Using Lvl In Attic Joists

If your joists are 2x6s or 2x8s they are not adequate for supporting attic flooring in a new living area and the furnishings and humans who will use them.

Using lvl in attic joists.

I want to install an lvl beam in my attic to support my ceiling rafters. It is important to jack this end level to keep the floor from sagging any more and to keep the joists from splintering later. In attics built purely for storage purposes you may find 2x6 ceiling joists or in some cases even 2x4 joists. While this is not the optimal setup it is acceptable to have ceiling joists covered with plywood or osb to use for light attic storage of dead loads.

Usually when a joist gets sistered the new lumber does not span the entire length of the old joist. Finishing an attic is a cost effective way to gain more living space. We opted to use a 1 thick by 11 7 8 tall member of an lvl beam and secured four of them together using engineered screws. Because of this the tail end of the new lumber is not supported.

One end would be supported on my gable end and the other side would be on a supporting wall. If using an lvl this may have value as you can glue the double tall 2x6 in a continuous manner to the lvl. However you could cut the correct thickness plywood and fill in the side of the i joist next to the 2x6. I suppose you could shim the side of the 2x6 if you wanted so the fit was tight.

I am removing a wall that separates my kitchen and living room. If the joists are larger they might. Our versa lam lvl is manufactured in either alexandria lena louisiana in eastern united states or in white city oregon for the western united states. Engineered wood products ewp lvl span and size charts.

If using an i joist you do not naturally have this option. Not all space reconfigurations require structural beams but in this case a structural support made with lvl beams was the most efficient choice. Make sure the fill s depth is uniform across the attic. To get the target r value from the product you chose use the number of bags your calculations showed that you needed to insulate your attic never fewer.

Versa lam laminated veneer lumber lvl beams and headers eliminate twisting shrinking and splitting and deliver flatter quieter floors and structures. If the floor joists are uneven and it s likely that they will be since even. To make it easy to eyeball how level the material is as you blow it in screw depth guides to joists throughout the space.