I got a few questions in regards how much stuff i can put in it.
Attic storage weight limits.
In the example the joists have a spacing of 16 inches and a span of 11 feet 2 inches.
The span table for a 30 psf live load 10psf dead load floor indicates a required fb value of 1 315 and a minimum e value of 1 800 000.
Garage attic storage space weight limits.
An uninhabitable attic designed for limited storage can handle 20 pounds per square foot live load.
The past few days i have been organizing the terrible mess on my two car garage.
Its a one floor family style house got plenty of space on the attic with an access ladder to it.
Another garage attic storage flooring option is to lay down 2x6 planks and screw them to the tops of the joists.
If your attic joists won t bear the weight necessary to finish out a living space but the engineer cleared them to support floor decking for light storage you can install inch plywood or.
Make sure items are spaced so that the weight is evenly distributed over the chords.
I m guessing you don t have the plans and don t know what live load the attic was designed for.
This goes for manufactured roof trusses the kind assembled with metal gussets if you have traditional site built roof framing your storage capacity depends on the design of the framing.
This is probably easier than wrestling with plywood but when it s finished it ll weigh even more than plywood.
Just like plywood if you re worried about your attic weight limits then don t use 2x6 planks.
If you want to use your attic on a regular basis or to store large items you may need to enlarge the access opening and install an access ladder or drop down stairs.
Design live loads will vary based on a number of factors but at a minimum 10 psf live load for attics without storage 20 psf live load with limited storage and 30 psf for habitable attics served with fixed stairs international residential code 2009 older or local codes may be different.
If the attic has the potential to become a regular living space talk with a contractor about adding a fixed stairway.
An uninhabitable attic not designed for storage can handle a 10 pounds per square foot live load.