"David W.E. Roberts" wrote in message
...
To clarify, as some people seem to be answering a question I didn't think
I
had asked :-)

I want to clad the rafters (i.e. the sloping things that support the
roof).
I am not concerned about removing dust from the insulation (which will be
under the flooring) or anything to do with the joists (the horizontal
things
that support ceiling and floor).

The roof is tile over some kind of tar paper or similar.

There is no insulation betwen the rafters.

I want to cover the rafters (to give a sloping ceiling effect) which will
reduce dust and cobwebs at head height.

The solution should be simple, safe, and very cheap.

"David W.E. Roberts" wrote in message
...
Hi,

just flooring in some loft area and reorganising the contents of the
junk
store.

In the main loft area we have covered some of the rafters with thin
hardboard painted white.
This improves the lighting no end by reflecting light, and also reduces
the
dust etc. from between the rafters while still allowing free flow of air
between the rafters.

Pleased with the result but it is quite expensive.

Plastic sheeting (e.g. damp proofing membrane) is very cheap.

I was wondering about stapling some of this to the joists to provide a
cheap
covering.

It is blue (so not as much reflection) but should reduce the dust and
spider
web count by quite a bit.

Any obvious downsides to this? Flammability is a concern.

Bubblewrap is also a possible plastic contender - more insulation and
very
light.

Any other equally cheap solutions? Bed sheets (polycotton) seem one
possibility. Light, less flammable, and white would reflect the light
well.
Will have a quick look at prices.

A reflective foil based solution could be reflective and insulating
(thinking abvout that stuff you used to glue behind radiators to reflect
heat away from the walls) but I suspect this might be quite expensive.


What about horticultural fleece its white(ish) air and water permeable cheap
esp. at this time of year when every store starts to get rid of its
gardening stuff. Only query would be what are its flameproof qualities

Steve