Thank you to everyone for replying. I appreciate the input.
Good CDX plywood is about 10%+ stiffer than OSB. Over time, plywood is less likely to sag vs OSB.
Additionally, plywood is a little lighter than OSB.
Because your span between joists is 24", no way I'd use OSB. For plywood, I'd use 5/8" at a min...1/2" is too thin. You can't get OSB in 5/8"
Good info ddawg16. Thank you.
I'm curious as to why so many are suggesting glue it down? I know it might be a little quieter as you walk on it but how often does that happen? It adds time, cost and no appreciable strength to the structure vs. just nails or screws.
I would screw only, if you have any vent stacks plumbing or wiring below you might need to get to some day, it would be much easier to back out a few screws and lift the sheet vs. having to destroy it to get it up or hack apart the drywall ceiling below.
I suspect gluing it down would make it a little stronger, but I was thinking that would be excessive for my application. And the ability to remove the deck later if needed seems to be of value to me.
for the latest and light, super strong they have these, but not "cheap" per your requirement. there are a few manufactures that also sell them.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07GX5CCHR/?tag=atomicindus08-20
I was searching the Home Despot website for info on the Advantech product, and saw those. Cool idea, but too pricey for me to do too much with. I might consider a few to use outside of the defined area for storage on the truss, and ONLY put feather weight items out there.
My trusses are 2x10 bottom and top chord on 19.2" centers.
Based on a recommendation from the truss mfg, I layed down 2x4's perpendicular to the trusses on 16" centers. On top of these, I did 3/4" T&G OSB. Everything installed using contruction adhesive and screws. Been installed for over 10 years and the floor is almost as solid as my concrete. Worked out great.
Truss manufacturer...there's an idea.
I have trusses 24" OC in my attic and the cheap *** builder put down 7/16" OSB which is like walking across a trampoline until it breaks. I replaced the pictured piece with 23/32" (actually .707") OSB for a non-lethal floor. As an added bonus there was zero insulation under this, the house was built in 2004 and an inspector actually signed off on this!
Hmm...I dress out at about 240 there days, plus the weight of the parts I'll be carrying. I'm not building a dance floor up there...it's not a loft. It's just an attic space maybe 4'+ high, that I can waddle through hunched over. But properly decked it will be great storage. But I don't want it to sag or flex excessively. My definition of excessively would be that board.
7/16 OSB T&G. It's in the attic, no one is gonna see it but you.
That's true. It's not a walk-able floor...a "little" bounce, some squeaks, a few knots...I couldn't care less. So I'm with you up to there.
Insulate first. Run additional electrical, TV cable, cat 5. 3/4 inch plywood cut to fit the trusses, screwed down.
This area will still be open from below. So I will certainly do all of those things before I drywall (or other alternate ceiling covering, but that's for my "What's the latest thing in CEILING covering?" thread.
Is this already built? If it is, are you are to slide a full 4x8 sheet up between the trusses ?
Sadly yes, for well over a decade now. And yes, the garage is about 2/3 scissor trusses, 1/3 storage trusses. So there's an opening at the end of the storage trusses that I can load the sheets through.
Thanks again for the input everyone. Lots of good info here. Now, less important than
which one I do is that
I just do one and move on without obsessing about it.
