There are number of things that you have to carefully consider when installing loft flooring. Flooring your loft is no easy task. In fact, this job often calls for the expertise of professional contractors. But of course, hiring professionals would mean you need to pay for their labor which can rack up renovation costs.
Lofts are the extra spaces located directly underneath the roof or above the ceilings. That said, the joists present in this area are not designed to hold heavy loads. If you plan to convert your lofts or attics into a functional storage area or another usable room, you need to give careful attention to its floor integrity, construction stability, longevity and safety. On that regard, you have to carefully examine how you should improve the overall structure of your loft space. To do that, you have to first decide on the function that the loft will have to serve. Will it be used as a bedroom, an additional storage space, or a living room extension?
In case, you want to convert it into a guest room, then you might need to reinforce its existing joists with additional supporting structures to boost its structural integrity. You will need to add more joists and metal framing so your loft would be able to sustain the added weight of the equipments and furniture that will be placed on it. Additionally, the joists will also come in handy when attaching an aluminum or timber loft ladder intended for convenient loft access.
Apart from the structural reinforcements, you also need to consider the insulation underneath the loft’s actual flooring. Make sure that you cover the whole space with efficient insulation materials before you begin with the flooring installation. Insulation is important to ensure that you won’t rack up your energy cost. You should also add soundproofing materials to prevent unnecessary sound or noise from penetrating your loft floors.
Before you begin this project, it would be a good idea to check with your municipality regarding the implemented building codes to ensure that you will be able to fully comply with them. It is critical that you re-route electrical wiring, pipes, and drain lines as necessary before you add the sub-floor. Most importantly, be sure to pre-treat the loft floor that you will be installing to protect it against rot and insect infestation.