Now let s read about the steps for properly finishing the attic walls and ceiling.
Putting ceiling joists in the attic l.
Work from the perimeter of the attic toward the door or hatch so that you don t trample all over the insulation you just put in.
If you see a complicated framework of 2x4s held together with perforated metal plates your roof is framed with trusses.
The standard width for joists is 24 inches.
Ceiling joists are typically 2 8 lumber floor joists are usually 2 10 or 2x 12 lumber.
Attic joists that are made from 2x8s may be acceptable for building your attic floor but because every room is variable there are no absolutes.
They are designed to carry only the weight of the drywall or plaster depending on the age of your home.
Use of joists in attic flooring.
You also need to ensure that the joist spacing is adequate.
That s a big size and strength difference between the two types of attic joists even if the joist spacing is the same.
Precise measurement is the most difficult as you need to consider all underlying obstructions carefully before proceeding with your plans.
Instead you should place the cutout opening inline with the ceiling joists rafter ties.
Covering the ceiling joists in the attic using plywood is a cheap way to make better use of the wasted space in your house.
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.
Typically ceiling joists are 2 6 or 2 8.
First head to the attic.
Once we look to make the attic livable space the existing ceiling joists usually will not meet the structural requirement for a floor.
I would not put the attic stairs ladder assembly opening at right angles to the ceiling joists.
You potentially compromise too many of the rafter cross ties by doing that.
More times than not the floor structure of an existing attic is actually a ceiling joist.
Purchase rolls or packages of insulation that will fit in the spaces between the ceiling joists.
Joist dimensions are only part of the equation.
But if it s framed traditionally with big lumber rafters the roof can stay in place.
You ll have to remove the entire roof structure to vault the ceilings.
How to vault a ceiling.
This way you only need to cut one of them to make the room for the rough framing opening.
The subfloor installation is easy.
In the first step a knee wall is installed.
Attic joists for live loads.
The location of the top of the knee is marked and after checking the level long boards are attached to the ceiling joists.
Step 1 framing of the top and sides of the knee wall.
