2x4 attic joists. Even if I have to add two additional 2x4s for the bathroom.

2x4 attic joists Originally I just put loose boards down over the horizontal 2x4 base of the trusses. Dec 13, 2017 · Another cardinal rule when building an attic walkway: NEVER CUT A CEILING JOIST OR ANY PART OF THE TRUSSES. I talked to a structural engineer and he advised to sister the existing 2×4 joists. 2x4 overlap approx 1 foot Would like to add drywall ceiling, insulation and have light storage in attic space above I will see if I can lay new batts perpendicular to the joists, on top of what's there. Sep 17, 2024 · When it comes to the joist, he said its ok to cut for the access as long as its replaced by substantial support, using correct ties. The current joist 2x4 OC spacing is 16 inch . I didn't say anything in this thread except the post to the Engineer about his blatant advertising with that big a s s 'd banner he uses for a sig. As such, first step would be to install a pull-down ladder if we decide to do anything. As you can imagine, the joists are sagging quite substantially. Oct 8, 2023 · I've bought a home that was built in 1910. The joists are 2x4s spaced about 24in on center. As you can see in the pictures, there is a couple of inches in sag, and the rafters are beginning to pull apart. Along with this the 4x4 will sit within 6 inches of the king studs all the way down the line. The attic currently has actual rough cut 2x4 spaced 24" with 12' spans. But there are many other issues to be addressed when converting attic space to living space. The "room" is 25' x 8' and currently has 2x4s that are 16" apart. The slope of the roof is 20/12. '. There's no flooring, just joists with blown-in insulation. The garage is 12'x20'. Dec 30, 2020 · I own a 24x60' uninsulated building that's about 100 years old. Supported below through the Center of the entire house. Jul 7, 2010 · Most roofs use attic joist that run parallel to the rafters but in my roof the attic joists are perpendicular to the rafters. We currently have 2x6 floor joist that span 16' on one side and 18' on another. Apr 15, 2021 · You want a low ground level deck with the smallest step possible off the ground using standard material. Leave a space between the old and new lumber. 72m), Feb 11, 2015 · The 16" on center spacing is the maximum. 7' span. About to add insulation to attic above two story home in northern cold climate. 7'. My entire attic is floored in 3/4 OSB tongue and groove. The rafter are spaced 24 inch apart instead of regular 16. I have an attached garage with 2x6 attic joists and 2x6 roof rafters. 5" center line). There are four roof mounted vents, no ridge vent, no gable vents 4. Feb 21, 2017 · We need to know how far those joists span before we assist you in adding load. I don't want any barring wall and from what I've seen online, a 2x6x16 wouldn't be strong enough to span a 16' gap. May 9, 2021 · I want to use the attic as a nice modern living space. Let's say for comparison that you went nuts and used nine gussets per span: The lower joist would still have 1. Can it support an attic ladder and have some plywood put down and used as a storage area? May 26, 2004 · If you want to put down flooring in your attic and want more insulation underneath that floor. If too long, then cut off the excess. Before I realized that I had 2x4s under the OSB decking in the attic space, I put a bunch of storage tubs up there. I'm considering spray foam but blown cellulose insulation is not out of the question. These are clearly only designed to support the attic itself, and nothing more. I have a 1/2 inch sheet of plywood cut into 4 2X 4 foot sections, lying in my attic just for this purpose, I take a section lie it across the joists, add a section to go further, on and on until I reach my destination, lie them around the area. Same for 456. Feb 1, 2017 · Basements, Attics and Crawl Spaces - Reinforcing garage attic trusses for storage area - I have an attic above my two-car garage that I have been using as a storage area. Jun 22, 2020 · I'm trying to hang some pulleys in my garage to suspend a 70lbs kayak from the ceiling, but the ceiling joists run left to right rather than along the length of the garage. Dec 16, 2024 · Build a frame on 16” centers perpendicular to the attic floor joists. I was wondering if I could sister every 2x4 in the floor to support this attic. Two knee walls with no insulation 6. My plan is to sister these existing joists with 4x2 joists running almost the full length of the current joists, but with nothing supporting them on their ends. I am concerned about adding insulation with such weakness. 2x10 would serve as a header to span your cut joist. Some details: Single story house built in the 1940s. Would sistering 2x4's in one 12' and two 8' sections all glued and screwed be enough to make it safe for storage? I am adding 3/4" plywood as the floor but also elevating the floor with 2x4 laid on their sides going perpendicular to the trusses. Oct 6, 2024 · I've considered sistering 2x4s onto the joists can't do 2x6s as I don't want tear out all of the drywall to have them sticking past the bottom (blow in insulation) and to have them stick past the top of the joist would require tearing up a bunch of crap that's nailed across the top in the attic. Carpenters cut the rim joists to length and mark the location of the joists on Jan 10, 2021 · We have a 2500 sq ft townhouse with an unfinished attic. Dec 22, 2015 · We thought that we could drop vertical "purlin" 2x4's from the rafters down to the ceiling joists, and cut holes in the attic floor plywood so the 2x4's could be nailed in to the ceiling joists. ) For the situation in the diagram, sistering additional joists in the same manner as shown by the orange joists will maintain the needed 16" O. And those tables assume a small amount of live load, ie, someone walking around in the attic which you obviously won't have here so even more good. I think 2x4s or "joists" sit on "beam" (4x4) so can't I just walk on any solid wood in the attic? If you look up span tables for 2x4 ceiling joist you can get something like 8-11 feet at 16" oc depending on grade. The specific repair methods and materials will depend on the type and condition of the existing joists or rafters, as well as the intended use and load-bearing requirements of the structure. ) so I'm not tiptoeing on joists whenever I'm up there. Attic volume commandeered was needed for proper floor insulation, best protected by the flooring crucial to the added floor strength. it should be fluffy. There are a total of 4 mentioned so you can fit one or two 4x8 sheets down across them- 24in O/C x 4 = 4 feet. These joists are running in line with the rafters and perpendicular to the load bearing walls. The problem I'm seeing in the attic space is that the ceiling joists are rough DF 2x4, 16" OC spanning 16 feet between the bedroom walls. Ceiling Joists and Rafters. There should be a vertical 2x8 next to it creating an L. This appears to be way over spanned by any modern span tables I read. It will certainly hold your weight, but trusses with a 2x4 bottom chord are not designed to have a floor installed on them. Just for storage, now finishing completelyright now My question is that, in two spots on the joists, there are 2x4's running perpendicular to the joists. Customer: I have 2x4 24" spaced garage attic joists on trusses. 1(2) Nov 2, 2009 · The 2x4 "floor joist" is actually called the bottom chord. However, attic storage loads are pretty low in the code (20psf compared to 40psf on a typical floor). Rip 1/2″ thick plywood to 24″ widths so it will fit up the attic stairs. Jan 22, 2015 · The attic joists are only 2x4s and are 27 inch on center (i double checked). Attic plywood flooring, well screwed to the framing, completes the box beam assembly. The roof is matched 2x4 rafters (no ridge board) with 2x4 ceiling joist (technically rafter ties I guess). Jan 24, 2020 · I have these 2x8 running perpendicular on top of my 2x4 attic joists. 5"x47" attic ladder. The largest span is 13’. No problem. A 2x4 joist is below any code minimum. Dec 18, 2022 · 2x4 over #123 and screws from top. I read that walking on 2x4s is safe. line. (You may have joists closer together in a few places but not more than 16" apart in other places or any places. Plan: "Sister" or double the ceiling joists with 2x6's or 2x8's with the ends resting on the wall top plates then lay the subfloor on the new joists. We want to strengthen the joist and put 1/2"-3/4" plywood to make Feb 2, 2016 · The head room is a lot more if raised up only 1. The old growth framing is 2 x 4. Sep 25, 2020 · Standard joist spacing for the installation of attic flooring materials is 16 inches on center (OC), meaning the distance from the center of one joist to the center of the next joist is 16 inches. Sep 25, 2022 · The trusses in the attic are 2x4 and 24oc apart, running north to south. if your attic insulation is compressed then yes you want to replace it. If using OSB, definitely go with 3/4". e. Just installed an attic ladder to access the attic and to use attic as storage but later I am planning to add one bed and one bath in the feature. Oct 1, 2011 · The stress in the lower joist will be about 7. Imagine whole floor of 2x4 and no plywood. Part of my goal (and the reason for the gussets & 2x6s in the This Old House link) is to raise my existing attic floor by 6 inches to accommodate more blown-in insulation, and build the catwalk above the new insulation level. also 2x4 studs can only get r12 value. 5" and then you could install r-13 batten insulation in the cavities of the 2x4's to gain that extra r-value of 13. Jan 5, 2025 · Above is called strongback. If I ever want to expand up there, its ready. then there are the same plywood pieces extended from the rafters to the joists right at the center of the 24 foot span-I believe they are holding up the 2x4's-I think it is fine, but I am Mar 28, 2017 · Goal: Reinforce the joists and lay down a wood subfloor (OSB, ply, etc. However, I noticed my joists (in the picture, the horizontal joists are hidden by the insulation, but you can see the cracks where they are) are only 2"x4" spaced by 24". Our cable and internet company agreed. So the flames near attic joists have a lot more oxygen supply in an attic fire. If permit office allows, maybe sister one or two more 2x4. But why be practical when you can have fun? If I had to laminate attic joists, I would use 2x4's with a bunch of 12" wide osb strips. If I’m reading right, code would require 2x6 joists for uninhabitable attics with limited storage, live load = 20psf. Well, decking needs joists to support it, and the lowest joists are 2x4's. The solution I propose is as follows:1) Drop vertical 2x4's from the rafters (spaced every three ceiling joists = 48" max) 2) Ensure two 2x4's are used per selected joist and place them 5' from the ends of the ceiling joists (rafter nail-in will occur vertically above the tie-in to the ceiling joist) 3) nail the dropped 2x4 into the Relatives told me to walk on the joist and everything would be fine. Approved hangers shall be used for the header joist to trimmer joist connections when the header joist span exceeds 6 feet (1829 mm). Best if this "header" ends rest over your possible problem door and on the piers in the crawlspace. It has shiplap nailed to the bottom to serve as the 1st levels ceiling. Below the collar ties there are two crossing 1x4 braces that are nailed, on each end, to the 2x4 rafters with 3 nails each. 5" apart, or 16 and 16. Jun 8, 2012 · Thanks, 21boat, although I'm not quite sure I understand your suggestion. Use joist hangers to put some 2x4s between the ceiling joists so that they pass just above the 2x6 (stuff's going to sag), drill through the top plate from below with a spade bit and screw the 2x6 to the 2x4s remove the wall and top plates patch and plaster the ceiling. You can put the risers in before insulating, but the catwalk itself goes in after insulating. However, if you have 2x4's and or 24" spacing then maybe something extra, maybe an elevated walkway. C. Dec 8, 2020 · We had old 2x4 floor joists sitting in our bathroom that we ripped out as they were rotten and falling apart. these won't hold a pillowcase from what I've been told, even with the added support boards binding them to the rafters. on center (or 2 joists at 16 in. Apr 3, 2023 · Planning to build a 10'x16' "cabin" with a loft. Attic / ceiling joists are unsupported in this space, and require bracing every 10' of free space. Where he cut the joists in half, he used #8x2” construction screws from Grip Fast (product # 230-3103), to secure the galvanized joist hangers. Cross bridging is the same idea, except that plywood or smaller pieces of lumber (2×2) are used to make an “X” between each joist in place of a solid I also thought about mounting 2x4 or 2x6 running vertically into my current floor joists and then I'd only have a couple pieces sticking up vertically for my shelves and insulate the rest around them, but I wasn't sure if lag bolts through the 2x6 and then my joist would hold or if it was safe for the joist so I went with my option above, plus Jun 27, 2017 · I'm wanting to remodel our attic to add a few bedrooms. We were surprised to see that as far as we can tell, the attic space is only supported by 2x4 joists. or stack another 2x4 onto the existing rafter. Joists are just strong enough for Jan 26, 2010 · I'm going to put down some OSB in a small 4X8, (spanning three bottom chords), section of the Warren-style 2X4-trussed, (24" OC), attic in my townhome. My thought is to span the joists with a ~7 foot 2x4 so I can hang affix the pulleys to the 2x4 and hang the kayak lengthwise. Agree that a 2x4 is undersized, based on current tables. It’s framed out for a bathroom and a bedroom. Here's the math I get on 2x6@16" O. Matter of finding where 2x6 joists will land. Picture of my attic. Sistering 2X6 joists next to your current 2x4 joists will simply give you a new floor height of 5-1/2 inches as opposed to the current 3-1/2 inches. Dec 13, 2020 · Does anyone know if it’s safe to put down some 1 inch plywood over these attic 2x4 joists just to store boxes in a 6 ft by 6 ft area. Protecting the cable is as simple as installing "substantial guard strips", which can simply be a 1x2 furring strip on each side of the cable. this Nov 5, 2004 · Re: Strengthing joists with sleepers Big Dog ---I looked this up With the materials and deflection limit 2x6's loaded to 30#/sqft LL will span 10. Screw the plywood to the frame. Feb 6, 2020 · If you have wires/cables that run across the top of the attic floor joists, you could build up the joist with ripped 2x4's that would provide another 1-1/2 inch clearance above the joists for the wires. Jul 18, 2009 · Anyhow, I have a large attic that has 2x4 ceiling joists with 14" of R38 insulation on top. From what I've been reading, the trusses are not designed to support storage and I need to get a structural engineer's on-site opinion as to what all needs done. RELATED LINKS . I would like to add 7/16 flooring and insulation for some storage w/ a 22. I-joists right from the get go would have been a thought. Need to install a scuttle for my attic in the top floor hallway. It is attached with a single 5/8 plywood gusset along the side, glued and screwed to both the joist and extension. ) Nov 4, 2023 · if strength of joist is depth^2 * w, then the proportional strength of the joists with and without the drill hole is 4. Ceiling joist are 2x4. Oct 3, 2017 · My home build on 1908 in Oakland , California . 20' and are 16" on center. Apr 21, 2018 · I can see a break in the truss under one of the joint plates. You're going to get deflection with that, especially with a heavy snow load. May 2, 2012 · If using a standard size floor joist creates a problem with your finished floor elevation, look into notching the joist at the supports (read your local building code for notching requirements). I think I used 2x's for the risers. since attic, definitely doable. remove the plywood. 3/4" is rated for 24" floor joists with live loads. The problem is, these wall indents only allows room for 1 joist per indent. Dec 28, 2024 · House built in 1926 in New York with 2x4 joists 16” OC. (So about a 6ft x 16ft space). on center) between your existing joists to increase your garage joist load carrying capacity and ENABLING you to install Someone used a 2x4 to support one of the beams, but it did not work because the beam was in two sections. Oct 2, 2015 · Cottage ceiling joists is currently 2x4 on 24" center, each 2x4 spans 12 feet to center beam, total span is 22'. Create a box between 2 of the 2x6's. if you have a flat ceiling, you'll feel proud. 2x6 on 24" center floor joists (no insulation between joists) 3. I was considering putting a 2x6 across the ceiling joists on top of a wall, then hammering in a 2x4 to "jack" up the joists. When using the tables to size rafters, there are two points to keep in mind. From a practical standpoint, it's likely easier to completely remove the roof, ceiling joists, ceiling, and everything in attic and just build 2nd floor like new construction on top of existing first floor. I think easy enough since drop ceiling is already framed. 1). Jul 25, 2012 · I have read several threads about different ways to strengthen the ceiling joist, but they do not address my situation, so I'll post again. The photo shows old header between joists. I too, would like to use the attic as a living space, however I'm not comfortable with the current 2x4s as joists with a 13' span :vs_no_no_no Mar 11, 2012 · I bought a 1920's four corner style house. 3. Jan 18, 2018 · Regardless, I am installing fiberglass insulation batts to go in my (sadly) 2x4 ceiling joist bays. I’m only looking to plywood about 160 SF and was thinking of adding 3/4” furring strips parallel and atop the current joists then notching the furring strips for the wires to run through, then installing 1/2” OSB perpendicular to the joists Example: The highlighted cell (below) shows that a 2" x 6" Douglas Fir joist, with a grade of #2, spaced 24" apart, can have a maximum span of 10 feet - 8 inches (10-8). Looks like two 2x4's about 18 ft long, slightly overlapped (tried to attach picture - hope it worked, and helps). Table R802. Jan 2, 2009 · The ceiling joists are 2x6's, 32" o. 5 vs 16. Put insulation meant for 2x4 framed walls between the joists (which will be the same height as the joists), then lay a perpendicular layer of attic insulation (maybe R-30) on top of them. This seems massively under built, should I be concerned? Typically 1st floor joists will have bridging on the bottom (every 10') and sub floor on top, locking everything in laterally. would like to use this space, but the floor joists are only 2x4 16oc sistered joined in the middle over full wall length Jul 28, 2011 · In Massachusetts, attic floors must support at least 30 lbs/ft² live load (the same as bedroom floors) if the attic is accessed by means of a fixed stairway (780 CMR 5502. The legs for the step-over have to be atop the plywood of the main catwalk so I can fasten the plywood to the joist extensions. 2x4 is ideally our limit of thickness, and I was thinking of having 4 or 5 2x4 joists going from one end of the wall to another (147cm / 58") bolted to a 2x4or 2x6 (not sure which one) bearer against all 4 walls. Nov 1, 2013 · My attic floor has joists that are 2x4 and 16 inch on center. I was thinking I could buddy ( or sister) up the 2x4's with another 2x4 or 2x6. An attic walkway NEVER trumps the safety and structural integrity of the house. Mar 3, 2024 · Rim Joist. Mar 1, 2010 · I realize I'm extremely limited in what storage capabilities one can place into an attic with only 2x4 support. Aug 19, 2009 · My house was built in '92 and I'm in the process of updating my upstairs bath, and I need to run another 12/2 line up from the basement to my attic, but upon looking in my attic, the attic has only 2x4 joists and is covered with cellulosic fiber insulation, and my question is; I need to get into the attic and put in two juction boxes and move several 12/2 and 14/2 lines, but I'm not sure if it I need to relocate my attic access that is currently in a closet that we will be modifying to expand the master bathroom. I know it’s supposed to be bigger but there’s no way that’s possible. Currently, I put a lot of 1x4 or 1x6 laying on top of the joist covering 4 joists (16 ft in length, 12 ft in width area) Made it looks like a partial attic. I am also adding an attic ladder for All of your drywall seams will be on the joists, not just 1 direction. I figured this was made to hold/section off the blown-in insulation, but my friend mentioned they may be there to keep the joists from warping. I'm thinking of making the attic into living space. This is certainly the easiest option. Knee walls on the sides, and 2x4 floor joists under attics floorboards. The vertical piece of the strongback gives more support than just one on a flat. Thus, the span is about 12. The approx sq footage of my attic is around 975 sq ft. Full the spaces between the frame members with insulation. An attic catwalk gives you a margin of safety when you are in the attic. If you put plywood up there and use it for storage, you risk exceeding the maximum load rating of the truss, damaging your roof structure or causing the truss to fail. some people are suggesting to put some on top while i wouldnt do Jan 28, 2021 · I hauled the boxes into the attic and began placing the rectangles between my 24-inch on-center horizontal attic floor joists. Trusses 12' span and 4' apex. The cut joists should have been bridged like it. check local codes. 2x4's with glued 3/4" ply loaded to 15#/sqft LL will span 10. They also brace the gable wall at plate height, and keep joists on layout during construction. The Code (ICC Table R301. They just hold 2 and 5 from maybe sagging over time or falling through if stepped on. All our current 2x6 joist are spaced 16" on center. There are no soffit vents 5. If your attic access allows you to get 4' x 8' sheets up there, great. Apr 11, 2019 · I am trying to add floor joists to an attic and intend for getting decent amount of support for plywood flooring and storage. You can see the profile of the insulation a bit at the right hand side where the hatch is (plus, there is blown in fiberglass to the top of the joists). Any recommendations would be greatly appreciated. there are headers above the windows and doors; and we installed new windows (not replacements) so we reframed the window why we did this. When we moved in, the attic had probably 2-3 inches of sparsely covered loose insulation and out upstairs was noticeably colder despite central heating. I have gone in attic but never really walked a great distance so I wanted to check how should I go about walking in attic. Mar 16, 2012 · 3. The underside (ceiling side) will be faced, and once all the batts are in, I plan to cover some portions with OSB to make attic access/storage easier. In this first area I was able to place 5 of the 20 rectangles covering an area of 24 inches by 80 inches. per square foot plus all dead loads (carpet, floor sheathing, joists, ceiling finish below, etc. What i need is the proper way to join an existing 2x4 with a newly placed 2x4. Jan 11, 2011 · It's a large attic (35x60) with full stairs leading up, and joists 16" OC. If you can do this depends on how your attic space was designed. Compared to a habitable floor that may have a 3/4” subfloor and 3/4” finish flooring. This said, I'm attempting to place plywood atop 2x4s standing on their sides, 16" OC, nailed into the joists with strongtie joiners. Dec 1, 2011 · -The joists themselves are 2*4 spaced again at 24" oc -joist span 14' ext. Option 1) sister up 4 2x6 against 4 existing 2x4 using hurricane clips on the ends. Heating and ventilation, windows, egress, electrical, insulation. The ceiling joist portion of the truss seem very weak. Nail the heck ouf of the plywood to connect them. Our house is 80 years old with the ceiling joist 2x4, 16"OC span 26' cross with a bearing wall in the middle. In a floor system, we use several floor joists properly spaced from each other, so that subflooring materials like plywood or wooden planks are safe to walk on. I have a 30 ft clear span garage using the full 2x4 flange I joists. Use a span table to determine the necessary joist dimensions, given their span length, spacing, wood species, and grade. After climbing around in the attic to try to determine the best place to put a new access, it seems any viable location is blocked by these 2x4s that run perpendicular along the top of the ceiling joists. ). Either way, are your trusses 2x6 or 2x4? Sep 17, 2017 · IMO, 3 2x6's with a 1/2" space between (16" joist spacing) will be sufficient to walk on. Maybe by todays standards it would be done differently, but that doesn't make my attic truss construction insufficient. Between 24 inch joists, each rectangle covers 16 linear inches. To make the area more useable and secure, now I want to put in 5/ Nov 28, 2011 · The 2x4 atop the joist is a joist extension to allow room for R19 insulation below the catwalk. 2X4s are laid flat and nailed across the attic rafters to provide bracing against the outward force of the roof pressing down. Is there anyway to hang a suspended floor so I can use the space for storage? Are there any other ways to put a floor in or add storage to the attic? Pics of the space are provided below. It's also possible to tie 2x4s onto the lower edge of the existing ones to make a sort of DIY I-joist. I am no engineer but logically I am thinking this would work. Since this is storage/occasional usage, 1/2" plywood should work ok. Assuming every wall perpendicular to the joists is directly connected to the joists, then you won't know the deflection without knowing the distance between the two walls. I know the attic is meant for light storage but the previous owner used it as bedrooms for over 20 years. Can you take a picture inside your attic and provide us some measurements? One option I can think of is to install some full length 2x12 joists alongside the 2x6 joists and put them on 2' centers, then lay some plywood (rated for 24" span) on top of that. Ceiling joist are support by a wall that runs roughly down the middle of the house. Attic currently only has batt insulation in rafter cavities with wall paneling over top. My question is: Jan 29, 2022 · About Press Copyright Contact us Creators Advertise Developers Terms Privacy Policy & Safety How YouTube works Test new features NFL Sunday Ticket Press Copyright It's possible that there's wiring running under the insulation and over the joists, so you need to watch out for that as well. I guess you could place 2x4 joists over existing 2x6 joists and support a 45#/sqft LL on a 10. 5" with a 2x2 vs raised up 5. You can use the sagulator to get an approximate deflection. They are attached to the attic joists with 1x1 pieces nailed in and running vertical. 2x4 on flat but 2x10 vertical, use lag screws to assemble and into the joists. Option 2 has the benefit of preventing any thermal bridging via the ceiling joists. A floor frame consists of framing members that rest on posts, beams or foundation walls. Sep 4, 2023 · Cut floor joists are supported by the super-strong ladder frame. 2. It was like that for decades. Jan 1, 2011 · When the header joist span exceeds 4 feet (1219 mm), the trimmer joists and the header joist shall be doubled and of sufficient cross section to support the floor joists framing into the header. Each joist is connected by a vertical 2x4 to the roof rafter above it positioned about 4' from the wall. That seem far away, and 2"x4"s never seemed that strong to me to begin with. I realize that truss joists which support the roof's weight are not to be compromised as can regular ceiling joists. Cable run across the top of joists. Ductwork in attic space above Jan 2, 2022 · Since it evidently held up the ceiling and the ladder the old way, just add two 2x4 to bring the width down and call it a day. I thicken the floor in a box beam array, building upward. Aug 11, 2009 · The 13-1/2' dimension of my living room (1950s construction) is spanned by 2x4 ceiling joists at 18" on center. I'd stay away from AtticDek and install plywood instead. Apr 3, 2021 · The joists in the attic are both close together and unevenly spaced (between 14 and 14. There are 26 rafter bays in the attic floor, each 340 inches long, from outside of top plate to outside of top plate. 1) Can the joist be cut to make room for the attic ladder. Nov 5, 2020 · I have insulated my 440 sqft (barring furnace and access entrance) garage attic space and am going to floor it with 3/4" x 2' x 4' (because joists are ~23" apart) sande pine ply from the center out to the rafters (any further to the walls would be cutting around rafter base and dealing with various cables). . The doubled up 2x12s on 24" centers are equivalent to single 2x12 joists spaced on 12" centers (equivalent for the purpose of sizing joists, not for selecting floor sheathing thickness). My attic used to have blown-in insulation, with plywood sheets and planks here and there for access and storing junk, atop 2X4 ceiling joists holding up a plaster and lathe ceiling. Even if I have to add two additional 2x4s for the bathroom. Should I be sistering the joists? The minimum size for a joist depends on the span and the spacing and the required floor loading. Jan 24, 2023 · A: Yes, the same principles and techniques used for sistering ceiling joists can also be applied to floor joists or rafters. I moved into our new home a year ago, 2 story home, 2008 build, with an attic (attic is approx 1500 sq ft). I'm reluctantly learning that attic insulation is a system that works together: fill the space between joists. They were willing to drop a line in the wall I'd suggest you consult with a structural engineer to see if you can simply "double" the joists by adding a joist next to your existing joists and adding additional joists at 24 in. I don't believe I need a 2x6 wall thickness and would save more than 40% on lumber cost if I went with a 2x4 wall. wall to middle load bearing wall and then 12' from middle load bearing wall to other ext. The 2x6 (maybe 2x8) on a flat running perpendicular to the joist system is providing bracing. As you walk across the joists you're creating downward force as well as a torsional load as you push yourself forward. 2) How much weight could the ceiling joist hold. If the attic is accessible by permanent stairs or ladder, any cable running across the top of joists will have to be protected. Feb 14, 2008 · Is an attic with only 2x4 joists holding up the ceiling strong enough to use for storage. then you need to INCREASE YOUR JOIST SIZE. I have found zero mention online of anyone finishing an attic space with only 2x4 joists as support, as they all say it is not enough. Your joists are probably fine as-is if it will continue to be used as attic space, especially if it has a low ceiling and thus will never be used as a bedroom or anything. 5" raised up if using 2x4s but I don't realty trust the strength of a 2x4 joists even though it technically can span such a small space over existing joists 24" OC but I would rather just screw 2x2s over the existing joists and put the plywood over that. We also thought of altering every other ceiling joist -- too many and you couldn't store anything in the attic. Can you use 2x4's for a ground-level deck? A ground-level deck can be built from 2x4 if the span is less than 5'8" (1. Bud Lots of good information here - thanks - no single 2nd floor room is greater than 12x12 - i think the price is around $9 per 2x8x10 joist at home depot, which is perfectly acceptable to me - i dont think i need more than 60 or so if i my count is right. My idea was to use a 4x4 and run it east to west across the joists. The floor joist are 2x4s. I cut some holes in our walls to attempt to install a bathroom fan in the main floor, and I believe I discovered we are living on 2x4 joists for the second floor. 5’ double LVL from the brick wall to 2 2x4 8’ height studs across my kitchen. So i plan on putting two additional full length joists which would connect to the new framing for the attic hatch, on top of continuing the original joist. Aug 17, 2017 · The attic has 2x4 ceiling joists with 1x4 collar ties about 80" above the joists. Previous owners have tried to fix it with a mix of various methods. It had formerly been 3 separate children's rooms. My ultimate plan is to sister the joists to make a sturdier attic ceiling, blow in insulation on the roof, and put plywood across the joists for a storage platform for my boxes Option 1: Just add subfloor on existing 2x4 @ 16” oc. 5'. Dec 24, 2015 · One in particular is the fact the stairs to the attic (on the attic of the second floor) was installed perpendicular to the ceiling joists since the stairs mount cuts through 2 ceiling joists, instead of being turned so that the stairs simply sits between two neighboring ceiling joists. Two east facing walls that have been drywalled but not insulated (slope walls, drywall applied to rafters) 7. spacing. You would have to provide a gap between the added sections of wood to provide a channel for the wires to lay in. Ceiling joists are sized like floor joists except that deflection limits vary depending on whether the joists will be used for attic storage or will have a plaster or drywall finish. The joists span. 2x6's on edge running perpendicular to the joists will also distributed the load across more joists. and run 21' from the front wall to the back wall on the right side and 21' from the front wall to a doubled up 2x4's extending from the back wall on the right side of garage over to the left side wall of garage. for me here its 1/300th. Check your code and follow the AWC tables accordingly. Depending on the species and grade of ceiling joists, 2x4’s @ 16” oc spanning 10’ can support about 12 psf Live Load plus 8 psf Dead Load. Mar 31, 2024 · If anybody do, it's off the books. May 25, 2017 · I have a 90 year old house that had its rafters and attic joists originally built with 2x4s. Then lay batts on top, perpendicular to the joists. Based on the following design requirements: an uninhabitable attic with limited storage has a live load of 20 Psf, a dead load of 10 Psf, and a deflection limit of L/240 (span in inches divided by Make sure to also do that in the attic (although depending on how the 2 spaces are connected it may not be important, if it's another attic space on the other side of the wall) For your main question, if the garage has an attic space, just do blown in and not batt insulation between the joists. Aug 1, 2011 · I have standard 2x4 rafters and want to use it just for storage and I am worried they are not strong enough. c. i thought maybe non-inverted i-joist hangers would work, are there full 2" hangers available for rough 2x's? My contractor from hell replaced a load bearing wall with a 21. If the boards are too short by an inch or two going across the joists, sister a 2x4 to the joist. I also can tell if the white blown in insulation is fiberglass or cellulose. Jan 24, 2024 · The joists are sized to carry 30 psf live load and at least 10 psf dead load (20 psf dead load for #2 grade or better, non-Southern Pine joists). Also an attic typically has a much lower fire separation (1/2” plywood decking on top of the joists, 3/4” planks with huge gaps, or maybe open joists?). I am open to any idea that is safe and easy to do. I have taken down all the plaster and lathe and am replacing it with sheetrock. The braces seem to be resting on the top plate of the 2x4 walls (16 oc), but are not connected to the top plate. I have actually done this twice where it was easy and economical under peculiar circumstances. All meeting up on the load wall. 5 percent higher than that in the upper joist - not enough difference to justify more gussets. Make sure you don't step on any cut joist while Nov 5, 2023 · This catwalk is 11" above the top of the joists. There is a 1/2" plywood sub-floor on top of the joists. Thank you! Feb 18, 2005 · i have roughsawn 2x4 joists, i think, haven't actually been in the attic yetthey close on mondaythought i would wait to get dirty until then. 5) an attic floor or a sleeping room floor shall support a minimum of 30 lbs. May 3, 2004 · Framing, Flooring and Sub-Flooring - Attic framing: vertical 2x4s - In the middle of my circa 1964 attic there are several 2x4 beams set vertically between the joists below and the main beam at the top of the roof line. Screw the frame to the joists to secure it in place, making sure not to screw into electrical wires. Can I install some strong backs? Dec 11, 2016 · I have a 2x4 truss ceiling in my garage spanning 21 feet. You may walk along a plywood pathway and feel a little bounce in the floor and think, “Hey, maybe that’s ok?” You may have plenty of head height up there in the middle and think it could work as a room — maybe a home office, with a desk and bookshelves where the Apr 13, 2021 · A 15 foot span with a 2x4, even an "honest" 2x4, is an awfully long span. There are a multitude of braces and because of this and the lack of head room the further in you go, we only use about 6ft of the depth of the attic. Mar 4, 2007 · There are 1/2 inch plywood pieces about 8 inches wide on every joist to roof rafter about 7 foot from each wall that is 24 foot long in the span of the 2x4's. 3 percent more stress than the upper - too much work for not much improvement, in my book. Jul 18, 2010 · Hi, I had a question regarding attic insulation. My curr The existing joists are supported on their ends by an indent in the brick wall of the structure. My question is, is there any issue with using 2x8 as joist for the attic storage over a 2x4 16" OC studded wall. Don't see any issues assuming no moisture issues coming from that concrete ceiling. Rim joists are the parts of the floor frame running perpendicular to the floor joists and enclose the ends of the floor joist assembly holding the joists in position. Its also a steel framed house and I wanted all the insulation on top of the joists. For instance, 2x4" douglas fir going across Dec 2, 2009 · Framing, Flooring and Sub-Flooring - Upgrading attic floor joists to carry floor load - single story home with a 11 foot high hip roof with a flat top - it is basically a giant cave up in the attic. Tail joists over Mar 12, 2019 · Chances are, your attic is composed of 2x4 rafters and floor joists. The attic is difficult-ish to access as it's just a piece of drywall in the ceiling. Fill the 2x4 joist space with r-13 Jul 12, 2016 · People walk on the joist often when they are in their attic space. I'll go re-figure what At some point previous owners built into the attic space to create more bedrooms. Current, the cut joist, longer one, is held up by ceiling drywall. Contributing editor Mike Guertin teams up with structural engineer David Grandpré to detail six common, and not-so-common, ways to stiffen up the joists and keep the china cabinet from wobbling. Mar 19, 2014 · I need to go in attic and walk all the way across to do something. I believe this is called cripple joists. There are walls on each paralam supporting tgi rafters mid span. wall-5/8 osb screwed down to joist for decking The decked area runs down the middle of the attic about 8' wide the entire length of the house about 45'. I am concerned the ceiling will not hold the weight. Jun 4, 2015 · I have seen similar questions online, but not my situation specifically. Currently the attic joists are 2x4 (real 2x4s) , We discovered an area in the attic that has 2x4 screwed on perpendicular to the existing 2x4 floor joists…. i. i cant be certaib as your picture doesnt help nor am i personally there but make sure you have enough roof vents for your attic space. 6 Ways to Stiffen a Bouncy Floor – Bouncy floors are one of the most vexing problems faced in houses, both new and old. 5" with 2x6s (or 3. The builder is well respected even to this day. 5-3" construction screws, or 8-10d nails are typical for holding 2x4's together - construction adhesive can be added, too. In nj and never saw 2x4 floor but ceilings yes. Jun 5, 2021 · Those are joists and the measurements center to center can be all over the place. 2x4 joists 24 inches apart. Will my idea work: First sistering the attic 2x4 with 2x6. They are Floor joist blocking is taking solid lumber, typically the same size as your floor joists, and fastening pieces perpendicular between every pair of joists in a straight or staggered line. I understand these joists are undersized. Do I need additional posts or beams for support or am I just totally going about this the wrong way? Jul 30, 2024 · A floor joist is a part of a floor system that acts as a beam, supporting the load acting upon the attached flooring material. Oct 20, 2021 · My attic is unfinished, and the joists are true to size (2” x 4”) rough sawn 2x4s (two 10’ pieces make up the 20’ span), 16” OC, cathedral roof. For instance, if the insulation between the floor joists is short an r-value of 10 to meet code, then you would use a 2x4 as a furring strip on top of the insulated joist since the 2x4 will "fur" up the floor an additional 3. Everything is 2x4's. The existing truss is 13' across and 24'' span between 2x4 ceiling joists. If this conversion needs a permit, you may have to upgrade. The vertical 2x4s are set perpendicular to the joists and in line with the main roof beam. 25 and roughly 16"oc (but not super exact) There's a span of 31 inches from the inside of the left joist to the inside of the right joist and I want to remove a section of the middle joist (marked X). 5. My attic is unfinished, and the joists are true to size (2” x 4”) rough sawn 2x4s (two 10’ pieces make up the 20’ span), 16” OC, cathedral roof. Nov 22, 2015 · We are trying to finish an above garage attic space as a playroom (since the ceiling will be slanted - 7' to 4' headroom). Oct 20, 2021 · My house is 100 years old in Ontario, Canada. 2nd floor bedrooms get real cold in subzero temps. They are tied to the 2x6 rafters about 48" OC correctly, and the house has stood here 98 years without any structural problems I can find. We were going to sister 2x8 to the existing 2x6 but are worried about the extra weight and the huge amount of pain it will be. Hopefully the attached pictures provide additional info. Regards, derf When insulating an attic with batts between the joists and layers of batt insulation over the joists, is it best to add some support boards ( plywood, 2x4 boards, etc) to the attic floor before adding the layers of batts over the attic floor? Feb 9, 2016 · If you put a beam across the room you'll feel bad every time you look at it. Keep in mind, this is a Parallel Chord arrangement. Finally, if you can't get a standard size joist (2x6 or larger) to work, you'll have to find a way to prove to your building department will accept 2x4's. Oct 5, 2011 · Currently the joists (truss joists) are 24" OC and I'm considering installing the door in such a way to require removing approximately 5' of a joist to gain wider access. Also, at the middle of each joist (where it sport red line meets the joist/truss) there is another 2x4 cross the whole garage. The longest span is 145" at 16"OC. Aug 26, 2007 · How much (or little) of a space would you put between the 2X8 existing ceiling joists and the new 2X4 attic floor joists? SamT, I can raise the floor in attic up to 6 inches, by hanging the 2X4s or 2X6s flush to the top of the paralams running down the 20ft sides. Hope that helps. The ceiling joists on the second floor are 2x4s. My idea is to use 2x4-10 for the walls then in the loft area use 2x4-8 for the walls and run 2x6-10 the width of the cabin to create the loft floor joists. Hope to use attic as a storage area, unheated. It is 2 stories plus a huge attic. Nov 24, 2014 · I have a 1930 home with 2x4 ceiling joists that I would like to reinforce to make the attic space above a 'creative project' room. If what's there is too wimpy in places, guess I'll replace it with new. No sistering or modification of i-joists to the existing situation. rmhitx aehvzk jrl xafhkd ppacx nzktv jshxxf sdhi iqfl lmela