Baseboard - necessary to seal?

[Peppercorn]

Good afternoon,

 

I'm in the process of replacing my MDF boards with 12mm ply in my loft, which is a modern, but uninsulated area. Is it necessary to seal the panels and if so, with what - will PVA do the job?

Thanks in advance for any answers 

 

Cliff

[The Johnster]

I would say yes to sealing; it can do no harm even if it's not really needed, and yes, pva is fine

[royaloak]

I would also insulate the loft as much as possible to reduce temperature variation otherwise the boards will expand and contract causing derailments etc, its better to do it now rather than have to disassemble everything in a year or two to do it.

[Peppercorn]

Thanks, both - your comments are much appreciated...pva about to be loaded into a paint kettle....

[The Johnster]

As someone with unpleasant experience of loft layouts in my teens, I can endorse Royal Oak's comments about temperature variation.  It can be like an oven up there in summer and like a freezer in winter; winter sunny days are worst as the temperature will drop very quickly from the 30s to minus figures C as soon as the sun goes down.  As well as the havoc it plays with the baseboards, it'll rip your track to bits and destroy any soldered electrical connections.

 

The more you can reduce the temperature variation, the more comfortable it will be for you and the less problems will be caused to the layout.  The ideal solution, if you've got the money, is a professional conversion, but of course the thing will then be living space and other people in the household will be in competition with you for it.

 

My teenage experience taught me never again to attempt a layout situated outside the living environment of the home, where heating and ventilation are adequate.  My current layout lives in a railway room that the squeeze calls a bedroom on the flimsy evidence that it is the same room that we sleep and keep our clothes in.  But I love her dearly and can put up with these minor mistakes...

[Kris]

I would paint the boards. Brown, grey, gunk, whatever on the top, but white underneath. Going light underneath makes it far easier to see the wiring.  

[wirey33]

Paint both sides or you’ll be looking at some unwelcome contours.