Can I add loft floorboards (for storage) even though the insulation will be less than the recommended 270mm?

Question

I am new to the home improvement game. My loft has joists that are 100mm high, with 100mm blanket insulation between them. I would like to add chipboard flooring so that the loft can be used for storage.

However, I have read that lofts are supposed to have 270mm thick insulation (i.e. theoretically I should add 170mm blanket insulation at right angles to the joists and the current insulation). If I do this though, I won't be able to nail boards down as there will be nothing to secure them too.

If I keep the insulation as is and add the boards, will I cause problems for myself when I come to sell (i.e. will it become law to have a certain depth of insulation)? Can someone who understands this stuff please help? Thanks.

Answer 1

you can purchase insulation from b/q which i bought (a bit more expensive ) it is made up from different types of layers that only needs to be 100mm try to check it out on there web site

Answer 2

If the boards squash down the insulation to the height of the joists it will lose most of its insulating value. That will show up in your heating bill even before you to to sell the place.

You might be better off hanging support for that chipboard from the rafters so it will not rest on the joists and ruin the insulation.

You might also see if there is a higher R-value insulation that would be equivalent in insulating capability to the 270mm insulation while only being 100mm high. Then the problem will go away.

Answer 3

You can use a polyurethane based insulation that requires much less to give the same value. I don't remember for sure but it would probably only take about 1/3 as much thickness as the blanket insulation.

Answer 4

You can add to the top of your roof joists, at 90 degrees, in order to give youself the added depth and extra insulation. Then add the flooring to the top of those.

Answer 5

add insulation to your roof joists that will leave you enough room to floor your loft

Answer 6

If you resell and it doesn't meet local building code a buyer will more then likely want to knock off the price to cover bringing it to code or may require you to do it before they buy.