How do I make my attic usable for storage?
If you determine that your attic floor structure can’t hold what you’d like to store, it’s possible to beef up the floor framing by adding more or larger joists. You can then cover the joists with plywood or an OSB subfloor to create a nice, continuous floor surface.
What should you not store in an attic?
7 Things You Should Never Store in Your Basement or Attic
- Delicate fabrics.
- Furniture and décor made from natural materials.
- Important papers.
- Food (unless you store it carefully)
- Electronics.
- Candles.
- Anything flammable (near heat sources)
Is it OK to store stuff in attic?
Storing items in your attic is far more preferable than storing them in the basement or garage where they may get wet from flooding and are exposed to the elements. Use the attic to store anything that is impervious to heat. Heat can damage items such as photographs and wood.
Can I floor my attic for storage?
The answer, in most cases, is a definite yes. Even though it wasn’t put there, the joists supporting your ceiling are quite strong. Putting down flooring won’t stress them any more than the floors in your bedroom, kitchen, or bath. We would, however, suggest you get help bringing the flooring up into the attic.
How much weight can you store in attic?
On average, an attic that has not been designed specifically for storage or already converted into a habitable room can hold 10lbs per square foot. The maximum weight load of an attic can be increased by taking certain measures, such as layering wood across the joists to spread the weight.
Is it safe to put cardboard boxes in the attic?
Cardboard Boxes Those cardboard boxes stacked up in your attic could become a veritable buffet for mice and bugs if you’re not careful. “Pests are attracted to the cardboard and to the glue used in construction of the box,” says Santoro. “Boxes also break down and disintegrate, which will attract pests even more.”
Is the attic too hot for storage?
If you’re storing electronics in your attic, you might be unpleasantly surprised to find them less-than-functional in the future. According to agricultural engineer B.R. Stewart, attics without air conditioning can reach up to 160 degrees Fahrenheit on a hot day. And that’s way too hot for your electronics to survive.
Can you cover attic insulation with plywood?
Once the insulation is down, you can turn your attic into valuable storage space by covering the floor with plywood. It will also make the attic a safer place in which to walk.
How much weight can an attic hold?
On average, an attic that has not been designed specifically for storage or already converted into a habitable room can hold 10lbs per square foot.
How do I know if my attic can hold weight?
The thicker the rafters, the more secure they are. There’s no way to tell from here if the attic floor or even the rafters will support you. Even if it has held you before, damage to the attic floor, including water damage, can undermine its stability.
Can my attic support my weight?
How to create attic storage?
In Chicago we experience temperatures from -20F to 95F so
How to assess your attic storage potential?
Moistureemperature Levels in the Attic. Determining whether your attic can support the weight of the items you intend to store is one major consideration when deciding whether you
How to build a raised storage area in your attic?
Photographs
What to store in the attic?
IRIS USA Ziploc WeatherShield Storage Box