Reinforce or just replace loft floor?

[stagen]

Recently bought a house with a garage I actually have room to keep my stuff finally. Its has good space, 24x36, but it needs a bit of work. Before I do anything with it, the storage loft needs attention.

The back of the garage is a workshop of sorts thats 24x14. Only problem is they made the ceiling/ loft floor out of 2x6 @16" oc spanning the 14 ft. and 7/16 OSB sheathing laid on top (not nailed/screwed down at all) Im barely comfortable walking up there let alone storing anything.

I plan to replace the current OSB with 3/4" tongue and groove OSB. My question now, is there any way to reinforce whats curently there without ripping everything up and starting over?

Replacing the joists completely I'd be looking at 2x10 douglas fir for the joists. But at around $20 a board, it starts pushing my budget. If anyone has an idea on how to reinforce whats currently there, save for the replacement 3/4" flooring, Im all ears.

Would using the 3/4" T&G on top, then taking the current 7/16 osb and securing it to the BOTTOM of the joists make any improvement?

 

[matt_i]

I did this in similar fashion in my shop. Existing attic floor was 1/2" ply on 24" centers. I was either going to tear it all out and go back with 3/4" as one alternative, but what I ended up doing was buying a case of the large 28oz tubes of construction adhesive, and additional 1/2" plywood to cover the area again. The layers have adhesive between them and then are nailed around the edges.

Im pleased with the choice, it ended up very solid and have rolled heavy items across it like a 60gal air compressor on an appliance dolly, without noticeable deflection.

As far as improving the structure, I see a bunch of joist ends presumably hanging out in space (?) if you could beef up the end of of the upper floor, possibly some columns where they don't interfere, to cut the span down, you'd have a much more rigid floor system.

 

[rieferman]

It me might be faster and easier to dismantle and build again properly. You'll end up with a bunch of useful 2x6's and sheets of thinner osb which will surely be used during your other planned renovation efforts.

 

[rsanter]

Seems like I would either sister another 2x6 next to every other one for some added strength or just add a 2x6 in the middle between every other one.

You can reuse the OSB and just add a second layer if you wanted.

Of course, how much weight are you planning to put up there is the next question

Also if you are short budget, how about reinforcing half of it, get some of you stuff up there and then do the other half in a few months

Bob

 

[cowboy73]

I'd consider running a beam down the middle of the room with 1 post in the middle. Double up the 2X6 joist ever other one. Then glue and screw the decking back down. Then glue and screw a second layer of 7/16" OSB on there. That would make it plenty strong.

 

[James-W]

What is holding up the side of the floor where the ends of the 2X6's are showing? From the picture it doesn't look like anything is holding it up. As far as I can tell from that one photo, the floor is not built very well at all. I would say the floor needs to be torn down completely and rebuilt. Or, possibly you could make some major changes to the floor in order to make it safe and solid enough to hold heavy objects. But sometimes it is easier and quicker to just start over and do it right than it is to try and put a band-aid on it. That's my opinion anyway.

 

[dkroth]

Since I'm spending your money I'd tear it down and start over.

Do it right now and it will pay dividends for a long time. Half-*** it and it will nip away at your forever.

 

[rieferman]

Since I'm spending your money I'd tear it down and start over.

Do it right now and it will pay dividends for a long time. Half-*** it and it will nip away at your forever.

Agree. But I would argue that this approach isn't a money burner since he can save and reuse the existing materials for other renovation efforts within the space.

 

[stagen]

After looking at it closer Im more inclined to just rebuild it completely. The part overhanging the inside wall appears to just be placed on top with blocked just shoved between each joist. Again, nothing fastened.

I'd like to keep the area under the loft open, theres enough room in there to pull the Miata in and work on it this winter. It'll be easier to heat that small area, so a support post wont work.

What would be the best way to secure the joists to the the top of the inside wall? Rim joist or hurricane ties?

So the new plan is 2x10 douglas fir joists 16" OC, 3/4" t&g osb subflooring glued and screwed.

As far as the weight of things I'd store, I dont want to be too restrected. I'd like to get spare engine parts up there, maybe a block or two, wheels, etc.

 

[jwhcars]

Build it like you would build a deck. Bolt a 2x10 on the back outside wall then run a beam with the support posts at the outside side walls and between the doors. You can use hangers and should be a easy job.

 

[kbs2244]

If the current floor isn't fastened down it will be very easy to remove.
I think your current joists will be fine, but if you want add to them once the floor is off it will be easy to do.
Just put your 2x10's next to the current 2x6's and nail them together.
Then you T&G will be fine.
Just remember to lay out the sheets "brick wall style" so you do not have any "four corner" joints.

 

[stagen]

What are your thoughts on supporting the ledger board? I see a lot of people against lag screws. I'll have plenty of 2x6s, I could sister them to the wall studs and use them as a cripple stud to support the ledger.

 

[kbs2244]

That is a good idea.
If you have them use them.