some mixed reviews there then. i was relying more on tieing it all together to spread the weight evenly. The metal can take it though, deffo. It's an old farm building built to last, and it's been tested by a forklift being a little too high by accident lol.

I'll have a look at it over next few days, wasn't expecting quite so much response but glad of it guys

just for the record, the boarding in the pics is just offcuts of mdf i put up there so it was out of the way while tidying. I'll probably fire 4 more joists in between the outer most from the wall. The hangers are fixed to wall with 6 screws each and feel more than up to the job, joists are screwed into hangers with 3 screws each, and at other end to wooden baton via angled brackets, which is fixed to metal roof structure with 3 screws positioned around each joist fixing point (bottom and side).

The panels i have are loft panels from Wickes (http://www.wickes.co.uk/Channel-Drai...ls/invt/116420). They say on the pack, max centres of 600mm. that means nothing underneath it between joists? but the bigger boarding needs smaller centres of 450mm.

Thought the smaller ones would be weaker, or does smaller panels with stagger make for stronger since more tng joins??

one last thing, do i HAVE to glue as well as screw? i wanted to be able to take it down easily if i need to and just leave the brackets. also on the lookout for some cheap aluminium loft ladders if anyone knows of any...