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 you put a floor in an attic?





Quote from the video:
Quote from Youtube video: First going to be starting out to lay down the flooring we can't put it on top of the wires what we're gonna be doing is cutting little notches in the top of the beams to lay the wires down flat.

How thick should be the flooring in the attic?

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.

How do I reinforce 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.


Can attic floor support weight?





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.

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.

Should I put a floor in my 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.

How much weight can my attic 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.

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)

How much weight can loft joists take?

Typically the joists in a loft will support about 40kg/m2 of weight so providing you’re storing less than this you won’t need to do any additional work to strengthen the joists.

How can I strengthen my attic joists?

Quote from the video:
Quote from Youtube video: So what I need to do is get my joists. And cut the end to shape. So. If you imagine these joists are going to be sitting up between the rafters hence. You can see this bit of joist. By there. So what

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.

What should I do with my attic?

10 Dreamy Attic Ideas for Your Home’s Coziest Space

  1. of 11. Set up a home office. …
  2. of 11. Create the closet of your dreams. …
  3. of 11. Craft a playroom. …
  4. of 11. Build a cozy reading nook. …
  5. of 11. Throw together a multipurpose room. …
  6. of 11. Make a mini library. …
  7. of 11. Create a game room. …
  8. of 11. Make a craft room.

Is it safe to walk in attic?

Is It Safe to Walk in an 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.

What is the purpose of an attic in a house?

Attics are the space between the roof and the ceiling of the highest floor of the house. They’re usually full of insulation, and sometimes heating or air conditioning equipment as well.