Loft flooring?

[tom-ky]

Going to have a loft above the mancave inside the pole barn. It is actually only going to be about 4 feet tall so basically just a place to sit items we want to store. Nothing very heavy and will not be up there a lot. What thickness plywood would you use?

 

[matt_i]

For 24" span framing, I would use 3/4" tongue and groove.

The attic in my existing shop, when I first moved in, was 1/2" ply on 24" centers. Very spongy just with me walking on it. I resolved to take one of two directions, rip it all out and upgrade to 3/4", or add another layer of 1/2" which has a lot of construction adhesive spread between the layers (to build up shear resistance on the new neutral axis) before it got screwed down. It is nice and solid now.

 

[tom-ky]

I guess I should have said it is on 16" OC. It will really be a big shelf as the height is limited.

 

[theoldwizard1]

I guess I should have said it is on 16" OC. It will really be a big shelf as the height is limited.

You can get away with 1/2" plywood if you have cross bracing every 4'. No small block chevys up there !

 

[lakeroadster]

My loft is rated for 15 lbs/sq-ft... light duty. I used 15/32 osb. Works just fine. What span does the space have? See below

 

[Lelandwelds]

The loft in my house has 1 1/8 osb glued and screwed on 24" floor trusses on 16" centers. They span 23 ft. It is almost like walking on concrete. Almost silent.

If you look at the span charts, it's a little over built.

 

[theoldwizard1]

The loft in my house has 1 1/8 osb glued and screwed on 24" floor trusses on 16" centers. They span 23 ft. It is almost like walking on concrete.

Unless the OP is under 4', he won't be doing any walking !

 

[Lelandwelds]

Unless the OP is under 4', he won't be doing any walking !

True, he will be stuffing **** up there. Every one starts out with "its only temporary", "I wont use it much", and "I will never use it for anything heavy". That lasts at best a number of months or until the next user.

I have noticed this place isnt where the low buck and half assed hang out. These guys like epoxy floors, Lista cabinets, and home shops with fume extraction!

 

[crewchief888]

True, he will be stuffing **** up there. Every one starts out with "its only temporary", "I wont use it much", and "I will never use it for anything heavy". That lasts at best a number of months or until the next user.

I have noticed this place isnt where the low buck and half assed hang out. These guys like epoxy floors, Lista cabinets, and home shops with fume extraction!

yea it's garage journal, seems like a garage isnt a place to work, but a place to hangout, drink beer and polish tools....

 

[lakeroadster]

I have noticed this place isnt where the low buck and half assed hang out. These guys like epoxy floors, Lista cabinets, and home shops with fume extraction!

Low buck... Says the guy who used 1-1/8" sheathing in his loft..

 

[The Cobbler]

in my walk able attic I used 1/2 fir unsanded . while a bit spongy it's fine for the amount of time I spend up there .

 

[Lelandwelds]

yea it's garage journal, seems like a garage isnt a place to work, but a place to hangout, drink beer and polish tools....

I have accidentally accomplished a bit of work while drinking beer. All things in moderation. ..

 

[crewchief888]

I have accidentally accomplished a bit of work while drinking beer. All things in moderation. ..

i try to confine my beer drinking to outside the garage, i hate getting grinding bits in my beer...

 

[Lelandwelds]

Low buck... Says the guy who used 1-1/8" sheathing in his loft..

Hey, I got a smokin' deal as part of the "package". It was just under $28 for Advantec. Lowes retails 3/4 commodity OSB for that.

My smartass builder built a bucket out of the stuff and kept it full of water for like six months. He didnt like my "but isnt plywood better?" questions.

 

[Lelandwelds]

i try to confine my beer drinking to outside the garage, i hate getting grinding bits in my beer...

All things in moderation. You're working too hard!

 

[Boilerhouse]

in my walk able attic I used 1/2 fir unsanded . while a bit spongy it's fine for the amount of time I spend up there .

Exactly what I did, and 'cause its a bit of a PITA to get up to, and a PITA to get down from, I store bulky items but not heavy ones.