Part 2 Creating the Subfloor

1. Determine how many boards you need to create your subfloor.
2. Measure and cut boards to size.
3. Lay the boards perpendicularly across the trusses.
4. Screw the boards into the ceiling joists.
5. Continue screwing boards perpendicular to the joists.
6. Cap off the ends of your subfloor with boards.

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Similarly, you may ask, can my attic support a floor?

Floor Framing As long as they are not damaged, the joists should be strong enough to allow you to move around in the attic for an inspection and to provide storage for typical boxed items. But they may not be adequate to support the weight of multiple people, furniture, and heavy stored items.

Additionally, is it OK to put plywood in the attic? An attic can be floored with 1/2″ CDX plywood, if it is being used for storage. Although thicker sub-floors are normally used for the living spaces in a home, those are usually OSB . However, if the attic is being turned into a living space, then 3/4″ thick plywood should be used.

In this manner, how much does it cost to put floor in attic?

Cost to Install an Attic Floor. What's the cost to install an attic floor? The contractor cost to install an attic floor is $512 vs. doing it yourself for $190 and saving 63 percent.

How thick should Plywood be for an 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.

Related Question Answers

How do I reinforce my attic floor?

If the attic joists are not adequate, one way to strengthen the floor for live loads is to sister the old joists. Sistering is the process of adding a new joist next to each existing joist. In the case of two-by-six joists, you would pair them up with other two-by-six joists by nailing them together, side by side.

Can you lay loft boards directly onto joists?

But joists are usually no more than 100mm deep, so this would be impossible to achieve and still put a floor on top. Only board directly on to the joists if you know there is no risk of condensation forming in your loft).

Can I walk in my attic?

If your attic doesn't have a floor, you can gingerly walk on the edges of the wood ceiling rafters (the ones that support the ceiling of the rooms underneath your feet), or you can lay a couple of pieces of sturdy plywood down to use as a sort of plank to get you from one truss to the next.

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.

Can I cover my attic insulation with plywood?

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 new insulation over old?

According to ENERGY STAR®, you can put new insulation over old insulation, “unless it is wet. The vapor retarder on top of or between layers of insulation can trap moisture. Any existing batt or roll insulation in the attic should have the facing against the attic drywall floor or no facing at all.

What type of flooring is best for attics?

The Best Flooring for an Attic

• Plywood or Chipboard. Plywood or chipboard is the least expensive option for storage flooring.
• Loft Panel Flooring. This type of flooring is made from particle board and is pre-cut into 2-foot wide strips for ease of use.
• Plastic Panels.
• Hardwood.
• Carpet.

Can I store stuff in my attic?

Storing items in your attic is far more preferable than storing them in the basement where they may get wet (think about flooding) or garage where they are exposed to the elements. Use the attic to store anything that is impervious to heat. Heat can damage things such as photographs and wood.

How much weight can a 2x4 floor joist hold?

2x4 are suitable for ceiling joists where the LL is like 20 Lbs. If you got a good species with the highest Modulus of Elasticity and Best grade and use like 12" o.c. - you might get 8'' span.

How much weight can a ceiling joist hold?

Fine Homebuilding notes that 2-inch by 6-inch garage joists will support a weight of up to 50 pounds per square foot. If you overload your garage's ceiling joists, the ceiling may appear to sag from the strain. While your 2-inch by 6-inch joists can collapse from too much weight, such a scenario is uncommon.

How thick should Plywood be for flooring?

The National Wood Flooring Association recommends a minimum plywood panel thickness of 7/8-inch for joist spans of 19.2 to 24 inches, and a minimum plywood panel thickness of 5/8-inch for joist spans of 16 inches or less.

How far apart are attic joists?

Ceiling joists are usually installed either 16 or 24 inches on center, which means roughly 16 or 24 inches apart. Once you've located the first one, the others are easier to find. If you only need to know which direction the joists run, access the attic and take a look.

How do I strengthen my floor joists with plywood?

How to Reinforce Joists with Plywood

1. Measure the distance from the bottom of the floor to the bottom of the joist.
2. Measure the length of the beam.
3. Cut four strips of one-inch plywood to the width of the first measurement.
4. Drill ¼-inch pilot holes at six-inch intervals down both long sides of each plywood board.

Can I use OSB for attic floor?

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.

What is attic slab?

An attic (sometimes referred to as a loft) is a space found directly below the pitched roof of a house or other building; an attic may also be called a sky parlor or a garret. Attics are generally used for storage, though they can also help control temperatures in a house by providing a large mass of slowly moving air.

What insulation should I use in my attic?

The most common insulation materials are fiberglass, cellulose and foam. Insulation types include loose fill, batts, rolls, foam board, spray board and vapor barriers. Tip: The type of insulation you need depends on which type is currently installed and the required R-value.

Can you use laminate flooring in the loft?

Laminate. If you are planning on using your loft conversion for a playroom or an office, then laminate flooring may be the better option as it is a lot cheaper option than hardwood.

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.

How do I put plywood in my attic?

Screw the plywood into the subfloor. The plywood should be laying on top of the subfloor with no overhang. Once the boards are in place, place more screws placed 16 inches (40.64 cm) apart to hold the plywood to the subfloor frame. Once you're done laying down all of the plywood, your attic floor is finished.