Installing loft storage panels

[GarraGee]

I'm fitting a loft ladder shortly - in preparation for that I am laying some chipboard panels 320mm x 1220mm over the joists.

http://www.wickes.co.uk/Wickes-Chipboar ... 3/p/116420

The instructions say to lay in a staggered pattern. I just wonder why? - it's a small area, probably less than 2.5sq.mm and the boards will be laid at right angles to the joists and all the joints will be over a joist.

Also, just having a bit of a moan.......... some 1.5 t&e lighting cables in the area have been run on top of the joists. I can move them to the side of the joists and will mark the boards for future reference................BUT why would someone do this, it just makes them so prone to damage :

Thanks

GG

[bungeejumper]

it's a small area, probably less than 2.5sq.mm

I reckon you'll be needing a magnifying glass, then.

WRT running cables over the joists, I have a dim recollection that you're not supposed to allow them to be covered up by the loft insulation. Fire risk, apparently. I can see the logic of not allowing connector boxes, etc, to be covered by insulation, but I'd have thought that uninterrupted cable runs would surely have been safe?

BJ

[GarraGee]

Yes, magnifying glass at the ready

I'll have to check further.

Thanks

GG

[redsturgeon]

I'm fitting a loft ladder shortly - in preparation for that I am laying some chipboard panels 320mm x 1220mm over the joists.

http://www.wickes.co.uk/Wickes-Chipboar ... 3/p/116420

The instructions say to lay in a staggered pattern. I just wonder why? - it's a small area, probably less than 2.5sq.mm and the boards will be laid at right angles to the joists and all the joints will be over a joist.

Also, just having a bit of a moan.......... some 1.5 t&e lighting cables in the area have been run on top of the joists. I can move them to the side of the joists and will mark the boards for future reference................BUT why would someone do this, it just makes them so prone to damage :

Thanks

GG

I think that staggering the joints is just generally good practice. It may not make a difference but might result in a more rigid installation.

John

[GarraGee]

Thanks for all the comments in such a short time.

Fortunately, there's only a small amount of cabling, so I will just keep that area clear of insulation.

FWIW, this thread is interesting:

http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/sho ... p?t=606627

Also, just noticed that some cable has been clipped to the top of a joist - that, to me, is really careless. If I can't run it somewhere else, I'll have to raise the boards somehow.

Happy New Year.

GG

[staffordian]

Also, just noticed that some cable has been clipped to the top of a joist - that, to me, is really careless. If I can't run it somewhere else, I'll have to raise the boards somehow.

Is it possible to cut a small notch across the top of the joist to run the cable through, to avoid having to raise the boards?

Staffordian

[GarraGee]

Is it possible to cut a small notch across the top of the joist to run the cable through, to avoid having to raise the boards?

Yes, I think so. This is what I will aim for.

GG

Moderator Message:
Slightly reformatted - Chris

[GarraGee]

Sorry, I haven't got the gist of the formatting options