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Can I floor my attic?

  • 25-09-2016 8:05pm
    #1
    Dublinneil
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 5 ✭


    Hi, my attic has 2x4 joists spaced 12" apart, I want to floor the center area of the attic, there's a supporting wall that the joists rest on running at the half way point for the joists to rest on, I hope i've explained this correctly, any help or advice appreciated!


Comments

  • #2
    Gumbo
    Moderators, Society & Culture Moderators Posts: 40,366 Mod ✭✭✭✭Gumbo


    Dublinneil wrote: »
    Hi, my attic has 2x4 joists spaced 12" apart, I want to floor the center area of the attic, there's a supporting wall that the joists rest on running at the half way point for the joists to rest on, I hope i've explained this correctly, any help or advice appreciated!

    You could seen in some chipboard or ply to the joists and use them for moving around and small scale storage.

    I would not be putting anything too heavy up there and concentrating heavy loads on 4x2 joists. They are not designed for habitable use or people.


    What are you hoping to gain up there? Storage, access or useability?


  • #3
    Dublinneil
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 5 ✭Dublinneil


    Many thanks for the reply!
    I was hoping to use the sides for storage camping gear/ nothing heavy and the center space as a study desk,
    do you think it's suitable for this? or should I look at strengthening what's there first?


  • #4
    Metric Tensor
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,725 ✭✭✭Metric Tensor


    We're not allowed give structural advice here

    BUT ...

    I think it wouldn't be breaking any rules to say that 4x2s at 300 centres are not sufficient for what you have proposed! You and your desk could well be be sitting in the middle of the double bed with your missus and a nice pile of plasterboard! ;)

    There are ways to strengthen things up so all is not lost .... you will probably have to give your friendly local engineer a ring though.


  • #5
    Gumbo
    Moderators, Society & Culture Moderators Posts: 40,366 Mod ✭✭✭✭Gumbo


    Dublinneil wrote: »
    Many thanks for the reply!
    I was hoping to use the sides for storage camping gear/ nothing heavy and the center space as a study desk,
    do you think it's suitable for this? or should I look at strengthening what's there first?

    Have you got a permanent stairs as access?
    Have you thought about the fire and escape requirements?


  • #6
    Musketeer4
    Banned (with Prison Access) Posts: 657 ✭✭✭Musketeer4


    Metric Tensor wrote: »
    We're not allowed give structural advice here

    BUT ...

    I think it wouldn't be breaking any rules to say that 4x2s at 300 centres are not sufficient for what you have proposed! You and your desk could well be be sitting in the middle of the double bed with your missus and a nice pile of plasterboard! ;)

    There are ways to strengthen things up so all is not lost .... you will probably have to give your friendly local engineer a ring though.

    No it won't! Such an occurrence is highly unlikely unless you start adding ridiculous loads.

    Realistically, the worst that could happen is some cracking of the ceilings and perhaps some spalling of the skim plaster due to excessive deflection of the joists under load.

    OP, it should be OK for general storage of light items. Don't go making it a habitable space or storing heavy items up there.

    If in doubt get an engineer to look at it and advise you.
    No engineer will tell you its OK to turn it into an office space with just 4x2 joists.


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  • #7
    Gumbo
    Moderators, Society & Culture Moderators Posts: 40,366 Mod ✭✭✭✭Gumbo


    Musketeer4 wrote: »
    OP, it should be OK for general storage of light items. Don't go making it a habitable space or storing heavy items up there.

    Is that not what MT just said :confused:
    Musketeer4 wrote: »
    If in doubt get an engineer to look at it and advise you.
    No engineer will tell you its OK to turn it into an office space with just 4x2 joists.

    Also, what MT said already :confused:

    Building Regulation Compliance is an issue here, and 4x2 will not comply with TGD Part A or TGD Part B if the op wants to use the attic as a study as he has already stated in his posts.


  • #8
    Eamondomc
    Closed Accounts Posts: 2,921 ✭✭✭Eamondomc


    Dublinneil wrote: »
    Hi, my attic has 2x4 joists spaced 12" apart, I want to floor the center area of the attic, there's a supporting wall that the joists rest on running at the half way point for the joists to rest on, I hope i've explained this correctly, any help or advice appreciated!

    Hi, I done a study and storage area in my attic a few years ago, I was advised to put in 9x1.5" joists, which I did on about half the attic and centred at the trapdoor and put in a staire, a stud wall surround and ended up with a 24x20' room, its a bungalow.
    Turned out a class job and I use it a fair bit and could store virtually anything up there.
    It cost me about 800 euro to do as I did all the work myself and my brother did the wiring (qualified) and put in a rad for me for free.

    PS. I didn't have to bust any of the old structure or ceilings, the new joists just sat in alongside the existing 5x2" joists in my case!


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