Ask Experts Questions for FREE Help !
Ask
    treyball3's Avatar
    treyball3 Posts: 45, Reputation: 4
    Junior Member
     
    #1

    Jun 12, 2009, 01:11 PM
    Attic support and insulation
    I own a 2 1/2 story home built in the 20s. We bought it as a fixer-upper and have done quite a bit of work already. The attic has two sides with windows, and the usable space is basically a T-shape. Someday we would like to finish the space and make it a bonus room. Currently, there is no insulation at all, and the attic floor and the roof are both framed with 2x4s. We thought about just blowing insulation in there for now, but don't want to waste the money and effort to pull all that back out. We were told that the 2x4s wouldn't be sufficient support if we ever wanted that to be usable space. So, we added a couple beams on the floors below where we were able, but that didn't fix all the areas.

    I'm trying to come up with ideas on how to make the floor stronger. If I rip up the floor and put 2x6s or 2x8s alongside the 2x4s and nailed them into place, making sure they were over the walls below, would that create enough support just because the boards are thicker? And if so, would 2x6s be sufficient? Or should I go up to 2x8s? Then, can I insulate that new floor before putting down the sub-floor? Someday I need to insulate the roof too, but we don't really have much for ventilation up there yet, so I need to do that before insulating the roof. At this point, I want to get it at least somewhat insulated before winter, while not doing unnecessary work that will cause wasted money and more work later. And I want to make the floor stronger so we can use it for storage.
    creahands's Avatar
    creahands Posts: 2,854, Reputation: 195
    Ultra Member
     
    #2

    Jun 12, 2009, 03:13 PM

    use 2x8 for new floor joist. This size is relative to span of beams.

    If going to make it a room in near future, would recommend insulating rafters not floor.
    Unless u will be wanting to deaden sound from new room or old room.

    Chuck
    treyball3's Avatar
    treyball3 Posts: 45, Reputation: 4
    Junior Member
     
    #3

    Jun 13, 2009, 07:08 PM
    We don't plan on actually doing the finish for a few years, so we were thinking we would insulate the floor so that we have some sort of insulation in the attic. It shouldn't hurt to have the floor insulated once we finish it right? I guess 2x8s it is! :)
    creahands's Avatar
    creahands Posts: 2,854, Reputation: 195
    Ultra Member
     
    #4

    Jun 13, 2009, 07:14 PM

    U should be fine

    Chuck

Not your question? Ask your question View similar questions

 

Question Tools Search this Question
Search this Question:

Advanced Search

Add your answer here.


Check out some similar questions!

Attic insulation [ 6 Answers ]

I am trying to add insulation to the ceiling of my friends house. Her dad had previously purchased it and it cannot be returned. The problem is that it has a face on one surface and the house has two previously applied layers. (1980's house) the bottom layer is blown in, the next is non faced...

Attic Insulation [ 2 Answers ]

Is it wise to put new insulation over old insulation in the attic? I have fiberglass insulation now and would use the same kind from a home supply center. My home was built in 1968. It would be a messy job removing the old insulation and replacing it with new insulation that is why I asked the...

Attic Insulation [ 3 Answers ]

I have a walk out attic over my garage. I was able to install myself r13 batts of over the 3rd car garage area as the studs fit the insulation perfect for what I installed in the walls of the garage. I had extra so used it up. The only section left to insulate is the 2 car part, but am not sure...

Attic Insulation [ 2 Answers ]

I have a two story box house. The attic has insulation under the floor. The 10 ft peak attic is for storage. Should I add insulation under the roof? Thanks, Steve

Attic Insulation [ 5 Answers ]

I'm in the process of building a house and have received conflicting advice on insulating the attic. The architect specified "Sealection" foam insulation against/under the roof with a conditioned attic. However, the builder decided to ignore this specification since that's method is not what they...


View more questions Search