Adding Ceiling Joists In The Attic

They must span at least three joists for stability.

Adding ceiling joists in the attic.

In the case of 2x6 joists you can pair them up with additional 2x6 joists by nailing them together side by side. Ceiling joists are typically 2 8 lumber floor joists are usually 2 10 or 2x 12 lumber. Gluing and screwing a 3 4 attic subfloor and providing solid bridging should also be considered. That s a big size and strength difference between the two types of attic joists even if the joist spacing is the same.

Adding a 2 x 4 along the bottom chord of the 2 x 6 ceiling floor joist maybe helpful in stiffening the joist as well. Standard joist spacing for the installation of attic flooring materials is 16 inches on center oc meaning the distance from the center of one joist to the center of the next joist is 16 inches. I m wondering if i could slip the needed support beam above the ceiling and hang the joists below the beam to keep the ceiling free of intrusions. Sistering is the process of adding a new joist next to each existing joist.

Sistering installing new larger joists next to the existing ones is one way to bring your attic floor up to code. Assuming that the wood ceiling attic floor joists are sound i was thinking that instead of removing all the existing plaster a messy job while people are living in the house we could install new 5 8 thick drywall to form a new ceiling and thereby confine the old plaster. Precise measurement is the most difficult as you need to consider all underlying obstructions carefully before proceeding with your plans. If you lose your balance you could crash through the ceiling.

Positioning the new joist adjacent to the existing preserves precious ceiling but it does come with some potential complications. The bedrooms are both on the back wall of the house at the gable end so a small hole would allow a beam to slide into the attic. Often existing joist bays are filled with electrical and heating ducts that will need to be relocated. Ceiling joists below that for the drywall.

Use a piece of plywood or a couple of sturdy wide boards as a standing surface and move them around as you work. Illuminate dark corners of the attic using portable battery operated lanterns or clip on workshop lights. If the attic were designed as living space those ceiling joists would become floor joists and be much bigger.