Installing attic dek panels to create flooring in an attic is a great way to add storage space in a home for a beginning diyer.
Diy attic flooring for storage.
Measure the plywood and attic door.
Because the simplest and cheapest way to insulate an attic is to add material to the floor.
Joists of 2x8s or larger are able to support more weight.
Installing attic flooring for light storage only 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.
But if the floor is covered in plywood you can t stuff enough insulation beneath it to do the job sufficiently not even in warm climates.
Create a stable floor.
To eliminate any potential problems with wiring or insulation use two by four or two by six lengths to create a subfloor system for the new decking.
Purchase half inch 1 27 cm thick plywood to act as your flooring.
The below photos shows what my unfinished attic looked liked before the attic dek panels were installed.
As you can see before we put in the easy to install attic dek flooring there was a bunch of nothing going on in our unfinished attic.
It is really easy to lay down sheets of plywood between the rafters.
Joists that are only 2x4s may not be hardy enough to bear too much weight.
Stop using your attic for storage.
Plan to pull up the flooring and layer new insulation on top of the old.
To properly add an attic storage deck start by measuring the largest area available that is not hindered by any ductwork.
Here is an example for just a small space between rafters.
For 2x6s joists you can get away with some relatively light stuff.
Go into the attic to inspect how wiring is routed.
You definitely do not want to step through your ceiling and adding the flooring may be all the storage area you need.
Inspect the space for storage more the load anticipated sturdier should be the attic flooring.
You ll need to make sure that the plywood can fit through your attic door.
It s really a shame that our attic sat empty for so long before we discovered.
Old boards and lumber.
And preferably can avoid any existing roof support.
This is another before shot of the attic.
Don t add flooring until you review wiring and plumbing needs for the future.
The sections are durable lightweight easy to handle and resemble floor grates that provide plenty of ventilation for insulation below.