Can you store things on top of loft insulation?

Answer. Squashing the insulation will reduce its effectiveness and could put undesirable pressure on the ceilings. Consider fitting metal struts called 'Loft Legs' to the joists to support ply or chipboard panels to form a storage platform above the insulation.

Can you store things on attic insulation?

If you plan to store any temperature-sensitive items, it's best to forget about your attic and go for climate-controlled storage space. While you can always add insulation, the difference in temperature doesn't make it worth the effort. If it's not done properly, it can also cause issues with the ventilation.

Is it safe to store items in the loft?

It may be a convenient storage spot, but it's not safe for everything. Even though your loft is great for storage, it could damage certain belongings due to extreme temperature fluctuations.

Can I put boards on top of loft insulation?

Do not install boards on joists or trusses. This is one of the biggest mistakes you can make when installing boards above your loft insulation. Boarding directly onto joists and/or trusses would mean having reduced insulation or squashing of insulation between the joists.

What should not be stored in an attic?

Testing The Burn Ability Of Insulation In Wall

How much can you store in a loft?

As a general rule we recommend storing no more than 50Kg per square metre to avoid overloading the roof structure. As we've touched upon above, this is why boarding it is so important!

How do you store things in the loft?

Can you put boards over insulation in attic?

Since the insulation is in the floor of the attic, you will need to add insulation to the rafters as well, so as to make the attic space into usable living space. That will then have to be covered over with drywall or paneling and finished.

Can you board straight onto loft joists?

Can I Board directly onto joists? The simple answer is no. The most common joist heights in use in modern properties are between 75mm and 100mm.

What happens if you compress loft insulation?

Ask the insulation manufacturers how performance is diminished if the insulation is squashed and they will simply tell you that it's an abuse of the product to squash it, which is correct. But, in both the residential and non-residential sectors, insulation is regularly squashed.

Will clothes go Mouldy in loft?

However, if clothes are left in a moist environment for an extended period of time, mould will grow and destroy them. If they are put in the attic, it's important to keep them in an airtight plastic container.

Can you store pictures in the attic?

DON'T: Store photos in a basement, attic, or garage where temperatures and humidity fluctuate with the change of seasons or reach extreme highs. DO: Store photos in closets, cabinets, or under the bed. These locations, being part of your living quarters, will be climate controlled.

How do I prevent mold in my loft?

Can you store boxes on insulation?

Many of us store old bits and pieces in the loft like luggage and Christmas decorations, but one of the biggest problems is storing these on wool insulation in the loft. For one, boxes will compress the insulation, making it less effective in terms of energy savings.

Can you store Christmas decorations in the attic?

Holiday Decorations

"Holiday decorations can be damaged by the extreme heat in attics," says Santoro. "Delicate fabrics and items that are painted are particularly prone to damage when stored in the attic," and plastic decorations, like ornaments, may melt or warp in the heat.

Can I store stuff in my garage attic?

To answer your question, the garage attic is not a good area for storage. First a truss, a manufactured roof system, is designed to support the roofing above and the ceiling below. If the attic is to be used for storage, the truss would have to be designed for the additional weight.

Can the loft take my weight?

Will the boards bear my weight? A properly boarded loft, with the boards laid over joists in good condition, will be completely secure. It will easily take the weight of boxes, packing cases and even some items of storage furniture, and will bear the weight of anyone accessing what's stored there.

Can I board my loft and use it as a bedroom?

Can I board my loft and use it as a bedroom? If you're converting your loft into an extra bedroom, or a room that is considered a living space, the work will have to meet the government's Building Regulations. The room must be accessible via a permanent staircase and must have the correct fire regulations.

How much weight can attic joists support?

Attic Joists for Live Loads

In many cases, ceiling joists for dead loads are designed to carry 10 pounds per square foot (psf), as opposed to the 40 or greater psf that live-load joists must carry.

Can you squash loft insulation?

Don't squash the insulation as this can reduce its thermal performance by over 50%. Don't install loft boards directly to joists or trusses. Don't remove any insulation as this can reduce the thermal performance of the loft.

Why do things go Mouldy in the loft?

The most common causes of mould are high moisture content in the air, and a lack of ventilation within the property. For this particular customer, there had been a water leak within the space and inadequate ventilation in the attic as well as over insulating the area, which led to the mould growing in the loft space.

How can I protect things in my attic?

Unless you're sure the space is sealed up tight, keep those products out of the attic. Pack your storage items into sturdy, plastic boxes with snug-fitting lids, not in cardboard. The plastic bins will protect them better. Other good options: ceramic, glass, metal and other containers that are non-biodegradable.

How much weight can loft legs take?

Though loft legs can support high weights up to 500kg we would recommend no more than 50kg per m² due to load bearing characteristics of a loft.

How much weight can a loft joist take?

Typically the joists in a loft will support about 40kg/m2 of weight so providing you're storing less than this you won't need to do any additional work to strengthen the joists.