I am currently embarking on (amongst other things), refitting my bathroom.

My master plan requires the bath to be removed from its current location against a window and across floor joists, and it's replacement to be located against the adjacent wall, away from the window (so i can shower properly), but consequently in line (parallel) with the supporting floor joists.

On new build housing, it is always required that joists are doubled up when running parallel with bathtubs, for loading purposes.

However, retrofitting additional floor joists would be a nightmare. I would much rather layer (say) 18mm chipboard or marine ply across the floor, after removing the old floor boards (which have been hacked about during CH retrofit), so I can lay a laminate floor on top. This should then give a continuous deck below the bath and (hopefully) spread the load across the floor.

Does anyone have any comments/suggestions on this approach. I'm sure plenty of people move their baths around with no consequences.

ALL comments appreciated.