Hey everyone, I'm working on my garage attic in Texas and I'm thinking about laying some plywood down for extra flooring. The ceiling joists are set on 24-inch centers. I've noticed a few 1x4 and 2x4 pieces that are cut and toenail-nailed in various corners, and they don't look structural. They seem like they might be just to secure the joists. There's also an 8-foot 2x4 with a 2x6 nailed upright in an L shape, which might be from a previous owner trying to stop boxes from sliding off the existing plywood. I wish I could share pictures for clarity, but can anyone tell me if it's safe to remove those pieces? Thanks!
3 Answers
Uploading pictures to an image hosting site would really help clarify what you’re dealing with. But just a heads up: it's generally not a good idea to remove anything from your attic framing without consulting someone first. Most attics aren't built for storage, and what you're looking at could depend heavily on whether those trusses have been engineered for additional weight.
Rather than risky removals, I'd suggest laying down 4’x8’ foam boards before the plywood. This would help with insulation, plus you're not compressing anything under the boards. Just tape them down and screw them securely to the rafters with some decent screws and washers if you're cool with that!
I'd really recommend you consult a structural engineer before making any changes. It sounds like your joists might not be rated for the extra weight if they're spaced 24" apart. Removing those extra framing members could potentially compromise the integrity of your attic, as they’re probably there to keep things stable, not just there for show. I wouldn't touch them.
Thanks, I appreciate the advice! I'll definitely get a professional to check it out.