Hello Grant. I recently got into the 00 gauge hobby (Feb 2020) after retiring in November. I have decided that the only place for me to go is the loft and I'm currently in the clearing, dumping and sifting an accumulation of 3x kids and their toys, drawings, clothing, education books / folders. This has taken a lot longer due to my wife helping and reminiscing each box or sack we come across... Finding your videos this morning has been a god send. I was thinking of a Velux window and your video has convinced me it's essential. I had planned on painting the end wall of the loft space I've claimed but again your video has convince me to use plaster board... Thank you again for the video and I now know how far I have to go before I can start setting up my track... Regards Pete.
Thanks for the comment Pete, much appreciated! It's well worth the extra work (and expense!) to get your loft turned into a pleasant space thats nice to be in. However, be aware that when using the loft controlling the atmosphere, temperature & humidty, can be problematic! Good luck! Regards Grant.
You've done a grand job on the attic Grant, and thank you for making a video on how you've done it, our loft is very nearly the same, we just don't have the extra vertical joist so the inside area is nice and clear. and the skylight makes such a difference. keep up the great work mate, we're all going to enjoy your progress. Cheers, Mark.
Fantastic job Grant. Can you please explain a bit more about the air gap one has to have between the felt and the insulation to allow airflow. Thanks MB
Wow what a great start. Just come across your video as I am at the same point (almost). I had a Velux window fitted but now I am thinking that two might be better one on each side of the pitched roof. As you say they do make such a difference. I am returning after 40+ years away from the craft so gathering as much info as I can as soooooooo many changes since my day, static grass! for one. Will trawl through your build videos now.
As a builder I was impressed that you left a breather behind the insulation, that is very good advice, I have 50mm of xtratherm insulating mine and the difference it makes is well worth the cost, stays warm in the winter and does a good job of keeping out the heat in the summer
Thanks, appreciate the comment from a professional. Yes, it's good stuff if it's installed correctly. i used it first on another house & was impressed then.
Hi, as a builder can I ask something? I'm considering doing what this guy has done, but just put a layer of (say) 50mm insulation board on the underside of the rafters (not in-between though - too big a job). I'm curious to know how much difference it is likely to make to temperatures though, as I don't want to spend all that time and money if it doesn't do a great deal? My main concern is the summer heat, getting well over 30 at times! It is 15yo house with soffit vents all around, so plenty of ventilation. I realise a velux would be a huge help in summer but budget can't stretch to that! TIA.
I've seen so many videos now of outstanding model railways located in grim and untouched loft spaces. They must be freezing in winter and boiling in summer, and are dark and dingy with all that exposed black roofing felt. One thing I've learned from this is a little time and money to get the room habitable is definitely worth the investment!
Hi Al, i 100% agree, which is why i did what i did. now, even if i'm not specifically doing railway stuff, the loft space is a pleasant place to be! Regards, Grant.
Hi. Really enjoyed the video. I can fully identify with everything you say as I have done most of it myself. When I first went up into the loft it was just a filthy, neglected space. What you have to be careful of is that, once you turn that wasted space into a viable room, you then find that other members of the family suddenly find a use for it! In my case, my lovely wife wanted to install a massive trunk and storage boxes full of clothes. Now the clothes and costumes are taking over so I'm having to work around it all. No railway started yet, but have done a good job with the conversion of the loft, including strengthening the joists which I think is REALLY important! I'll look forward to seeing your progress in more videos. Best Regards, Geoff.
Thanks Geoff. Fortunately my wife doesn't like clutter & she was, in part, the driving force for throwing so much stuff away when I originally started to clear out the loft space, stuff i would probably have kept if left to my own devices!
fantastic ,another layout to watch being built from scratch . I have watched a load of channels over the last few years but this year ,must be something in the air. The hobby is really catching on again as there are so many layouts starting on youtube. Wish you all the best on the layout and can't wait to see it develop .
Thank you very much for the comment & you're right, there does seem to be a lot of new (or perhaps renewed) interest in the hobby & It's fantastic to watch a new layout develop. Grant
Have just come across your video. You are a man after my own heart! My available loft space is the same as yours. I too have put Velux windows to admit natural light. I extended my loft hatch and insulated with Cellotex (quite expensive), leaving an air gap between the insulation and roof felt. Eating the elephant just about covers it!
I've been racking my brains regarding a good space to start my model trains layout and so glad I came across this because I have very similair actic space with access from my garage. I'm a little concerned about heating and most importantely, air conditioning since I am in the deep south, but with portable solutions, this is probably easily solved. I have quie a bit of stuff to get rid of as well. Anyway thanks! Now I'll watch what you did!
Even though I'm in the NE, it gets uncomfortably warm in the summer so I installed a portable A/C unit which vents out through a special roof tile, which was easier to fit than I expected!
I have a timber build house and beams are a problem, in my loft layout, which is 16' long. I am partially sighted and everything is slow. My guide dog cannot get up either! I had to have my loft built for me. My layout is DCC ECoS.
Hello Grant, I'm in Northumberland and did my loft a while back, the temperatures seem to go from one extreme to the other! Looking forward to more videos, keep up the excellent work. Michael
Hi Grant, I seem to have a similar sized and shaped roof and have pretty much done the same thing. The velux really does make a world of difference as it's gone from a dark stuffy area to a lighter and much cooler environment to be in. Even with that insulation it still gets a little too toasty in the heights of summer but then again model railways is more of an ideal winter hobby anyway :) Cheers, Michael
I'm doing the same thing with my loft by having the baseboards round the outside of the timbers and trying to keep creatures and controlling the temperatures was impossible so I abandoned it and put the baseboards inside the timbers but lost a lot of space and the back ground was sloped so I abandoned that and altered the trusses in the loft into loft trusses so made a proper room about 7 1/2 foot by 15foot and insulated with kingspan and a layer of the same insulated material over the top to increase the rating ,been asked to do a video about so be nice to se how we both get on the best of luck mick.
Hi Grant Just found your site, you look to be doing a great job, will watch updates with interest, you are ahead of me, have the loft boarded and half the insulation in. But the wife keeps finding other jobs for me.
Searched out RUclips as this is pretty much what I am hoping to do also. I also hope to document it all in a similar way to what you have done. My present situation is that I am exactly in the same starting position as you. I have a loft full of long term stored items and loads of rubish. I don't have any power in the loft, nor do I have a proper access method. It's going to be interesting to do and I am looking forward to the challenge. I will probably start to record some video in the next week or so to start the process but I doubt the recording will be uploaded until about Nov 2018 as I will want to show some progress and as I say I have a lot to do. In the mean time I'll watch your videos and hope to pick up some tips and ideas along the way.
Thanks for the comment, much appreciated. There’s no rush, just do your own thing in your own time. RUclips is a tremendous resource for help & advice. Looking forward to seeing your plans develop.
I know I'm late to the party. I'm curious as to how that sheeting from screwfix has worked with regard to keeping the cold out and equally (when the sun appears) keeping the loft cooler? Thanks. I'm just contemplating using that foam board which is quite expensive.
It generally worked ok, the trick is fitting it properly, which i didn't always do! It needs to be snugly attached to the sides with a gap on both the front & back for airflow. The loft is probably one of the hardest places to maintain an even temperature & even though i used the foil, it was still very cold in the winter & very hot in the summer. i think if i'd taken more care with the fitting it would have helped reduce this-but only up to a point. Regards, Grant.
@@GrantWilliamsRailway Cheers Grant. I'm moving from the small bedroom into the attic. I did try in the attic 25 years ago but didn't insulate anything so the layout deteriated very quickly. I'm just watching a video of a guy fitting very thick foil to the rafters with staples. Rather than between it's going over the top. Easier to fit no doubt. Just looked on screwfix and it isn't cheap for the very thick stuff. Thanks for replying and good luck with the new location. I'll be watching how you get on.
Just to clarify, if youre using just the foil over the rafters you can put it on flat & then just tape up the joins with foil tape. you only need an air gap on both sides of the foil if you plan to board over the foil, like i did.
@@GrantWilliamsRailway I was looking at foil. So many different grades and they don't really tell you what grade you need. I don't want to go bare minimum as I want it to be a decent environment. More research required I think.
Cool. Building a layout in a loft adds a lot of weight with extra wood etc. Did you bother having your loft joists strengthened for the extra weight? That has always put me off the loft as I wouldnt want my bedroom ceilings falling in. If you have any advice that would be great.
The answer really depends on your loft & how its constructed. Generally (but not always), older houses are built of much more substantial timber & will take the extra weight without any problems. I'm sure I read somewhere (but don't quote me) that an average loft can take 25kg per square metre. The thing about the weight is that it is spread out over a large surface area, it isn't concentrated in one place (always a good idea to avoid this). You can also consider the position of any load bearing walls below. Sorry i can't help much more than that, if you have any doubts at all i would get a structural engineer to have a look, it's not worth the risk!
Hi Grant. That's an excellent start mate! Your loft is very similar to mine, except I have the gable end. Be careful with the floor beams in the loft, I overloaded mine and had to abandon the layout plans for up there. That thermometer is ace, where did you get that? I could do with one like that for the garage. Looking forward to watching your progress. Tom
Thanks for the comments & sub! i got the thermometer from Screwfix, item no. 35455. it's actually only special at the moment, two quid cheaper than when i bought it!
Great vid as I'm thinking of going attic. hope you dont mind me saying but some costs as you go along would have been a help too., that would help with the budgeting of the project, especially on a tight budget, thanks Grant
Thanks for the comment Roland. The loft was boarded to make storage space when we first moved in, about 20 years ago & I can't remember how much the boards were unfortunately. The foil insulation is about £107 a roll from Screwfix & I spent about £300 on extra wood. The Velux window was £830 fitted (a bit of a luxury) but you'll save about £250 - £300 if you fit it yourself, easier to do with a slate roof. When you add in all the other bits & pieces (paint & tools etc) its surprisingly expensive - and that's before i even bought one train! Getting the loft suitable for a layout is not the cheapest option but it probably yields the most space in a family home. One thing, don't forget to ensure your loft beams can take the weight before you start, it could prove costly later! Good luck!
Thanks Alan! I think it doesn't matter how much space you actually have because you'd always like a little bit more! I look at some of the modellers over the pond, with giant layouts in their basements & think, "if only". Have you seen Stephen Bennett's layout? It's pretty awesome & truly inspiring, his scenic detailing is superb.
Has anyone had to consider reinforcing the joists etc because of the weight? My plan is to remove all the stuff already in there, take floorboards out where I won't need them and the finished result will probably make a lighter load than is currently in there.
You have to be confidant that your loft can take the weight, if in doubt ask a structural engineer. Older house tend to be made with much sturdier beams!
Hi Andy, good question! It's now into the second winter & i would say that it has definitely helped but i think i could have made it better if i'd applied it with a little more care. For example, ensure that the insulation fully covers all the inside area & use foil tape to make good joins. Humidity has been a bigger problem but i have dehumidifier in the loft to try & keep everything within reasonable limits.
Hello Grant. I recently got into the 00 gauge hobby (Feb 2020) after retiring in November. I have decided that the only place for me to go is the loft and I'm currently in the clearing, dumping and sifting an accumulation of 3x kids and their toys, drawings, clothing, education books / folders. This has taken a lot longer due to my wife helping and reminiscing each box or sack we come across... Finding your videos this morning has been a god send. I was thinking of a Velux window and your video has convinced me it's essential. I had planned on painting the end wall of the loft space I've claimed but again your video has convince me to use plaster board... Thank you again for the video and I now know how far I have to go before I can start setting up my track...
Regards Pete.
Thanks for the comment Pete, much appreciated! It's well worth the extra work (and expense!) to get your loft turned into a pleasant space thats nice to be in. However, be aware that when using the loft controlling the atmosphere, temperature & humidty, can be problematic! Good luck!
Regards Grant.
You've done a grand job on the attic Grant, and thank you for making a video on how you've done it, our loft is very nearly the same, we just don't have the extra vertical joist so the inside area is nice and clear. and the skylight makes such a difference.
keep up the great work mate, we're all going to enjoy your progress. Cheers, Mark.
Fantastic job Grant. Can you please explain a bit more about the air gap one has to have between the felt and the insulation to allow airflow. Thanks MB
Wow what a great start. Just come across your video as I am at the same point (almost). I had a Velux window fitted but now I am thinking that two might be better one on each side of the pitched roof. As you say they do make such a difference. I am returning after 40+ years away from the craft so gathering as much info as I can as soooooooo many changes since my day, static grass! for one. Will trawl through your build videos now.
Thanks for watching! There's been quite a few changes in the years since i started doing videos!
As a builder I was impressed that you left a breather behind the insulation, that is very good advice, I have 50mm of xtratherm insulating mine and the difference it makes is well worth the cost, stays warm in the winter and does a good job of keeping out the heat in the summer
Thanks, appreciate the comment from a professional. Yes, it's good stuff if it's installed correctly. i used it first on another house & was impressed then.
Hi, as a builder can I ask something? I'm considering doing what this guy has done, but just put a layer of (say) 50mm insulation board on the underside of the rafters (not in-between though - too big a job). I'm curious to know how much difference it is likely to make to temperatures though, as I don't want to spend all that time and money if it doesn't do a great deal? My main concern is the summer heat, getting well over 30 at times! It is 15yo house with soffit vents all around, so plenty of ventilation. I realise a velux would be a huge help in summer but budget can't stretch to that! TIA.
I've seen so many videos now of outstanding model railways located in grim and untouched loft spaces. They must be freezing in winter and boiling in summer, and are dark and dingy with all that exposed black roofing felt. One thing I've learned from this is a little time and money to get the room habitable is definitely worth the investment!
Hi Al, i 100% agree, which is why i did what i did. now, even if i'm not specifically doing railway stuff, the loft space is a pleasant place to be!
Regards, Grant.
Hi. Really enjoyed the video. I can fully identify with everything you say as I have done most of it myself. When I first went up into the loft it was just a filthy, neglected space. What you have to be careful of is that, once you turn that wasted space into a viable room, you then find that other members of the family suddenly find a use for it! In my case, my lovely wife wanted to install a massive trunk and storage boxes full of clothes. Now the clothes and costumes are taking over so I'm having to work around it all. No railway started yet, but have done a good job with the conversion of the loft, including strengthening the joists which I think is REALLY important! I'll look forward to seeing your progress in more videos. Best Regards, Geoff.
Thanks Geoff. Fortunately my wife doesn't like clutter & she was, in part, the driving force for throwing so much stuff away when I originally started to clear out the loft space, stuff i would probably have kept if left to my own devices!
Related videos: Elephant uses car to scratch an itch. Lol. Great start to the layout. Can't wait to see how you progress. -Mark
fantastic ,another layout to watch being built from scratch . I have watched a load of channels over the last few years but this year ,must be something in the air. The hobby is really catching on again as there are so many layouts starting on youtube. Wish you all the best on the layout and can't wait to see it develop .
Thank you very much for the comment & you're right, there does seem to be a lot of new (or perhaps renewed) interest in the hobby & It's fantastic to watch a new layout develop.
Grant
Have just come across your video. You are a man after my own heart! My available loft space is the same as yours. I too have put Velux windows to admit natural light. I extended my loft hatch and insulated with Cellotex (quite expensive), leaving an air gap between the insulation and roof felt. Eating the elephant just about covers it!
I've been racking my brains regarding a good space to start my model trains layout and so glad I came across this because I have very similair actic space with access from my garage. I'm a little concerned about heating and most importantely, air conditioning since I am in the deep south, but with portable solutions, this is probably easily solved. I have quie a bit of stuff to get rid of as well. Anyway thanks! Now I'll watch what you did!
Even though I'm in the NE, it gets uncomfortably warm in the summer so I installed a portable A/C unit which vents out through a special roof tile, which was easier to fit than I expected!
I have a timber build house and beams are a problem, in my loft layout, which is 16' long. I am partially sighted and everything is slow. My guide dog cannot get up either! I had to have my loft built for me. My layout is DCC ECoS.
Hello Grant, I'm in Northumberland and did my loft a while back, the temperatures seem to go from one extreme to the other!
Looking forward to more videos, keep up the excellent work.
Michael
Great stuff, look forward to model plan, well done.
Hi Grant,
I seem to have a similar sized and shaped roof and have pretty much done the same thing. The velux really does make a world of difference as it's gone from a dark stuffy area to a lighter and much cooler environment to be in. Even with that insulation it still gets a little too toasty in the heights of summer but then again model railways is more of an ideal winter hobby anyway :)
Cheers, Michael
Thanks Michael, you're right about heat! Even with the insulation I've found it a little too hot some days to do anything too physical in the loft.
Great video and a lot of hard work to convert your loft. You've made a cracking job of it by the looks of your later video. cheers
I'm doing the same thing with my loft by having the baseboards round the outside of the timbers and trying to keep creatures and controlling the temperatures was impossible so I abandoned it and put the baseboards inside the timbers but lost a lot of space and the back ground was sloped so I abandoned that and altered the trusses in the loft into loft trusses so made a proper room about 7 1/2 foot by 15foot and insulated with kingspan and a layer of the same insulated material over the top to increase the rating ,been asked to do a video about so be nice to se how we both get on the best of luck mick.
Hi Grant
Just found your site, you look to be doing a great job, will watch updates with interest, you are ahead of me, have the loft boarded and half the insulation in. But the wife keeps finding other jobs for me.
Searched out RUclips as this is pretty much what I am hoping to do also. I also hope to document it all in a similar way to what you have done. My present situation is that I am exactly in the same starting position as you. I have a loft full of long term stored items and loads of rubish. I don't have any power in the loft, nor do I have a proper access method. It's going to be interesting to do and I am looking forward to the challenge. I will probably start to record some video in the next week or so to start the process but I doubt the recording will be uploaded until about Nov 2018 as I will want to show some progress and as I say I have a lot to do. In the mean time I'll watch your videos and hope to pick up some tips and ideas along the way.
Thanks for the comment, much appreciated.
There’s no rush, just do your own thing in your own time. RUclips is a tremendous resource for help & advice. Looking forward to seeing your plans develop.
Brilliant
nice job of the attic i look forward to watching your progress on the rest of your videos and ive subscribed to your channel keep up for good work
Cheers! I've subbed to your channel & started catching up on your videos - you've done a lot!
My loft is full of wood braces and right in what would be the most usable area are two great big water tanks! Back to the spare room for me......
I know I'm late to the party. I'm curious as to how that sheeting from screwfix has worked with regard to keeping the cold out and equally (when the sun appears) keeping the loft cooler? Thanks. I'm just contemplating using that foam board which is quite expensive.
It generally worked ok, the trick is fitting it properly, which i didn't always do! It needs to be snugly attached to the sides with a gap on both the front & back for airflow. The loft is probably one of the hardest places to maintain an even temperature & even though i used the foil, it was still very cold in the winter & very hot in the summer. i think if i'd taken more care with the fitting it would have helped reduce this-but only up to a point. Regards, Grant.
@@GrantWilliamsRailway Cheers Grant. I'm moving from the small bedroom into the attic. I did try in the attic 25 years ago but didn't insulate anything so the layout deteriated very quickly. I'm just watching a video of a guy fitting very thick foil to the rafters with staples. Rather than between it's going over the top. Easier to fit no doubt. Just looked on screwfix and it isn't cheap for the very thick stuff.
Thanks for replying and good luck with the new location. I'll be watching how you get on.
Just to clarify, if youre using just the foil over the rafters you can put it on flat & then just tape up the joins with foil tape. you only need an air gap on both sides of the foil if you plan to board over the foil, like i did.
@@GrantWilliamsRailway I was looking at foil. So many different grades and they don't really tell you what grade you need. I don't want to go bare minimum as I want it to be a decent environment. More research required I think.
Cool. Building a layout in a loft adds a lot of weight with extra wood etc. Did you bother having your loft joists strengthened for the extra weight? That has always put me off the loft as I wouldnt want my bedroom ceilings falling in. If you have any advice that would be great.
The answer really depends on your loft & how its constructed. Generally (but not always), older houses are built of much more substantial timber & will take the extra weight without any problems. I'm sure I read somewhere (but don't quote me) that an average loft can take 25kg per square metre. The thing about the weight is that it is spread out over a large surface area, it isn't concentrated in one place (always a good idea to avoid this). You can also consider the position of any load bearing walls below.
Sorry i can't help much more than that, if you have any doubts at all i would get a structural engineer to have a look, it's not worth the risk!
Hi Grant. That's an excellent start mate! Your loft is very similar to mine, except I have the gable end. Be careful with the floor beams in the loft, I overloaded mine and had to abandon the layout plans for up there. That thermometer is ace, where did you get that? I could do with one like that for the garage. Looking forward to watching your progress. Tom
Thanks for the comments & sub! i got the thermometer from Screwfix, item no. 35455. it's actually only special at the moment, two quid cheaper than when i bought it!
Great vid as I'm thinking of going attic. hope you dont mind me saying but some costs as you go along would have been a help too., that would help with the budgeting of the project, especially on a tight budget, thanks Grant
Thanks for the comment Roland.
The loft was boarded to make storage space when we first moved in, about 20 years ago & I can't remember how much the boards were unfortunately. The foil insulation is about £107 a roll from Screwfix & I spent about £300 on extra wood. The Velux window was £830 fitted (a bit of a luxury) but you'll save about £250 - £300 if you fit it yourself, easier to do with a slate roof.
When you add in all the other bits & pieces (paint & tools etc) its surprisingly expensive - and that's before i even bought one train!
Getting the loft suitable for a layout is not the cheapest option but it probably yields the most space in a family home.
One thing, don't forget to ensure your loft beams can take the weight before you start, it could prove costly later! Good luck!
I hope you never have a roof leak around the chimney. That plasterboard will make it hard to locate.
good luck. oh the room. i live in a small apartment
.:)
Thanks Alan!
I think it doesn't matter how much space you actually have because you'd always like a little bit more! I look at some of the modellers over the pond, with giant layouts in their basements & think, "if only". Have you seen Stephen Bennett's layout? It's pretty awesome & truly inspiring, his scenic detailing is superb.
Has anyone had to consider reinforcing the joists etc because of the weight? My plan is to remove all the stuff already in there, take floorboards out where I won't need them and the finished result will probably make a lighter load than is currently in there.
You have to be confidant that your loft can take the weight, if in doubt ask a structural engineer. Older house tend to be made with much sturdier beams!
How has this loft insulation worked out for you now after this time
Hi Andy, good question!
It's now into the second winter & i would say that it has definitely helped but i think i could have made it better if i'd applied it with a little more care. For example, ensure that the insulation fully covers all the inside area & use foil tape to make good joins. Humidity has been a bigger problem but i have dehumidifier in the loft to try & keep everything within reasonable limits.
Eating an elephant is a great metaphor for a railway build... What would we do without our wifes?
ZzZ