Flooring in an attic that’s mostly used for storage needs very little in the way of fasteners. Nails are certainly fine, though they’re more likely to squeak and work up over time.

How do I support my attic floor?

How to Reinforce an Attic Floor with Sister Joists

  1. 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. …
  2. Measure the Old Joists. …
  3. Cut the Sister Joists. …
  4. Install the Sister Joists. …
  5. Install Blocking.





Are screws better than nails for subfloor?

Which is More Durable: Nailing Or Screwing a Subfloor? Between using nails or screws to put down a subfloor, screws are more durable and have the capacity to stay and hold longer than nails. For instance, the smaller threads on a ring shank nail can come loose in a plywood subflooring panel.

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.

What type of floor is best for attic?

Resilient flooring, such as laminate or vinyl, is one of the best choices you can make for attic floors. This type of flooring can soften the sounds when installed over an underlayment.

Is it OK to nail subfloor?





7. Using Improper Fasteners. Using code-approved screws rather than nails is the best option for avoiding movement. If using nails for subfloor installation, stick with ring-shank nails; smooth nails may withdraw easier, leading to squeaks.

Can I use framing nails for subfloor?

Combining the versatility of a nail with the hold strength of a screw, they can be used with most framing nailers – meaning these subfloor fasteners can be driven much faster than screws.

What should not be stored in an 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)

Can attic joists support a floor?

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.

How thick should attic floor be?



You need 3/4-inch plywood. The thinner plywood is acceptable when the joist spacing is 16 inches. If you plan to finish the floor in the attic and turn the room into a living space, however, you should always use 3/4-inch plywood.

Is it OK to put plywood in the 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.

How much weight can attic joists support?

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 do you walk in the attic?



Quote from the video:
Quote from Youtube video: You could step on that and if you do that you're you could fall all the way through or you could just crack the sheetrock.

Is it safe to walk in attic?

Yes, it’s safe to walk in an attic, but only if you observe certain safety precautions. Below are some factors to keep in mind. Safety gear: It’s essential to use safety clothing for any home renovation project, even in your attic.

How are mice getting in my attic?

It is common that rodents will dig through the soil into the basement and from there they can find a way into the attic through water pipes. The footing of the house – We look for any imperfections around the foundation and then seal any gaps or cracks. Roof – Rodents may enter the home by chewing through wood.

Is it safe to go in attic?

You do not want to fall through a weakened section of your ceiling and be injured because it wasn’t fixed. However, with proper precautions, it is safe to venture into your attic. There are also two other things to be on the lookout for when in your attic: water damage and rust or mold.

How often should you check your attic?



once every 3 to 6 months

Checking Your Attic



As a general rule, it’s a good idea to check your attic once every 3 to 6 months. There are numerous reasons why checking your attic regularly is important, notably it’s the first place leaks will show themselves. If a leak occurs, there will be signs of it in your attic before anywhere else.

What’s the purpose of an attic?

Attics help control temperatures in a house by providing a large mass of slowly moving air, and are often used for storage. The hot air rising from the lower floors of a building is often retained in attics, further compounding their reputation as inhospitable environments.