Attic mini conversion advice

[phirenuk3r]

SO I have a council flat built in the 60's and I wanted to put some floor boards down up there so I could use it to build my train set, so wont be much weight other then me walking around.

So my question is simple really, do I need to do anything to the joices to make them stronger, or can I simply lay some floorboards across them and all will be fine??

Thanx in advance.

 

[zinfamous]

SO I have a council flat built in the 60's and I wanted to put some floor boards down up there so I could use it to build my train set, so wont be much weight other then me walking around.

So my question is simple really, do I need to do anything to the joices to make them stronger, or can I simply lay some floorboards across them and all will be fine??

Thanx in advance.

No, you essentially just lay down subfloor--typically particle board--and nail it down to the joists. I forget the standard distance, but one sheet of particle/subfloor should be able to safely span 3 joists (2 gaps) once you secure them. If you want to stop there, suit yourself, but you could then lay down a fancier actual floor, like hardwood or tile or cheap linoleum. If you don't have good insulation up there, then be sure to take the time to fill it in before you put down new subfloor...and maybe create some access to run various cables or wiring if you foresee a future need to do something like that (if you don't already have that set up)

 

[phirenuk3r]

Thank you for your reply, I was looking everywhere and could only see about full conversion and adding supports and steel beams and I like, but I only wanna but my train setup and walk around ffs lol.

 

[zinfamous]

Thank you for your reply, I was looking everywhere and could only see about full conversion and adding supports and steel beams and I like, but I only wanna but my train setup and walk around ffs lol.

I suppose it could depend on the type of joists that are used in the attic. It is possible that if the attic was never designed to be a habited space, you might be looking at 2x6 joists (which, I think, are adequate for a ceiling--I could be wrong.) For a permanent floor that is expected to carry human weight on a regular basis, I think you need, at least, 2x12? I am not sure of these dimensions so don't quote me on that, but different-sized joists are rated for different uses.

 

[NutBucket]

Well, the size of the lumber depends on the span. Most older (40's and 50's) homes I've been in tend to have 2x4 ceiling joists, for example. It's plenty strong to walk on but a subfloor is pretty heavy on it's own.

 

[Billb2]

Ha! I've seen 2 x 4 ceiling joists.

OP: It all depends on what size the existing joists are, how far apart they are, and what distance they span.

As for "it's just me and the trains up there." no building inspector is going to buy that!
And do it wrong and you'll be fixing it before you can sell or giving a discount to the sale price.

 

[zinfamous]

Well, the size of the lumber depends on the span. Most older (40's and 50's) homes I've been in tend to have 2x4 ceiling joists, for example. It's plenty strong to walk on but a subfloor is pretty heavy on it's own.

see, this is why I'm not a carpenter.

 

[Billb2]

This is why people hire an architect, engineer and contractor, and get a building permit.........

And what about electricity for the lights and trains? Heat /AC?

...and you thought this was a simple trip to Home Depot and a weekend.

 

[paperfist]

Partial board? You'd want plywood.

 

[boomerang]

Well, the size of the lumber depends on the span. Most older (40's and 50's) homes I've been in tend to have 2x4 ceiling joists, for example. It's plenty strong to walk on but a subfloor is pretty heavy on it's own.

I'm late to this party but I would add to this and say that nailing any board onto the top surface of ceiling joists that would now be considered undersized that have an existing finished ceiling on the bottom side of them could end up being a big mistake. It would be one of those glad that job is finished kind of things that really goes south when you get downstairs and look up to all the cracks in the ceiling.