Putting Plywood In Attic For Storage

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Putting plywood in attic for storage.

The decision regarding the thickness of plywood to use for the subfloor in the attic has a lot to do with how you intend to use the attic and it also depends on the spacing of the ceiling joists. If you have a conventional home built within the last 30 years and all you want to do is make a small section of attic storage than no you can put plywood directly on the trusses. Wear long sleeves and pants since fiberglass insulation irritates the skin if it comes into contact with it. Use 3 4 inch plywood.

It might seem impossible to haul it up to the attic. Access to attic storage. Another option are plastic decking panels a new addition for attic storage. Cut the plywood into manageable strips about 10 inches wide to make the job easier.

Plywood comes in large sheets. Like the riser the plywood decking should be screwed down rather than nailed for the same reason. If you want to use your attic on a regular basis or to store large items you may need to enlarge the access opening and install an access ladder or drop down stairs. Put on work gloves safety glasses and a dust mask before entering the attic.

Turn unused attic space into much needed storage room as part of karl champley s wasted spaces. While nailing would be safe for the floor you are laying it could cause problems for the drywall and texture on the ceiling of the room below. To make the job easier use a circular saw to cut the plywood sheet first into 2 2 8 strips which will be much easier to handle. Get tips on mapping out an area in the center of your attic for storage and adding 12 to 15 inches of insulation in the rest of the space.

Install two by four blocking between joists or wherever needed to support edges of the plywood that do not have support from the bottom. If the attic has the potential to become a regular living space talk with a contractor about adding a fixed stairway. Find out why you must first put down insulation before you put down plywood in your attic. If your attic joists won t bear the weight necessary to finish out a living space but the engineer cleared them to support floor decking for light storage you can install inch plywood or.