Do I need to reinforce attic floor?
If your home wasn’t designed to support a future attic conversion, not only will the joist system require modification, an engineer may require additional vertical reinforcement installed in the floor(s) below the attic to support the new attic weight.
How much weight will a roof truss support?
Typical Loads
If the bottom chord of a roof truss functions as a floor joist, such as in an attic room, it carries a live load that also varies by use, but a typical live floor load for a residential space is about 40 pounds per square foot.
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.
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 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.
How much does it cost to reinforce an attic floor?
Cost to Finish an Attic Bedroom by Project
| Project | Range (All-In) | Average Cost (All-In) |
|---|---|---|
| Floors | $200 – $6,400 | $3,300 |
| Windows | $200 – $10,000 | $5,100 |
| Decoration | $500 – $10,000 | $5,250 |
| Floor Joists | $1,000 – $10,000 | $5,500 |
Is it OK to put plywood over insulation in attic?
Once the insulation is down, you can turn your attic into valuable storage space by covering the floor with plywood. It will also make the attic a safer place in which to walk.
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.
Can I turn my attic into a room?
When converting an attic to a living space, it must meet the same building requirements as the other rooms in your home. To meet most building codes your attic should: Have at least 7 feet of vertical clearance in the majority of the room, be a minimum of 7 feet wide and have at least 70 square feet of space available.
How do I know if my attic can support 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 know if my attic is load bearing?
To determine if a wall is a load-bearing one, Tom suggests going down to the basement or attic to see which way the joists run. If the wall is parallel to the joists, it’s probably not load-bearing. If the wall is perpendicular, it’s most likely load-bearing.
How thick does attic flooring need to be?
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.
How thick should plywood be for attic flooring?
Joist Spacing and Attic Use
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 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 do you build a floor in an attic?
Quote from the video:
Quote from Youtube video: So just going to tack it down good and then shoot it off with sheathing nails. So i'm going to do is slide the sheet tight against this truss. And go ahead and tack it. Down.
Can I 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 can I make my attic space usable?
Access to Attic Storage
If you want to use your attic on a regular basis or to store large items, you may need to enlarge the access opening and install an access ladder or drop-down stairs. If the attic has the potential to become a regular living space, talk with a contractor about adding a fixed stairway.
