Can I lay plywood over insulation?

While you can construct dams around recessed lights that aren’t IC-rated to keep insulation away from them, you can’t cover them with plywood. Doing so can cause them to overheat. Don’t install a moisture barrier on top of the insulation.

Which plywood is best for attic floor?





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.

What type of flooring is best for attics?

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.

How do I strengthen my attic joists?

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.


How thick should plywood be for an attic floor?





Flooring 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.

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 do I put plywood in my attic?

Quote from the video:
Quote from Youtube video: And you can put a couple of screws in it and screw it down to the two by fours up in the attic. And it makes for a really neat platform to be able to go around in the attic.

Are ceiling joists load bearing?

The term joist, in construction, usually means a horizontal load-bearing structural member, so ceiling joists are load-bearing.

How do I strengthen my floor joists with plywood?



To strengthen your joists with plywood:

  1. Use ¾” plywood and rip 8′ pieces with a table saw to the width of your existing joists.
  2. Lift your joists to the desired height with a couple of jacks and a temporary beam.
  3. Glue sections of plywood to the joist and nail with 10d nails.

Is OSB OK for attic floor?

Oriented Strand Board (OSB) – for non-mountainous regions- for the attic roof decking; that is, for exterior use. The attic floor (inside the house) can use 3/4 in. thick tongue and groove OSB. The spacing of your attic roof trusses are 24 in.

How much weight can 3/4 plywood floor hold?

One of the most commonly-used plywood thicknesses is ¾ inch plywood. You can find 1-inch-thick fir plywood for use in heavy construction projects. Some will have tongue and groove patterns that lock together for even more strength. A 12-by-36-inch piece of 3/4-inch fir plywood can easily support 50 pounds.

Is half inch plywood good for floor?



The spacing of the joists governs the recommended thickness of the plywood subfloor. Some experts suggest that 15/32-inch plywood should be standard if the underlying floor joists are spaced 16 inches apart or less, but you should use slightly thicker 3/4-inch plywood for joists spaced further apart.

Is OSB OK for attic floor?

Oriented Strand Board (OSB) – for non-mountainous regions- for the attic roof decking; that is, for exterior use. The attic floor (inside the house) can use 3/4 in. thick tongue and groove OSB. The spacing of your attic roof trusses are 24 in.

Is it better to use OSB or plywood for subfloor?

OSB has a lower resale value than plywood due to its lower strength. For this reason, few homeowners prefer OSB in their homes. Apart from costs, plywood is superior in all the other areas, such as the strength of the structure. For this reason, it’s a superior material for use on the subfloor.

How much weight can 3/4 plywood floor hold?

One of the most commonly-used plywood thicknesses is ¾ inch plywood. You can find 1-inch-thick fir plywood for use in heavy construction projects. Some will have tongue and groove patterns that lock together for even more strength. A 12-by-36-inch piece of 3/4-inch fir plywood can easily support 50 pounds.

Is OSB stronger than plywood?



Osb is stronger than plywood in shear. Shear values, through its thickness, are about 2 times greater than plywood. This is one of the reasons osb is used for webs of wooden I-joists. However, nail-holding ability controls performance in shear wall applications.

Can you use plywood instead of OSB?

Industry voices from panel manufacturers or their main trade group—APA – The Engineered Wood Association—say that there’s no real difference between the two panels: OSB’s and plywood’s structural characteristics are equivalent, and they can be used interchangeably.

Which is more water resistant OSB or plywood?

Plywood is porous and is susceptible to damage when exposed to water for longer time. OSB is not water resistant and hence cannot be used for exterior projects.

What is cheaper plywood or OSB?

In favor of OSB:



OSB is less expensive than plywood. To build a typical 2,400-square foot home, OSB may cost $700 less than plywood. OSB is considered by many to be a “green” building material because it can be made from smaller-diameter trees, such as poplars, that are often farmed.

How much does a 4×8 sheet of 3/4 plywood cost?



3/4 x 4 x 8 Plywood Sheathing at Menards

Everyday Low Price $56.14
11% Mail-In Rebate Good Through 7/10/22 $6.18


How much does a 4×8 sheet of plywood cost?

The average cost of a 4×8 plywood.



The cost will vary depending on what size you are looking for. A 4×8 sheet that’s 1/4 inch thick could cost you anywhere from $6 to $45, while an 11/32″ thicker one would run about $15 dollar to $120 per sheet of the same size.