Add Bridging Attic Joist

Most new construction uses 2 by 8 lumber for joists although 2 by 6.

Add bridging attic joist.

Add weatherstripping around the perimeter and a sweep to the door of a walk up attic. Purchase the type of lumber that matches the width of the existing joist. Use a zippered insulated tent to keep the enclosure draft free attic tent at 7 attic cover insulator 120. Then measure the span of the joists the distance between walls or beams that support the joists.

Divide the span by three and add rows of bridging at both of the one third points. Once the structure has passed the building inspection you can run electrical plumbing and mechanical lines and insulation as applicable then install plywood subflooring. Yet it is not uncommon to find bridging not properly installed or missing all together. Attach the bridging fasten metal bridging with 1 3 8 in.

Pull down stair or ladder. A raised platform of lumber in dimensions of 2 4 or 2 6 with insulation placed between joists and covered up with a 12 inch plywood helps build the right flooring. Floor joist bridging is critical to the structural strength of a floor as shown in figure 1. Start by making sure the original bridging is tightly fastened.

What i would do is to add a 2 4 to the top and bottom of each joist using glue and structural screws to convert each joist into an i joist in place piffin writes. Affix rigid foam insulation to the attic side of the hatch or door. Measure the width and length of the existing joist. Proper bridging distributes the load on the floor to other joists and over time prevents floors from sagging and squeaking do to floor joists twisting and warping.

Each piece of bridging requires four nails two at each end. Installing flooring material over the attic doesn t quite leave room for the recommended insulation space needed to provide efficient home energy. Add nails or screws if necessary. Attic hatch or door.

You could even possibly introduce a good crown to each by holding the bottom chord in place with a slightly long 2 4 post under the center as you install it. Put 2x8 blocks at the third points set at the midheight of the assembly and bridging the horizontal joint between top and bottom joists. Bridging or x bracing allows joists to share weight.