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Flooring an attic

  • 25-06-2020 9:43pm
    #1
    Ari Wide Scumbag
    Posts: 4,186 ✭✭✭ Ari Wide Scumbag


    Hi all,

    The folks have asked me to floor their attic, it's purely to have more storage space not to create a room or anything.

    The mother priced up attic boards and they seem stupid money so I was just going to buy ply or chipboard and floor it out.

    Which would be better, obviously chipboard would be lighter but I'm not sure, any ideas..

    The only weight that's gona be on it is Christmas decorations and empty suitcases etc, no massive weight.

    When the mother went to builders depots and gave them the size of the attic they said 500 quid using attic flooring boards, I reckon I can do it was cheaper using ply or chipboard..

    Thanks
    Dave


Comments

  • #2
    Lumen
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 31,180 ✭✭✭✭Lumen


    Your options depend on the size of the attic hatch.


  • #3
    Ari Wide Scumbag
    Posts: 4,186 ✭✭✭ Ari Wide Scumbag


    Lumen wrote: »
    Your options depend on the size of the attic hatch.

    They don't cause I will just use a skill saw to chop the 8*4 sheets in half so they fit so the hatch doesn't affect my plans at all regards sheeting I use.

    Basically just wondering whether ply or chipboard will be better.. not worried about what I can get through the hatch I will sort that


  • #4
    dodzy
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 10,101 ✭✭✭✭dodzy


    Leah Victorious Prize wrote: »
    They don't cause I will just use a skill saw to chop the 8*4 sheets in half so they fit so the hatch doesn't affect my plans at all regards sheeting I use.

    Basically just wondering whether ply or chipboard will be better.. not worried about what I can get through the hatch I will sort that

    8X4 sheets of 18mm OSB. Cut to size.


  • #5
    Class MayDresser
    Closed Accounts Posts: 395 ✭✭Class MayDresser


    Any thoughts on counter battening it? Many cables around?


  • #6
    Ari Wide Scumbag
    Posts: 4,186 ✭✭✭ Ari Wide Scumbag


    Class MayDresser wrote: »
    Any thoughts on counter battening it? Many cables around?

    There's few cables not a crazy amount, unfortunately they run over the beams so I'm just going to notch them out so I can board over

    Not looking for perfection just a quick job tbh


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  • #7
    Lumen
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 31,180 ✭✭✭✭Lumen


    Leah Victorious Prize wrote: »
    They don't cause I will just use a skill saw to chop the 8*4 sheets in half so they fit so the hatch doesn't affect my plans at all regards sheeting I use.

    That's fine as long as you're not fussed about using T&G.


  • #8
    Ari Wide Scumbag
    Posts: 4,186 ✭✭✭ Ari Wide Scumbag


    dodzy wrote: »
    8X4 sheets of 18mm OSB. Cut to size.

    Thanks

    You have actually prompted the question I was wondering.

    If I use osb board, is the purpose of this board to prevent air leaks and try to keep it insulated or because it's t and g does it mean you can just lay it and not worry about the sheets Lying straight on rafters?

    I don't understand it's purpose is it to keep it airtight and insulate the floor or because you can just throw the stuff down and not worry about landing on a beam..


  • #9
    Ari Wide Scumbag
    Posts: 4,186 ✭✭✭ Ari Wide Scumbag


    Lumen wrote: »
    That's fine as long as you're not fussed about using T&G.

    I'm not at all man, just skill saw it out and floor it in a few hours.


  • #10
    dodzy
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 10,101 ✭✭✭✭dodzy


    Leah Victorious Prize wrote: »
    Thanks

    You have actually prompted the question I was wondering.

    If I use osb board, is the purpose of this board to prevent air leaks and try to keep it insulated or because it's t and g does it mean you can just lay it and not worry about the sheets Lying straight on rafters?

    I don't understand it's purpose is it to keep it airtight and insulate the floor or because you can just throw the stuff down and not worry about landing on a beam..

    I did not suggest T&G and being honest, I would not be a fan of it in your case. If you ever need access, it's a potential nightmare as you wont be able to pop one board if needed. T&G has its place but not here. Regular 8x4 OSB is available without T&G.


  • #11
    tech
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,854 ✭✭✭tech


    You can get osb in 8x2 foot boards no cutting required. 15e a sheet


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  • #12
    stevek93
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,097 ✭✭✭stevek93


    I paid 450 to get mine floored it took them 4 to 5 hours and done an amazing job.


  • #13
    [Deleted User]
    Posts: 7,499 ✭✭✭ [Deleted User]


    If your laying floor right onto the rafters you don't have enough insulation


  • #14
    Pkiernan
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,310 ✭✭✭Pkiernan


    How big is the attic?

    You might not be able to DIY it cheaper than getting it done by the 'Pros'.


  • #15
    Dr_Colossus
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,172 ✭✭✭Dr_Colossus


    Leah Victorious Prize wrote: »
    Hi all,

    The folks have asked me to floor their attic, it's purely to have more storage space not to create a room or anything.

    The mother priced up attic boards and they seem stupid money so I was just going to buy ply or chipboard and floor it out.

    Which would be better, obviously chipboard would be lighter but I'm not sure, any ideas..

    The only weight that's gona be on it is Christmas decorations and empty suitcases etc, no massive weight.

    When the mother went to builders depots and gave them the size of the attic they said 500 quid using attic flooring boards, I reckon I can do it was cheaper using ply or chipboard..

    Thanks
    Dave

    Sounds like you're looking to floor about 35m2 based on above pricing which is a huge floor area just for storage. Is it an option to floor about 5-10m2 around the hatch since not looking to cross batten and overlay with additional insulation throughout.

    Would cut down the cost/time significantly, working in an attic at present in this heat is hard going.


  • #16
    Ari Wide Scumbag
    Posts: 4,186 ✭✭✭ Ari Wide Scumbag


    BrownFinger wrote: »
    If your laying floor right onto the rafters you don't have enough insulation

    The whole roof has been sprayed with foam insulation last year, it's like an oven up there so not worried about that.

    To the other posted it's a pretty big attic alright. I suppose I will have to price the wood up and see what option


  • #17
    Ari Wide Scumbag
    Posts: 4,186 ✭✭✭ Ari Wide Scumbag


    Dr_Colossus wrote: »
    Sounds like you're looking to floor about 35m2 based on above pricing which is a huge floor area just for storage. Is it an option to floor about 5-10m2 around the hatch since not looking to cross batten and overlay with additional insulation throughout.

    Would cut down the cost/time significantly, working in an attic at present in this heat is hard going.

    You are probably right , I don't think she realises how big the space is. No need for all that


  • #18
    Atlantic Dawn
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 84,052 ✭✭✭✭Atlantic Dawn
    M


    Is there a danger with flooring the entire thing that moisture will build up between the flooring and joists underneath?


  • #19
    Fabio
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,267 ✭✭✭Fabio


    Leave air gaps for circulation. If it's a big attic maybe don't do the whole thing, do they really need that amount of storage?

    I ended up ripping up T&G boards in my attic, they were compressing insulation right down. I kept a few for Christmas decorations and whatnot but my idea is to raise them so more insulation can be stuffed under them. You can buy plastic stilts for that in B&Q.


  • #20
    TheChizler
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 9,488 ✭✭✭TheChizler


    Leah Victorious Prize wrote: »
    The whole roof has been sprayed with foam insulation last year, it's like an oven up there so not worried about that.
    Even more reason to increase the ceiling insulation, the attic is hot because heat is escaping the living space.


  • #21
    stevek93
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,097 ✭✭✭stevek93


    BrownFinger wrote: »
    If your laying floor right onto the rafters you don't have enough insulation

    Yes my floor had to be raised about 2 to 3 inch.


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  • #22
    Junior Blue
    Registered Users Posts: 28 ✭Junior Blue


    slightly off topic, but has anyone installed an attic lift with a hoist ?


  • #23
    begbysback
    Closed Accounts Posts: 2,910 ✭✭✭begbysback


    Slightly off topic too, if I have floorboards in the attic and they are not great looking, can I just overlay with a new base and put new flooring down?


  • #24
    prochida
    Registered Users Posts: 80 ✭✭prochida


    I went the whole hog. Originally floored the usable area of the attic with attic boards but found that insulation was poor due to compressed rockwool. Overlaid this with an engineering board with 75mm polyurethane bonded to a attic board on top. Filled frame junctures with polyurethane pieces and non usable spaces with extra rockwool. The engineering boards were expensive ( ~€15) but bought only 2 or three at a time.


  • #25
    Quazzie
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 29,210 ✭✭✭✭Quazzie


    prochida wrote: »
    The engineering boards were expensive ( ~€15) but bought only 2 or three at a time.

    Where did you buy this, and do you have any link perhaps?


  • #26
    prochida
    Registered Users Posts: 80 ✭✭prochida


    cork builders providers but it was about 10 years ago


  • #27
    ozmo
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,886 ✭✭✭ozmo


    I used these - they have them on offer really cheap sometimes - think I got 2 for 1 offer on them.

    https://www.woodies.ie/3-pack-loft-boards-1065559

    The interlocking helps for the areas where the ends of the sheets are not exactly on the rafters - plain chipboard or plywood would be creaky here without extra supports.


    Does for boxes and suitcases - Someday I hope to do a better job - but our attic is full of those stupid triangular support beams everywhere making it not so useful a space.

    “Roll it back”



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