Attic Joist Reinforcement

Installing flooring material over the attic doesn t quite leave room for the recommended insulation space needed to provide efficient home energy.

Attic joist reinforcement.

In massachusetts attic floors must support at least 30 lbs ft live load the same as bedroom floors if the attic is accessed by means of a fixed stairway 780 cmr 5502 3 1 use a span table to determine the necessary joist dimensions given their span length spacing wood species and grade. A raised platform of lumber in dimensions of 2 4 or 2 6 with insulation placed between joists and covered up with a 12 inch plywood helps build the right flooring. Screw the metal joist to the existing wood ceiling joist and to each plate and you have very effectively reduced the load deflection of any stored attic loads for little cost. You can strengthen the roof to prevent damage by adding braces to the roof rafters inside your attic.

The type of modifications selected for reinforcing the joists will depend on the recommendations of the engineer but the following methods are commonly used to beef up undersized attic joists. Positioning the new joist adjacent to the existing preserves precious ceiling but it does come with some potential complications. This is a fairly basic project that can help protect your roof but consult a structural. But 2x8s should work fine and will save labor and materials.

Measure the old joists measure the length of the old joists and note how much they overhang any supporting walls or. Now it is time to use some wood and screw it into place on the original joist as well as the cross beam. A steel plate can be used the same way. If the existing joist system is very close to being sufficient to support a new attic flooring.

Sistering installing new larger joists next to the existing ones is one way to bring your attic floor up to code. The solution is simple sister on an 18 gauge 1 5 8 x6 steel stud material to act as a joist running plate to plate. Step 4 reinforce the floors you will have to use a very sturdy piece of wood or some steel plating to reinforce the floor joists. Often existing joist bays are filled with electrical and heating ducts that will need to be relocated.