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https://www.askthetrades.co.uk/cgi-bin/yabb/YaBB.pl DIY Forum >> Carpentry Questions >> what is 'loose boarding' https://www.askthetrades.co.uk/cgi-bin/yabb/YaBB.pl?num=1260669548 Message started by jc808 on Dec 13^th, 2009, 1:59am

Title: what is 'loose boarding'
Post by jc808 on Dec 13^th, 2009, 1:59am

hi

i want to convert my attic space into a light storage room

i will be adding a retractable ladder, and just keeping a few old boxes/ cases/ etc up there

most councils let you board between 10 to 50 percent of attic space without building control (want to avoid building control as i dont have the money to draw up plans/ apply etc)

my question is what is 'loose boarding' (councils like to refer to it, but not define it), can the boarding itself be screwed/ nailed to the joists without contravening the regs or does it have to be literally 'loose boards' (wouldve thought that'd be a bit dangerous!!)

thanks for any help

Title: Re: what is 'loose boarding'
Post by big_all on Dec 13^th, 2009, 11:57am

a new one on me ::)

do you own it or council owned!!

Title: Re: what is 'loose boarding'
Post by Joiner on Dec 13^th, 2009, 1:09pm

Never heard the expression either, Al. :-?

And unless you're intending to fully convert your loft as a habitable space you DO NOT need BC approval, you CAN board it out with FIXED boards. ;D

If you're intending to use it for long-term storage then insulate it as a warm roof. You can find all the information you'll need to do that properly and maintain a good airflow between and across the rafters by just googling "warm roof insulation".

Title: Re: what is 'loose boarding'
Post by jc808 on Dec 13^th, 2009, 1:11pm

big_all wrote on Dec 13^th, 2009, 11:57am:

a new one on me ::)

do you own it or council owned!!

owned by me

Title: Re: what is 'loose boarding'
Post by jc808 on Dec 13^th, 2009, 2:00pm

http://www.google.co.uk/search?hl=en&safe=off&client=firefox-a&rls=org.mozilla%3Aen-US%3Aofficial&hs=059&q=%22loose+boarding%22+decorations&btnG=Search&meta=&aq=f&oq=

if you google 'loft boarding' youll see the majority of uk councils say you can only board between 10 to fifty percent of usable (1.5m headroom or above) space
phoned my local councils building control who didnt seem to have much of a clue

sod it i may just board it out if it becomes a problem on selling ill just rip it up again - would be nice to expect a straight no nonsense answer from a council but shouldve known

thanks for the advice :)

Title: Re: what is 'loose boarding'
Post by londonman on Dec 13^th, 2009, 3:20pm

Why not screw them down with a bit of silicon on the threads. That way if some jobsworth kicks up you can easily remove the screws.

Title: Re: what is 'loose boarding'
Post by Joiner on Dec 13^th, 2009, 3:23pm

That's a surprising link! Thanks for that. You live and learn.

I can see their point, but it does rather depend on WHERE you board it out. Boarding 50% of it means that it's going to be either down the middle or up one end anyway, which is going to put a localised stress on the joists, doing as much as you can reach and using proper loft boards fixed to the joists spreads the load, as long as you're not tempted to go silly with the new-found space.

As my reply infers, I've yet to meet any BCO who, as you've discovered, gives a toss either way if you're not going to LIVE up there.

And, as you say, what they don't know won't hurt them. ;)

Title: Re: what is 'loose boarding'
Post by big_all on Dec 13^th, 2009, 8:10pm

ok my usual advice is

light storage only any thing with any weight stored on a board over a wall undertneath [2ft either side]
also go for around the edge with nothing stored mid span with walking avoiding mid span iff possible
better to walk on a fully secured board as it spreads the load around

i would give the "loose board " comments little attention as it seems to be guidance and not part off the regulations

Title: Re: what is 'loose boarding'
Post by CWatters on Dec 13^th, 2009, 8:26pm

My guess is they want the boards loose (not screwed down) so it's easier for the council to come along and lift them to insulate ?

Title: Re: what is 'loose boarding'
Post by Joiner on Dec 13^th, 2009, 9:14pm

I think it's probably more to do with what Al suggests, to keep down the amount of stuff stored up there.