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Boarding & Plastering the Loft

By: Emma Eilbeck BA (hons) - Updated: 7 Dec 2017 | comments*Discuss
 
Loft Boards Loft Conversion Loft

Whether you’re trying to design a nursery or a modern day study then you will need to use some form of loft boards when constructing your loft conversion.

Why Use Plasterboard?

Plasterboard is one of the simplest ways to get a smooth just plastered look without all the sweat and hard work. Plasterboards aren’t always described as the most reliable of structures but plasterboard should be sufficient when you are building your loft conversion. If you have something extravagant planned for your loft other than your average bedroom or study you may want to get a professional builders advice about whether you will need something sturdier such and other types of loft boards, or a cement wall.

Putting up the Plasterboard

It is a good idea to try and convince a friend to help you out with putting up the loft boards as it will save time and effort and make the job that bit more enjoyable. Plasterboard is sensitive stuff and if you pull it the wrong way it is likely to snap in two, so when carrying the board it is best to treat it like you are carrying a pane of glass, liable to smash at any moment. It is a good idea to cut the plasterboard before you take it up to the loft, as it will be less to carry and easier.

Once you have the boards cut into size you will need to position them correctly onto the stud wall, which will be in your loft. Plasterboard will come in all sorts of different sizes, but for cladding your stud wall the standard size sheets should be adequate depending on how big your loft conversion is.

Your first job should be to measure the distance between the loft flooring and the ceiling, you should allow yourself some extra space, roughly a one inch gap for anything that may go wrong, it’s better to have some spare loft board compared to not enough, you can always cover any left over board with the skirting board which you can put above the loft flooring.

You should cut the plasterboard by sawing through the back of the board being careful not to snap the board accidentally.

The best type of saw you can use is a fine toothed saw, this will allow you to cut the board more accurately and give you more control.

Before you start attach the loft boards to the studs wall you should make sure you have remembered to cut in place any holes you will need, for things such as sockets and electrical wires that you will want installed in your loft conversion.

You should use special plasterboard nails to fit the board and make sure these are about six inches apart, if you are working with a friend try and get them to hold the board still at this point so you can accurately hammer in the nails to the board.

Before you install all the boards you will need to install installation behind the plasterboard to make sure that the heat is trapped. The best time to do this is after you have fitted the first wall and before you fit the others

Fitting the plasterboard to your stud wall in your loft conversion can be done yourself, but if you are not DIY minded it might be a good idea to call in the professionals.

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hi can I just Batton the loft on top of the existing joist.?
woody - 7-Dec-17 @ 8:04 AM
Hi Emma, very helpful article on plastering. Thanks:)
John - 16-Sep-15 @ 9:52 AM
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