Insulating a somewhat-floored small attic

MichaelR

Hello,

We have a house that includes a converted garage. The conversion was done in the 90s by the previous owners. We made a part of it a bedroom and now need to make it warmer.

The converted garage has an A-like slated roof, so there is an attic under it (quite separate from the main attic of the house, which is already insulated). There was no insulation in the small garage attic.

But there was a kind of flooring. Big old doors are resting on the joists. Not nailed down, just lying there.

Removing these doors would be very hard. They are large and the hatch is quite small. I would need to cut them into small pieces with a handsaw. (I do not think it would be safe to use a chainsaw inside a small attic, especially since I have no experience).

Is it ok to stick fiberglass between the joists(by moving the doors around), let the doors rest where they were on the joists, and then roll out more fiberglass over the doors?

Some notes:
- We do not plan any storage or other use there, just need to insulate
- There are some vents as I have noticed daylight coming in through them

Carlosthejakal

Yes you can just move the doors around and lay the insulation down between the joists.

MichaelR

And then lay more of it over the dors? Just between the joists is not enough.

VladamirP

MichaelR wrote: »

And then lay more of it over the dors? Just between the joists is not enough.

Just move the doors about so you can get the entire ceiling below covered with insulation between the joists, I wouldn't put it over the doors, is there enough space to stand the door up on it's edge and rest it against the beams?

I wouldn't go using a chainsaw in the attic, if the fumes don't kill you the chainsaw or you might, use a circular saw.

MichaelR

I don't think the insulation will be enough if I just put it between the joists. I alreadystuck in 10 cm there and while it's not chock full everywhere, adding 10 cm more would definitely squish it, and it's not as useful when squished for all I know. I realy want to put 20 cm over it, above the joists - which seems to mean above the doors? Or is there a problem I get if I put it above the doors?

And I don't think there is enough room to stand all the doors up at the same time, though I might possibly put one or two up. If you mean put it up vertically and run a saw through it, repeat with next - yes, that's doable, but it would take me very long to cut up all doors in long vertical cuts with a handsaw. A hand-held circular saw... might work but I'm quite afraid it would slip and destroy either my arm or the roof or the ceiling.

Water John

I think what you plan to do is fine. Do between the joists and then on top of doors. Don't bother cutting. Will prevent anyone putting their leg through the ceiling.

VladamirP

Water John wrote: »

I think what you plan to do is fine. Do between the joists and then on top of doors. Don't bother cutting. Will prevent anyone putting their leg through the ceiling.

Agreed.

spongbob

Dont mean to high jack your tread fella, I just have a question. I was looking at the b and q, rolls of insulation today, 100 mil or something, It's down to 11 euro a roll down from 23, I a wondering is it any good for the price or is It a lower quality brand ?? It's sounds to cheap?

MichaelR

I'm actually using those very B&Q rolls.

VladamirP

spongbob wrote: »

Dont mean to high jack your tread fella, I just have a question. I was looking at the b and q, rolls of insulation today, 100 mil or something, It's down to 11 euro a roll down from 23, I a wondering is it any good for the price or is It a lower quality brand ?? It's sounds to cheap?

€11 a roll is a good price, same stuff, different wrapper.