Measuring your loft can be essential for various purposes, such as estimating insulation needs, planning storage, or assessing conversion potential. While different measurements like volume or floor area might be needed depending on your goal, one method based on internal length and height from the eaves to the ridge provides a specific area calculation often relevant for roof-related estimates.
Method Based on Internal Dimensions
Based on information from 18-Dec-2018, a straightforward method to measure your loft involves calculating an area figure derived from the internal dimensions of the space, specifically its length and the vertical height from the eaves to the ridge. This calculation provides an area that can be useful for estimating the surface area of the sloping roof sections within the loft.
Step-by-Step Guide to Measuring
To perform this measurement according to the reference, follow these steps:
- Measure the length of the internal loft space. This is typically the longest dimension running horizontally along the loft.
- Measure the height (Eaves to Ridge) of the internal loft space. This is the vertical distance from where the roof slope meets the wall plate (eaves) up to the peak or ridge board internally.
- Multiply these figures together (Length × Height). This gives you a base area figure.
- If your home has two sloping roof sections (a standard pitched roof), multiply this result by two. If it only has one main slope (like a lean-to or skillion roof), you use the result from step 3.
This process yields an area figure representing the combined area of the internal sloping roof sections based on the loft's length and its internal height from eaves to ridge.
Example Calculation
Let's say your internal loft measurements are:
- Length: 10 meters
- Height (Eaves to Ridge): 3 meters
- Number of sloping roof sections: 2
Using the steps:
- Measure length: 10m
- Measure height: 3m
- Multiply figures: 10m × 3m = 30 square meters
- Multiply by two for two slopes: 30 sq m × 2 = 60 square meters
The calculated area based on this method is 60 square meters.
Summary of Key Measurements
Here's a simple breakdown of the measurements needed for this specific method:
| Measurement | How to Obtain | Used For Calculation |
|---|---|---|
| Length of loft | Measure the longest horizontal internal dimension. | Base Area Calculation |
| Height (Eaves to Ridge) | Measure vertical height from eaves level to ridge. | Base Area Calculation |
| Number of Slopes | Count the main sloping roof sections (usually 1 or 2). | Final Area Adjustment (Multiply x2) |
Tools Needed
- A reliable tape measure (preferably a long one, e.g., 5m or more).
- A ladder for safe access.
- A pen and paper or a phone to note down measurements.
By following these steps, you can measure your loft to calculate the area figure as described in the reference. Remember this method specifically calculates an area derived from internal length and height measurements, suitable for estimating aspects related to the sloping roof surfaces.
