Our Christmas decorations need a new home, the understairs cupboard is just too full. We have a small loft above our bedroom. The bedroom is in the roof space too, so the truss construction is different to a normal loft. The loft seems well ventilated and dry, just a bit dusty. I'm thinking I could just build a simple platform by running some 2 x 4 between the rafters (see second pic). The span is about 3m.
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Would it be ok to do this and not have an effect on the roof structure? Nothing too heavy will be stored up there
Similar problem here. I was going to go with https://www.lbsbmonline.co.uk/loft-ledge-truss-shelf-kit, metal shelving is likely lighter than a load of wood to form the supports, and at that price you can't go wrong really.
@rossburton those kits won't fit our roof truss construction. I may not even board the new joists out as the boxes will span the gaps
Your loft looks eerily like mine.
You'll lose a lot of volume if you raise the floor by that much, surely? If you are only storing stuff then the ceiling joists should be enough, especially if it's just old boxes and nothing heavy. That's what I have done. Plywood panels between the joists make it easier to place (small) stuff.
The ceiling joists actually do have a role in holding the roof together, though. I'm not sure if your proposed solution might actually put more stress on the roof itself. I certainly wouldn't be doing that without consulting someone who knew what they were doing.
If you fitted 'joists' between the rafters (where you're showing the platform) it would add to the roof strength - you could then sit a platform on top of those.
What you are proposing is tiny in terms of load compared to the wind/snow load those trusses are designed for (with z factor of safety of 2.5). Crack on.
You may find they are supporting a water tank elsewhere too with no additional build up.
I say crack on. You should see the rubbish stored in our loft, plus 100kg of me walking round trying to find stuff. House has not collapsed yet.
If you fitted ‘joists’ between the rafters (where you’re showing the platform) it would add to the roof strength – you could then sit a platform on top of those.
That's what I was trying to show in my second image. I'll just add another "joist" to each truss at the height where the lines are. I might board it out or just sit the boxes on top of the new joists. Depends on the cost of the boards really
Wickes do a tongue and groove loft board triple pack 1200mm x 300mm (per board) I think that you could use on top of the new joists.
