Putting Plywood In Attic For Storage

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Putting plywood in attic for storage.

Find more great content from diy network. Not helpful 10 helpful 31. 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. Maneuvering heavy 4 x 8 sheets of plywood or osb oriented strand board up to an unfinished attic is sometimes like trying to fit a square peg into a round hole.

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. Cut the plywood into manageable strips about 10 inches wide to make the job easier. Install two by four blocking between joists or wherever needed to support edges of the plywood that do not have support from the bottom. Another option are plastic decking panels a new addition for attic storage.

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. Like the riser the plywood decking should be screwed down rather than nailed for the same reason. Put on work gloves safety glasses and a dust mask before entering the attic. It might seem impossible to haul it up to the attic.

Access to attic 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 the attic has the potential to become a regular living space talk with a contractor about adding a fixed stairway. 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.

Wear long sleeves and pants since fiberglass insulation irritates the skin if it comes into contact with it. Use 3 4 inch plywood. Plywood comes in large sheets. Turn unused attic space into much needed storage room as part of karl champley s wasted spaces.