Table of Contents
How do I make my attic usable for storage?
Build shelves; you’ll fit more into the attic if you have layers of storage space rather than just a floor to place items on. Use the space between the rafters, on the ceiling and along the attic walls. Don’t block the ventilation, though; air needs to flow through the attic to keep it cool.
Can my attic support storage?
The Attic & Your Home’s Structure Integrity While most attic joists will be strong enough to allow you to move around for an inspection and may even provide storage for empty boxes or lightweight items, they will not typically be strong enough to support the weight of multiple people, heavier objects, or furniture.
Can I put plywood in my attic for storage?
An attic can be floored with 1/2″ CDX plywood, if it is being used only for storage. In that case, you will need to use 3/4″ thick plywood. As an alternative, 3/4” OSB can be used. Don’t use 7/16” OSB, as it is intended for external sheathing and isn’t strong enough to be used as a floor.
Can I add flooring to my attic?
CAN YOU ADD ATTIC FLOORING? If the joists are larger, they might support attic flooring, but the only reliable way to know for sure is to have a structural engineer take a look at your attic support system. In some cases, even larger joists will not support a new living area, so it’s vital that an engineer take a look.
How much weight can you put in an attic?
The weight is supported by the joists A 10 pounds per square foot live load can be handled by an attic that isn’t designed for storage. 20 pounds per square foot live load can be handled by an attic with limited storage.
Is the attic too hot for storage?
You never want to store temperature-sensitive possessions like photo albums in your attic. The high heat and humidity will ruin the photos and similar items such as posters and paintings.
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. Span length is different for every room.
What should not be stored in an attic?
7 Things You Should Never Store in Your Basement or Attic Delicate fabrics. Furniture and décor made from natural materials. Important papers. Food (unless you store it carefully) Electronics. Candles. Anything flammable (near heat sources).
How thick should plywood be for attic storage?
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.
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 thick should attic insulation be?
R-Value is a measure of insulation’s ability to resist heat flow. The higher the R-Value, the better the thermal performance of the insulation. The recommended level for most attics is to insulate to R-38 or about 10 to 14 inches, depending on insulation type.
How much does it cost to floor an attic?
Finishing a walk-up attic costs between $8,100 and $26,000 and usually involves installing a staircase and flooring. Adding a staircase costs $1,000 to $2,900 and installing wood flooring in a walk-up attic costs $2,500 to $6,800.
How do I know if my attic can hold weight?
The thicker the rafters, the more secure they are. There’s no way to tell from here if the attic floor or even the rafters will support you. Even if it has held you before, damage to the attic floor, including water damage, can undermine its stability.
Can you walk on beams in attic?
If there is no floor, be careful on the joists If you don’t have a floor, you’ll have to walk on the joists. Not only is this a fall hazard, but it can also cause the joist to bow and crack the drywall below. This also means you don’t want to sit, stand, or kneel on one joist for too long.
Does attic storage add value?
It’s easy simply to dump boxes of old clothes and other random items in your attic. But by turning an underused space into a finished storage area or living space, you instantly increase its usability and unlock value in your home.
Is it safe to put cardboard boxes in the attic?
Cardboard Boxes Those cardboard boxes stacked up in your attic could become a veritable buffet for mice and bugs if you’re not careful. “Pests are attracted to the cardboard and to the glue used in construction of the box,” says Santoro. “Boxes also break down and disintegrate, which will attract pests even more.”.
Can a hot attic cause a fire?
Heating Elements As heat rises, attics are already hot places, especially in the summer when the temperature outside skyrockets. Your heating, ventilation, and cooling (HVAC) may become overheated and catch fire because of the excessive heat.
What is the average attic temperature?
Ideally, your attic should not exceed 130 degrees Fahrenheit during the summer. Problems related to attics hotter than 130 degrees: It will make it harder to cool your home in the summer.
