Attic Floor -- Plywood question

[grigsby]

is that two layers of insulation? I know up north they will sometimes do that in attics.

basically you gotta build up the floor so that you don't compress the insulation otherwise you will diminish its effects.

Pull back some of the insulation and take another picture.

ALSO WHY THE FAWK ARE YOU DOING THIS JOB IN THE SUMMER!!!?

 

[Jays89YJ]

19/32 t&g sturdi-floor.

I would agree with this as well.

What's the spacing of the joists in the attic? To save money, you could go with an OSB T&G sturdifloor.

Don't get oak or birch plywood. Those are finish plys typically used on cabinets. Get a douglas fir ply. Or save some $ and go with OSB. It's an attic.

 

[Wharf Rat]

is that two layers of insulation? I know up north they will sometimes do that in attics.

Looks like it to me. It is VERY cold and windy here in the winter. We are literally the east side of the pocono mountains.

basically you gotta build up the floor so that you don't compress the insulation otherwise you will diminish its effects.

That's what I figgered.

Pull back some of the insulation and take another picture.

OK, will do.

ALSO WHY THE FAWK ARE YOU DOING THIS JOB IN THE SUMMER!!!?

I don't know, I like to torture myself?

Actually I have a HUGE list of stuff to do before Oct,/Nov. This is on it. It's not that much less pleasurable to do in the summer than the rest of the list. It just happens to be 25-30* hotter up there.

 

[Wharf Rat]

I would agree with this as well.

What's the spacing of the joists in the attic? To save money, you could go with an OSB T&G sturdifloor.

Don't get oak or birch plywood. Those are finish plys typically used on cabinets. Get a douglas fir ply. Or save some $ and go with OSB. It's an attic.

As measured last night, 16" on center.

Will definitely look into the OSB. Gotta do the first step first though.

 

[Jays89YJ]

The markup on materials is . If you know anyone in the construction business, ask for a favor. Price it out at lumber yards too. Lumber yards (Boise Cascade, Georgia Pacific, etc.) sell to HD & Lowes.

 

[grigsby]

I personally do not like OSB for attics. it tends to dry out and the strands of wood then flake off.

Basically it becomes messy, but if cost is an issue it will do. I just prefer to use pine plywood.

I removed all of the blown in insulation, installed batt insulation, and plywood decking in this house over the course of a couple of winters:

God that was a lot of work.

 

[Wharf Rat]

Yeah I'd say that's a lot of work all right. Damn.

OK so regarding spacing my floor up...let's say I need 4" or so at least. I'm guessing that it would not be good to have furring strips higher than they are wide, right? What I'm asking is, would it be better to use 4X4's or what? Or do I double up 2X2's?

 

[RhodeIslandRed]

Just build a shed to store your crap. It is going to wind up costing the same and you will still have decent attic insulation.

 

[Wharf Rat]

Just build a shed to store your crap. It is going to wind up costing the same and you will still have decent attic insulation.

The kind of stuff I would store up there is not going to be stored outside.

Plus I have very little in the way of flat ground for a shed.

I've already done the pull down door and stairs, there is no going back now.

 

[synonymous]

The kind of stuff I would store up there is not going to be stored outside.

Plus I have very little in the way of flat ground for a shed.

I've already done the pull down door and stairs, there is no going back now.

DON'T do a shed. Keeping something under YOUR roof > a shed by eleventy zillion.

 

[Wharf Rat]

DON'T do a shed. Keeping something under YOUR roof > a shed by eleventy zillion.

I agree 100%

So matt, what's your answer about the best way to gain more elevation than 2"?

If I need to get that floor up like 4-6" off the joists/rafters/whatever, what is the best way to do it?

 

[synonymous]

I agree 100%

So matt, what's your answer about the best way to gain more elevation than 2"?

If I need to get that floor up like 4-6" off the joists/rafters/whatever, what is the best way to do it?

Do you really need the double insulation between the ceiling below and your attic? Insulate the underside of the roof in that area, and only use one layer of insulation. Only good way to do it otherwise is to glue and toe nail 2x4s on top, and you WILL need blocking to keep everything laterally stable in said scenario (which isn't a big thing).

 

[Wharf Rat]

Fawk, this is going to be a LOT more work than I originally thought.

 

[synonymous]

Please post pic of your foot hanging through the ceiling below when you slip off a rafter and go through the drywall.

 

[frank_c]

DON'T do a shed. Keeping something under YOUR roof > a shed by eleventy zillion.

wasn't your washer and dryer in a shed out back?

 

[synonymous]

wasn't your washer and dryer in a shed out back?

Nope.

 

[RhodeIslandRed]

Build a bigger house.

 

[Wharf Rat]

Build a bigger house.

It's 4BR/3.5BA and 3,000 square feet.

I don't need a bigger house, I need a wife that stores less JUNK.

Then again, don't we all?

 

[synonymous]

It's 4BR/3.5BA and 3,000 square feet.

I don't need a bigger house, I need a wife that stores less JUNK.

Then again, don't we all?

A-fawking-men.

 

[Wharf Rat]

A-fawking-men.

That was quick.