Topic 'Attic flooring' in forum 'Home Improvement' - dslreports.com

Re: Attic flooring

Mon, 04 Mar 2013 13:30:26 EDT

35245635 posted : That turned out nice!

Re: Attic flooring

Wed, 27 Feb 2013 09:23:07 EDT

Draiman posted : I finished up the knee wall door yesterday.

Re: Attic flooring

Tue, 19 Feb 2013 09:20:01 EDT

Draiman posted : Here's a few new pictures. I'll be building the door to go in the frame this week sometime. I plan to have the knee wall door completely done by the end of the week and move on to the next section.
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What we're saying today is that you're either part of the solution or you're part of the problem. - E. Cleaver 1968

Re: Attic flooring

Mon, 18 Feb 2013 07:23:52 EDT

Draiman posted : I framed out the knee wall opening this week-end. I'll take some pictures tonight and post them. The last part is building the knee wall door. Thanks to Dennis's thread on the topic I was able to build one in the new garage so building another should be cake. :)
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Before you judge a man, walk a mile in his shoes; after that, who cares?! He's a mile away and you've got his shoes!

Re: Attic flooring

Wed, 13 Feb 2013 11:56:37 EDT

cableties posted : "That's a Makita Impact Driver. I bought it about 2 years ago and can't live without it anymore. The battery takes 15 minutes tops to charge and normally lasts 8-12 hours of use. I did all that flooring on the same battery for example."

It looks just like my Panny driver (impact). And I agree, best tool I've had with amazing torgue and battery life!
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Splat

Re: Attic flooring

Wed, 13 Feb 2013 11:29:34 EDT

Draiman posted : Here's the next section I need to install lighting and a floor. The insulation is about 2" higher then the joists so there will be a little compaction but the room below is 2-3 degrees warmer then any other room in the house anyways so it might actually help level it out which would be a good thing. It's roughly a 14' x 14' area.
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Before you judge a man, walk a mile in his shoes; after that, who cares?! He's a mile away and you've got his shoes!

Re: Attic flooring

Wed, 13 Feb 2013 08:17:51 EDT

Draiman posted :

said by cableties:

Question: any reason not to have staggered (the joints) the flooring? All the sheets look lined up...

That would just increase the material cost, waste, and labor adding no real value in return for attic flooring.

said by cableties:

How do you like the Panasonic driver? I am really happy with mine...so long between charges.

That's a Makita Impact Driver. I bought it about 2 years ago and can't live without it anymore. The battery takes 15 minutes tops to charge and normally lasts 8-12 hours of use. I did all that flooring on the same battery for example.
--
Before you judge a man, walk a mile in his shoes; after that, who cares?! He's a mile away and you've got his shoes!

Re: Attic flooring

Wed, 13 Feb 2013 07:56:25 EDT

cableties posted : Nice.

Question: any reason not to have staggered (the joints) the flooring? All the sheets look lined up...

How do you like the Panasonic driver? I am really happy with mine...so long between charges.
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Splat

Re: Attic flooring

Wed, 13 Feb 2013 07:16:39 EDT

Draiman posted : The flooring in the first section is done.

Re: Attic flooring

Wed, 06 Feb 2013 08:32:03 EDT

Draiman posted : They just said this year is 2% below 'normal and last year was 11% below 'normal. That means the new insulation is really helping out!

Re: Attic flooring

Wed, 30 Jan 2013 09:49:11 EDT

Draiman posted : Not sure exactly how much it cost to have done last year since they lots of other work as well at the same time. The total bill was $3,200 so I'm guessing maybe half that was the insulation and rigid board for the roof. They did about 250 sq. ft. so maybe somewhere around $6 per sq. ft. for them to do. I got a 75% discount as my power company covers the first 75%. I couldn't pass up $3,200 in work at a cost of $800 last year. I'm pretty sure we've already made that $800 back in heating cost saving so far. Normally buy 1,000 gallons of oil a year. We're on pace to use around 600 gallons which is less then last year which was 700 gallons and this year is a fair deal colder then last year. Right now oil is running about $3.60 a gallon and based on the heating degree days we should use 800 so that's a 200 gallon savings if it holds. That's a 1 year ROI. I'd do any home improvement project regardless of cost if it was a 1 year ROI!
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IF YOU FIND ANY MISTAKES IN MY WORK...Please consider that they are there for a purpose. I try to please everyone and there is always someone looking for mistakes!

Re: Insulating Attic

Wed, 30 Jan 2013 09:32:33 EDT

AVD posted :

said by lazidazi :

Attending the rafters w/insulation is going to be quite expensive!

check your ROI when looking at costs and finance accordingly.
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* seek help if having trouble coping
--Standard disclaimers apply.--

Re: Insulating Attic

Wed, 30 Jan 2013 09:31:03 EDT

garys_2k posted : Yeah, it allows you to NOT have a ventilated attic, where the goal would be to keep the attic space as cold as possible. All of the insulaiton is against the roof's inner surface, with the vapor retarder (in this case, the rigid foam boards' foil sheet) facing the attic. Spray foam like Icynene can be used for this as well as unfaced fiberglass (the spray foam has more R/inch but either can work).

Re: Insulating Attic

Wed, 30 Jan 2013 08:59:29 EDT

anon posted : You use fiberglass insulation under the rigid board to create a higher r-value insulation while moving the thermal envelope.

Appreciate your reply!

To be sure I understand, one would put (at least) R-19 fiberglass bats, between roof rafters, then put rigid board along bottom edge of rafters. Correct?

I currently have blown-in insulation between [8"] ceiling joists. If I attend the rafters, as per above, will that then suffice [assuming all other air gaps between living space & attic are stopped] as far as insulating the attic?

Attending the rafters w/insulation is going to be quite expensive!

Re: Attic flooring

Wed, 30 Jan 2013 05:53:12 EDT

Critsmcgee posted : Here's the basic idea.
»www.finehomebuilding.com/PDF/Fre···0088.pdf

Re: Insulating Attic

Tue, 29 Jan 2013 21:11:58 EDT

robbin posted :

said by lazidazi :

Okay, now - please don't anyone get fussy with me for asking an ignorant question.

RE Xcal's pictures, insulating attic with rigid foam board on the bottom edge of roof rafters: When one does this, is insulation at/between the ceiling joists then not needed? Is the rigid insulation at the rafters all that's needed for the attic? [including, of course, what he's done on the gable ends, et al]

This type of discussion should probably have a thread of it's own but in the meantime I will quote what I posted to another member earlier in this thread.

said by robbin:

You should research conditioned or unventilated attics. It has become more popular in recent years.

Re: Insulating Attic

Tue, 29 Jan 2013 21:05:56 EDT

Critsmcgee posted :

said by lazidazi :

You use fiberglass insulation under the rigid board to create a higher r-value insulation while moving the thermal envelope. R-19 fiberglass is the most common under the rigid board which is R-13 for a 2" thickness for a total of R-32. If you can get more then R-19 under the rigid board that's great. Some people use foam instead of fiberglass.

Re: Insulating Attic

Tue, 29 Jan 2013 19:39:46 EDT

anon posted : Okay, now - please don't anyone get fussy with me for asking an ignorant question.

RE Xcal's pictures, insulating attic with rigid foam board on the bottom edge of roof rafters: When one does this, is insulation at/between the ceiling joists then not needed? Is the rigid insulation at the rafters all that's needed for the attic? [including, of course, what he's done on the gable ends, et al]

Re: Attic flooring

Mon, 28 Jan 2013 12:52:09 EDT

ImpldConsent posted : Looks good and familiar. I did similar attic conversion over our garage in 2003 when my youngest was born. The only difference is I did place insulation over my unheated garage and made the attic space heated/cooled (and 2 x electrical outlets, overhead light and networked ... fun, fun). :D
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That's "MISTER" Kafir to you.

Re: Attic flooring

Mon, 28 Jan 2013 12:45:16 EDT

Draiman posted :

said by garys_2k:

Looking good! Are you using screws to hold down the flooring?

Yup! I used 4 screws on each joist and there is 4 joists per section so 16 screws per 2' x 4' section.
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IF YOU FIND ANY MISTAKES IN MY WORK...Please consider that they are there for a purpose. I try to please everyone and there is always someone looking for mistakes!

Re: Attic flooring

Mon, 28 Jan 2013 12:03:18 EDT

garys_2k posted : Looking good! Are you using screws to hold down the flooring?

Re: Attic flooring

Mon, 28 Jan 2013 11:59:24 EDT

Draiman posted : I didn't get the first of three sections completely finished but it's coming along nicely. I put around 500 lbs of books onto a section and it didn't do anything. This section is around 7' x 12' the next is 7' x 22' and the last is 14' x 14'.
--
IF YOU FIND ANY MISTAKES IN MY WORK...Please consider that they are there for a purpose. I try to please everyone and there is always someone looking for mistakes!

Re: Attic flooring

Fri, 25 Jan 2013 07:20:08 EDT

Draiman posted : They delivered the flooring yesterday. Those are ~2'x4' pieces of 5/8" CDX plywood. That's most of it minus the 12 pieces I moved into the house to install this week-end.

Re: Attic flooring

Thu, 24 Jan 2013 23:32:52 EDT

Msradell posted :

said by sempergoofy:

A system to consider:
»www.infiniteattic.com/

while those seem real need at 1st glance, they could be a major source of problems. Most engineered trusses are not designed to support extra weight (except for sheet rock and insulation) on the bottom stringers. Using the system without having approval of the designers of the trusses could lead to failure of the trusses.

Re: Attic flooring

Thu, 24 Jan 2013 21:47:48 EDT

tp0d posted : wow, my brain hurts reading this thread..

sad to see the convo goto shit like this.. xcal, kudos on keepin it together.. and good luck with your project, 1/2" ply is the good choice.

-j
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if it aint broke, tweak it!!
currently on FiOS (kick aZZ!)

Re: Attic flooring

Wed, 23 Jan 2013 14:30:49 EDT

robbin posted :

said by DKS:

said by robbin:

said by DKS:

You may also have moisture/condensation problems. You appear to have no soffit venting, with the insulation plugging that air space up. I would describe that attic as a mould farm just waiting to happen. Attics have air circulation for a reason. That seems to be a dead air space.

You should research conditioned or unventilated attics. It has become more popular in recent years.

In my environment, it's a non-starter. Attic air circulation and insulation are done for a reason. It actually cools the house.

I'm not going to Google it for you but you obviously have no insight into new thinking regarding conditioned, unventilated attics. It can be done in all climates although the climate will determine the proper design.

Re: Attic flooring

Wed, 23 Jan 2013 09:19:33 EDT

Draiman posted : I just ordered the 5/8" CDX Fir/Spruce Plywood @$25.40/ea and they are ripping it into 2' x 4' pieces (quarters) and delivering it at no charge tomorrow. If anyone wants pictures when it's finished let me know via IM.

Thanks to everyone for the help. That concludes my involvement in this thread. :)

PS: Feel free to discuss this more as it might pertain to someone else searching Google about this same thing. I'm all set on tips, advice, etc. on my project though.
--
IF YOU FIND ANY MISTAKES IN MY WORK...Please consider that they are there for a purpose. I try to please everyone and there is always someone looking for mistakes!

Re: Attic flooring

Wed, 23 Jan 2013 09:17:12 EDT

Chinabound posted :

said by Draiman:

I just ordered the 5/8" CDX Fir/Spruce Plywood @$25.40/ea and they are ripping it into 2' x 4' pieces (quarters) and delivering it at no charge tomorrow.

Thanks to everyone for the help. That concludes this thread. :)

PS: Mods can lock it up!

Once again, this isn't the For Sale forum.

Re: Attic flooring

Wed, 23 Jan 2013 09:12:58 EDT

Draiman posted : Please refrain from derailing the thread with off topic stuff. You should know better then this!

Re: Attic flooring

Wed, 23 Jan 2013 09:09:56 EDT

Chinabound posted : This isn't the For Sale forum.

Re: Attic flooring

Wed, 23 Jan 2013 09:00:46 EDT

Draiman posted : *removed*

Re: Attic flooring

Wed, 23 Jan 2013 08:55:47 EDT

Draiman posted : In case you didn't hear or understand the first time. Please refrain from derailing the thread with off topic stuff. You should know better then this!
--
IF YOU FIND ANY MISTAKES IN MY WORK...Please consider that they are there for a purpose. I try to please everyone and there is always someone looking for mistakes!

Re: Attic flooring

Wed, 23 Jan 2013 08:46:25 EDT

DKS posted :

said by Draiman:

If there haven't been any issues in over 40-50 years so far there's no reason to think they will start now. If that's not enough time to know nothing is!

If you only did the new insulation last year, the last 40 years are no measure at all.
--
Need-based health care not greed-based health care.

Re: Attic flooring

Wed, 23 Jan 2013 08:44:30 EDT

Draiman posted : Please refrain from derailing the thread with off topic stuff. You should know better then this!

Re: Attic flooring

Wed, 23 Jan 2013 08:41:33 EDT

DKS posted :

said by Draiman:

said by DKS:

What effect will the flooring have on heat transfer from below? All wood has an R value. You have water pipes up there. Right now you are heating the space from below. What impact will that new floor have on the ambient temp of the attic space if you create a dead air space (insulation with the flooring (more insulation)?

You may also have moisture/condensation problems. You appear to have no soffit venting, with the insulation plugging that air space up. I would describe that attic as a mould farm just waiting to happen. Attics have air circulation for a reason. That seems to be a dead air space.

It's dead air space with or without flooring. The other side has flooring that's been there since about 1960 with no issues. The water pipes have been there since around 1970 with no issues. I just had that rigid board installed in 2012 to do it right but over 40 years of it being wrong and it's still there working fine. That new work doubled the R value from about R15 to about R30. Not worried at all about pipes freezing, weight, dead air, or anything else crazy people can come up with only flooring and that it's already decided to be 5/8" plywood.

Thanks to everyone for the help. That concludes this thread. :)

You miss my point entirely. The soffits are unvented. There is little air circulation. You will have issues, I believe. Mould can develop over time. Watch for black.
--
Need-based health care not greed-based health care.

Re: Attic flooring

Wed, 23 Jan 2013 08:39:38 EDT

DKS posted :

said by robbin:

said by DKS:

You should research conditioned or unventilated attics. It has become more popular in recent years.

In my environment, it's a non-starter. Attic air circulation and insulation are done for a reason. It actually cools the house. That being said, I have lived in old houses with rooms like that which are insulated and not vented properly, with wood floors. Hot as hell in summer and cold as a an ice cube in winter, even with air conditioning and heating.
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Need-based health care not greed-based health care.

Re: Attic flooring

Wed, 23 Jan 2013 08:35:01 EDT

Draiman posted : *removed*

Re: Attic flooring

Wed, 23 Jan 2013 07:53:45 EDT

robbin posted :

said by DKS:

You should research conditioned or unventilated attics. It has become more popular in recent years.

Re: Attic flooring

Wed, 23 Jan 2013 07:23:34 EDT

Draiman posted :

said by DKS:

Re: Attic flooring

Wed, 23 Jan 2013 07:14:33 EDT

DKS posted : What effect will the flooring have on heat transfer from below? All wood has an R value. You have water pipes up there. Right now you are heating the space from below. What impact will that new floor have on the ambient temp of the attic space if you create a dead air space (insulation with the flooring (more insulation)?

You may also have moisture/condensation problems. You appear to have no soffit venting, with the insulation plugging that air space up. I would describe that attic as a mould farm just waiting to happen. Attics have air circulation for a reason. That seems to be a dead air space.
--
Need-based health care not greed-based health care.

Re: Attic flooring

Tue, 22 Jan 2013 10:58:53 EDT

AVD posted :

said by garys_2k:

For your own safety you should at least ask the architect who designed your garage about how much you can safely store there. He may already have those joists at near max. load with how he designed it.

min 2' prestressed lw. conc. panels with piers framing into heilical piles in the basement.
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* seek help if having trouble coping
--Standard disclaimers apply.--

Re: Attic flooring

Tue, 22 Jan 2013 10:34:28 EDT

garys_2k posted : An advantage of plywood is that the layers provide redundancy, defects are much less likely to go "all the way through" than with non-laminated products.

Re: Attic flooring

Tue, 22 Jan 2013 10:28:02 EDT

Draiman posted : I just priced out 1x6, 1x8, and 1x12 lumber. It's out of the ballpark sitting around $850-900 for the project where plywood is around $425.

Re: Attic flooring

Tue, 22 Jan 2013 09:48:29 EDT

tschmidt posted :

said by Draiman:

I was just talking with a co-worker who suggested just using standard 1" x 3" strapping since it's cheap. I don't mind the labor but would that work?

If this were my attic this is what I would do.

Since you have a small access portal and all you want is crude subfloor for storage I'd use dimensional lumber rather then plywood. IMHO 1x3 strapping is too narrow. I'd check with your lumber yard to see what they have that is cheap but wider, 1x6s are ideal. Since this is not tongue and groove lumber each piece needs to be able to fully support whatever load is placed on it. A crappy 1x3 with a big knot in the middle of a joist span means your foot might go right through the board.

Using dimensional lumber rather then plywood also makes it easier to add wiring or plumbing later since you only have to pull up a few boards in critical locations rather then large sheets of plywood.

/tom

Re: Attic flooring

Tue, 22 Jan 2013 09:28:15 EDT

garys_2k posted : Ah, I missed that, sorry. I was only concerned that you may cause an unsafe situation, I guess that was unwise.

Re: Attic flooring

Tue, 22 Jan 2013 09:02:01 EDT

Draiman posted :

said by garys_2k:

What does the garage have to do with the house? They have separate joists as they are completely different structures. I think your confused. The garage joists were oversized a LOT so there's no way in hell weight will ever be an issue in the new garage. The new garage attic space is already floored so it couldn't even be the subject of this thread.
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IF YOU FIND ANY MISTAKES IN MY WORK...Please consider that they are there for a purpose. I try to please everyone and there is always someone looking for mistakes!

Re: Attic flooring

Tue, 22 Jan 2013 08:53:26 EDT

garys_2k posted : For your own safety you should at least ask the architect who designed your garage about how much you can safely store there. He may already have those joists at near max. load with how he designed it.