Reinforcing Floor Joists For Loft Conversion

6 loft conv rev 2 2007 support to loadbearing elements transferred from the roof partitions and the new floor.

Reinforcing floor joists for loft conversion.

The new floor joists of your loft conversion will need to offer at least 30 minutes worth of fire protection which could mean replastering the ceilings in those first floor rooms below. So i m moving into a new property soon and i m looking at making use of the loft as it s a pretty decent size and i need a place for a workshop activities room. A new floor system is installed using a frame trimmer joists to support the floor joists that span the width of the loft. The joists span 20 and are 16 on center.

Loft conversions can i just lay loft boards down on my joists or will i need reinforcement on the joists. There are many ways of altering roof structures for loft conversions but they all have one common element the ceiling joists will almost certainly be inadequate as floor joists. The loft room will also have to be separated by a fire door either at the top or bottom of the new stairs. Clearing the loft area of all debris insulation struts and temporary boards to expose the ceiling boards.

Each joist is connected by a vertical 2x4 to the roof rafter above it positioned about 4 from the wall. 3 3 in the majority of instances the existing ceiling joist member will be inadequate for the imposed loadings from the new floor construction. I suspect that the depth of the loft floor rafters are only 90mm. This means that new floor joists are fitted alongside them slightly raised above the ceiling plasterboard to avoid contact with it.

A basic floor system is installed in about 10 stages from preparation to boarding the floor. How to reinforce an attic floor with sister joists. There is a 1 2 plywood sub floor on top of the joists. Clear the joist spaces.