Add Bridging Attic Joist

Divide the span by three and add rows of bridging at both of the one third points.

Add bridging attic joist.

Measure the width and length of the existing joist. Once the structure has passed the building inspection you can run electrical plumbing and mechanical lines and insulation as applicable then install plywood subflooring. 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.

Add weatherstripping around the perimeter and a sweep to the door of a walk up attic. Start by making sure the original bridging is tightly fastened. Attic hatch or door. 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.

Each piece of bridging requires four nails two at each end. Put 2x8 blocks at the third points set at the midheight of the assembly and bridging the horizontal joint between top and bottom joists. Affix rigid foam insulation to the attic side of the hatch or door. Bridging or x bracing allows joists to share weight.

Most new construction uses 2 by 8 lumber for joists although 2 by 6. Add nails or screws if necessary. 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. Toenail the blocks or end nail through the joists to tie everything together.

Installing flooring material over the attic doesn t quite leave room for the recommended insulation space needed to provide efficient home energy. If the existing joist system is very close to being sufficient to support a new attic flooring the addition of bridging between the joists may be all that s required. 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.

Use a zippered insulated tent to keep the enclosure draft free attic tent at 7 attic cover insulator 120. 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. Floor joist bridging is critical to the structural strength of a floor as shown in figure 1.