How To Reinforce Joist Attic Floor

My calculations tell me assuming 2 southern yellow pine joists which are common in my area that 2x6s 16 inches on center will span 9 feet 9 inches with allowable deflection being the governing factor.

How to reinforce joist attic floor.

Be sure to jot down your measurements and mark it on the diagram so you have a good record of where they go. Long spans of joists in newer homes may wobble or bounce from foot traffic. Tommy s trade secrets how to level a buckled floor duration. You also need to ensure that the joist spacing is adequate.

After several centuries of service floor joists in older homes may sag or crack. How to make 2x6 joists work in an attic renovation and pass inspection. You will have to use a very sturdy piece of wood or some steel plating to reinforce the floor joists. Step 4 reinforce the floors.

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. 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. It might be a good idea to make a drawing of the floor joist as a reference. Gluing and screwing a 3 4 attic subfloor and providing solid bridging should also be considered.

But you can still double the capacity of the existing 2x6s in the attic floor so first let s make sure that s enough for your situation. 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. Attic joists for live loads. Joist dimensions are only part of the equation.