Loft space storage

[Fnaar]

I bet Miss Goodbody's had a good rummage around in the things you've kept hidden and unused for years?

Well, on occasion, she's cast her eyes over my knick-knacks. Coincidentally, she informs me that she's been inspecting the Vicar's curios all afternoon.

 

[Slick]

Haha, can't help it, I think it comes of years of having nothing and I've come to hate today's throw away society. Mrs Slick on the other hand is very much a minimalist. I think it comes of years of being spoiled and getting everything she wants.

 

[threebikesmcginty]

Just be careful how much crap you pile up there, the joists might not be designed to take a huge weight (the crap that is not necessarily you). Don't take any insulation out unless you want a colder house and higher heating bills.

 

[tyred]

I am a self-confessed hoarder and am trying to downsize my collection. It is difficult. It's why I have decided to follow the minimalistic approach where possible from now on and having spent ages sorting through books, clothes, CDs, records, tapes, video tapes, DVDs, car parts, bike parts, computer parts and God only knows what else I would recommend the minimalistic approach to everyone else too!

 

[User482]

Fill to the depth of the existing joists with insulation. Lay new joists at right angles then fill again. Fit loft boards over the top. Remember to not bury any cables.

 

[PaulSB]

IME there is no safe method of avoiding crap build up - even the stuff relocated to the garage/garden shed is liable to the "where have YOU put MY xxxxxx?" inquiry. This is always followed by varying levels of disapproval.

The solution to loft clearance is to wait for your wife/partner to retire. Again IME the first few weeks of her retirement will be spent clearing the loft and cupboards while asking/musing on "why did WE keep all this stuff?"

Avoiding the obvious answer to this question is highly advisable!!

Our converted loft space - done years ago as an extra bedroom with cupboard storage under the eaves - is no longer a dumping ground but has become a useful space. Mini discotheque, sewing room and generally useful space. Our books in bookcases, CDs, cassette tapes and albums accessible. For £50 in Help The Aged we picked up a classic working stereo system stack - turntable, CD player, dual tape player, radio tuner, amp and speakers with the bare wires which shove in the back. The sort of thing one spent a year saving up for in one's youth has become someone else's junk and our proud new poession giving the excuse for much youthful leaping around!!!

 

[Cycleops]

If you can put stuff in a loft or wherever and forget about it then you don't need it. The answer is here:
http://www.becomingminimalist.com/what-is-minimalism/

 

[hopless500]

Cat boxes, suitcases and Christmas decorations are pretty much the only items stored in our loft.

 

[threebikesmcginty]

You need

and some

You'll thank me later when you don't end up with an attic full of crap.

I'm not convinced setting fire to your own loft is great idea.

 

[Electric_Andy]

I did mine a couple years ago. Loft stilts were not required, plenty of room to put 2 layers of insulation in (taking the old stuff out first). The loft is now entirely full of junk that my Mrs insists will get used again. I bet we could burn 70%, give away 10% to charity shops and the remaining 10% would be christmas decorations etc.

So, it's a great idea to make more space but careful not to fill it up!

 

[Chromatic]

I did mine a couple years ago. Loft stilts were not required, plenty of room to put 2 layers of insulation in (taking the old stuff out first). The loft is now entirely full of junk that my Mrs insists will get used again. I bet we could burn 70%, give away 10% to charity shops and the remaining 10% would be christmas decorations etc.

So, it's a great idea to make more space but careful not to fill it up!

You could sell 10% and use the proceeds for some maths lessons.

 

[User482]

[QUOTE 4584882, member: 9609"]we had our loft re-insulated under a gov scheme and the professionals just buried all the cables under the insulation, so much of our upstairs wiring is now now sandwiched mid may between 10" of rockwool. They told me that was perfectly normal! We have nothing upstairs that uses high current for any length of time so I'm not bothered but all the same I would guess the capacity of the cables must have been reduced.

As for clearing junk out of the loft, ours was full of rubbish that was binned off for the re-insulation, that was about 8 years ago and we haven't missed any of it yet.[/QUOTE]

I left the cables above the insulation but underneath the loft boards. I re-used the insulation that had been put down under a council scheme - moving that around was not a pleasant job, and required goggles, mask and a paper suit.

 

[lutonloony]

I wasn't sure if these stilts were a joke or not.

I might have a proper look as I have a similar situation here and a garage that I can't fit a car into.

Pretty sure putting the car in the loft will not work

 

[Electric_Andy]

You could sell 10% and use the proceeds for some maths lessons.

haha well spotted!

 

[tyred]

I'm not convinced setting fire to your own loft is great idea.

Check your insurance policy first