Add Bridging Attic Joist

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 bridging attic joist.

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. Floor joist bridging is critical to the structural strength of a floor as shown in figure 1. Measure the width and length of the existing joist. Divide the span by three and add rows of bridging at both of the one third points.

Add nails or screws if necessary. Cut and install lumber blocking or bridging between the joists if required by local code. 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. 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.

Toenail the blocks or end nail through the joists to tie everything together. Attic hatch or door. Bridging or x bracing allows joists to share weight. Start by making sure the original bridging is tightly fastened.

Affix rigid foam insulation to the attic side of the hatch or door. Yet it is not uncommon to find bridging not properly installed or missing all together. Installing flooring material over the attic doesn t quite leave room for the recommended insulation space needed to provide efficient home energy. Put 2x8 blocks at the third points set at the midheight of the assembly and bridging the horizontal joint between top and bottom joists.

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. Most new construction uses 2 by 8 lumber for joists although 2 by 6. Use a zippered insulated tent to keep the enclosure draft free attic tent at 7 attic cover insulator 120. Purchase the type of lumber that matches the width of the existing joist.

Then measure the span of the joists the distance between walls or beams that support the joists. Attach the bridging fasten metal bridging with 1 3 8 in. Each piece of bridging requires four nails two at each end.