How to Reinforce an Attic Floor with Sister Joists
- Clear the Joist Spaces. Pull out all insulation and any debris from all of the joist spaces so you can see the full length of each joist, including where it meets the exterior walls. …
- Measure the Old Joists. …
- Cut the Sister Joists. …
- Install the Sister Joists. …
- Install Blocking.
Can you put a floor in the attic?
That begs the question; can my attic support a floor? The answer, in most cases, is a definite yes. Even though it wasn’t put there, the joists supporting your ceiling are quite strong. Putting down flooring won’t stress them any more than the floors in your bedroom, kitchen, or bath.
Can my attic support my weight?
If you’re talking about the floor of an attic, then it may, or may not, support the weight of a person. We’ll tell you how you can figure it out. If you’re talking about walking on the roof and therefore relying on the roof truss and attic to support you, it highly likely that the roof will support you.
How do I stiffen my attic floor?
Fix bouncy floors by adding bridging, adding a layer of plywood or adding a wall or beam. We’ll show you three ways to stiffen up your bouncy floor—by adding bridging, installing plywood along the joists and adding a wall or beam under the floor. Any one of the three can solve your problem, depending on your situation.
How do I make my attic usable?
If this is your first remodel, consider hiring a professional to help you convert your attic.
- Clean Out Your Attic. …
- Wire the Attic for Electricity. …
- Build a Subfloor. …
- Insulate Your Attic. …
- Install Drywall and Ceiling. …
- Paint Attic Ceiling and Walls. …
- Choose and Install Attic Flooring.
How much weight can attic joists support?
Attic Joists for Live Loads
In many cases, ceiling joists for dead loads are designed to carry 10 pounds per square foot (psf), as opposed to the 40 or greater psf that live-load joists must carry.
Can you put flooring over attic insulation?
No matter what type of flooring you install, don’t compress the insulation in between the ceiling joists. This reduces the effectiveness of the insulation and, thus, the energy efficiency of the home. Build up the height of the joists prior to installing flooring when the insulation reaches the tops of the joists.
How much weight can I put on my attic floor?
The joists are what support the weight. An uninhabitable attic not designed for storage can handle a 10 pounds per square foot live load. An uninhabitable attic designed for limited storage can handle 20 pounds per square foot live load.
How much weight can a attic floor hold?
On average, an attic that has not been designed specifically for storage or already converted into a habitable room can hold 10lbs per square foot.
How much weight can a floor joist hold?
That means the joists can support a minimum of 40 pounds per square foot live load. Though, by consulting the 50 pounds per square foot live load/10 pounds per square foot dead load table, you can see the joists’ span would need to be reduced to 11 feet 11 inches to support heavier weight safely.
Is it OK to put plywood in the attic?
An attic can be floored with 1/2″ CDX plywood, if it is being used only for storage. However, the same can’t be said if you are planning on using the space as a living space. In that case, you will need to use 3/4″ thick plywood. As an alternative, 3/4” OSB can be used.
Can I add plywood to attic?
If your attic joists won’t bear the weight necessary to finish out a living space but the engineer cleared them to support floor decking for light storage, you can install ½-inch plywood or oriented strand board (OSB) in 4-foot-by-8-foot panels over existing 16-inch OC joists.
Is it safe to store cardboard boxes in the attic?
Cardboard Boxes
Those cardboard boxes stacked up in your attic could become a veritable buffet for mice and bugs if you’re not careful. “Pests are attracted to the cardboard and to the glue used in construction of the box,” says Santoro. “Boxes also break down and disintegrate, which will attract pests even more.”
What should you not store in an attic?
7 Things You Should Never Store in Your Basement or Attic
- Delicate fabrics. …
- Furniture and décor made from natural materials. …
- Important papers. …
- Food (unless you store it carefully) …
- Electronics. …
- Candles. …
- Anything flammable (near heat sources)
What should you not put in the attic?
10 Items You Should Never Store In The Attic
- Paints, cleaning products, or other toxins. …
- Anything that is highly flammable. …
- Delicate holiday decorations. …
- Art is never good to store in the attic. …
- Leather products. …
- Cardboard boxes. …
- Musical instruments. …
- Anything wool (or made from natural fibers)
