insulating loft conversions

[hoppo4.2]

sorry for another question so quickley.

the house (1887 terraced) also had the loft converted in aprox 1940's. it has been done well with suported floor beams, a dromer window on one side and propper access stairs.

however the walls are constuced from T&G. so i have removed them to inspect the roof. seams to be orignal but in good nick. so as you might have guessed no insulation at all just slate.

i was thinking of using celotex type foam stuff with a vapour barrier then replacing the walls with plaster board.

however i have recently seen some spray foam type systems as used in places like canada. anyone got any experences of this type of stuff. ?

[herbialfa]

Have you checked the rest of the roof???

No point in insulating the dormer where the rest of the roof fails eh?

[herbialfa]

Sorry!

Never specified the foam type stuff. Speak to builing control and ask them what they would like to see using the stuff!

[hoppo4.2]

sorry if i didnt make it clear im looking to do the whole roof as it all has nothing.

also any one that knows would i ahve to apply for retrospective permision/regs on the conversion if i wanted to use it as a bed room? i take it these didnt matter way back when.

[herbialfa]

From what you are saying, you have no permission to use it as a Bedroom???

Then its a Regularisation application through Building Control.

Staircase is going to be a major factor that it complies.

[hoppo4.2]

i dont believe that permision was required when the conversion was carried out. not sure what requirements would need to be met but its all very well done.

any ideas what would be required?

[herbialfa]

Speak to Building Control!!!

Its said on here on a daily basis! They are not all nasty barstewards and should help you in the way forward!

[andye30m3]

herbialfa said:

From what you are saying, you have no permission to use it as a Bedroom???

If it was converted in the 40's it shouldn't be a problem at all, could speak to building control for some general advise but as it's an existing use they cannot make you bring it all the way up to current specs.

If I was you I look at using in the region of 100mm Kingspan or Celotex rigid insulation between the vertical studwork which form the walls and the roof joists (make sure you leave a 50mm air gap between the top of the insulation and the U/S of the roof finish.) then either just plasterboard finish or a thin layer of rigid insulation between the back of plasterboard and studwork.

The flat ceiling in the room could be done in the same way or if there's access to any remaining roof space 200-300mm quilt insulation would probably be better value.

Like wise the area between the eaves and the vertical walls (ceiling of the room below) could be insulated with 200-300mm quilt insulation.

[mk1fan]

I doubt the roof void will be 300mm thick.

If you're wanting to carry out the work from the inside then I'd strip all the platerboard/plaster and use a rigid board insulation - like Kinspan or Celotex - between the timber studs/rafters. Then fix a 1200 guage vapour barrier over the timbers and re-plasterboard.

If your planing to do it from the outside then I'd fix rigid board insulation over the studs/rafters then fix the roof coverings. 65mm Celotex over boarding should be sufficient. Then from the inside fix 65mm Celotex between the studs/rafters push firmly against the outside boards. This should leave a 30-50mm cavity between the studs. Again vapout barrier over and plasterboard.

[hoppo4.2]

Thanks for the responses guys.

Sounds like celotex it is. Any one no the best place to buy in the midlands area (Leicester).

I'll contact the buildings control people. See what they say.

Has no one got any experience with spray foam stuff?

[cjs]

The biggest problem with the spray foam is it locks all the tiles in place, if you need a re-roof, new valleys etc it makes it impossible to remove the tiles without wrecking the rest of the roof. Avoid if you can.

[herbialfa]

Try Buildbase or MKM

Even Ebay do deals on damaged boards etc.


Sat you got a sheet for £20. Phone the other traders out there and tell them the best price you could find was £18 can they beat it?????

Work out how many sheets you would need first.

I saved myself £4 a sheet last year by doing exactly this! Its a buyers market!!!!