What to Use for Attic Flooring

Attics are a part of the house that get overlooked. If you need extra storage or have thought about adding another bedroom, game room, etc. to your house, your attic is the place to start. Because of the nature of an attic’s purpose, you must remodel the space to prevent an accident from happening.

One of the most important part of remodeling this space is to use the right type of attic flooring. From a construction standpoint, the attic is important to provide insulation and stability to your house. If you install attic floor incorrectly and/or choose the wrong material for attic flooring panels, you could end up costing yourself thousands of dollars in repair.

Today, the attic flooring pros at Attic Projects share this guide on how to choose and install attic flooring and answer FAQs.

 

Considerations for Attic Flooring Installation

If you’re planning an attic renovation in California or Washington, there are some key building codes you’ll need to follow to keep everything safe and legal. Here’s a breakdown of the important stuff, made easy to understand.

California Building Codes

California uses the California Building Standards Code (Title 24), here are the basics:

1. California Residential Code (CRC):
   1. Ceiling Height: If you want to finish your attic into a living space, the ceiling needs to be at least 7 feet high in most areas. For sloped ceilings (which is common in attics), at least half the floor area needs to meet that 7 foot height and no part of the room can be less than 5 feet tall.
   2. Emergency Exits: If you’re adding a bedroom, you need a window big enough for someone to escape through in case of an emergency. That window has to be at least 5.7 square feet of open space, 20 inches wide, 24 inches high and the bottom of the window can’t be more than 44 inches from the floor.
   3. Joist Reinforcement: Your attic floor joists need to be strong enough to handle the weight of the new space. If they’re not, you might need to reinforce them with additional joists or materials like LVLs (Laminated Veneer Lumber). California also has some extra rules for earthquake safety so depending on where you live you might need to add some extra bracing.
   4. Seismic Bracing: Since California is earthquake country, you may need to add special bracing to your attic’s structure especially if you live in a higher risk area.
2. California Energy Code:
   1. Insulating your attic is big in California. Most areas require R-30 to R-38 insulation but in colder areas you might need to go up to R-49. Insulating well will also keep your house cooler in the summer and warmer in the winter and save you money on energy costs.
3. Sustainability with CALGreen: If you’re into green building California’s CALGreen code encourages using sustainable materials. So if you go with bamboo or cork flooring not only will you be stylish but you’ll also be doing your part for the environment.
4. Fire Safety (Wildland-Urban Interface [WUI] Requirements): If you live in a wildfire prone area California has stricter rules for fire resistant materials especially for roofing and exterior finishes. It’s all about keeping your home as safe as possible.

Washington Building Codes

Washington follows the International Residential Code (IRC) but has some state specific requirements. Here’s what you need to know if you’re converting your attic in Washington:

1. Washington State Residential Code:
   1. Ceiling Height: Same as California, your attic needs to be at least 7 feet high to be considered livable. For sloped ceilings, at least half the space must be 7 feet tall and no part of the room can be less than 5 feet tall.
   2. Emergency Exit: If you’re adding a bedroom in Washington it’s the same as California, you’ll need a window big enough for someone to escape. The window needs to be at least 5.7 square feet of clear opening space.
   3. Joist Strength: For living spaces the joists need to be able to support a live load of 30 pounds per square foot (psf). If they can’t you’ll need to reinforce them, possibly by adding more joists or using materials like LVLs which are super strong.
2. Washington State Energy Code (WSEC): Washington gets cold so insulating your attic is important. Most areas require at least R-49 insulation to keep your home energy efficient and warm in the winter.
3. Local Permits and Seismic Considerations: Just like California, Washington requires permits for attic conversions and some cities (like Seattle) may have extra requirements around earthquake safety and energy efficiency.

Before you install attic flooring you need to consider the size of your attic’s joists. The joists are the wooden panels that support the attic’s ceiling and floor (and thus the roof and foundation of your house). 2×6 and 2×8 joists can’t support flooring in attics so unfortunately you can’t convert an attic without replacing or reinforcing these joists.

Next, you must measure the distance between the center of one joist to the center of the one next to it. If the distance between the two centers of neighboring joists is 16-24 inches, you can’t continue with a flooring attic project without adjusting the joists.

There are a few ways to reinforce the joists so they can support attic flooring systems:

• Bridging: All you need to do is add wood in the corner or where the floor meets the wall between joists for bridging. This adds support and prevents the joists from falling or slipping under the added weight of a new floor.
• Laminated Veneer Lumber (LVL): An attic professional may recommend putting LVLs between the existing attic joists to create a stronger support system. LVLs are panels that construction experts have designed to carry more weight than regular wood.
• Sister or I-Joists: An engineer may recommend installing sister joists (made of regular wood) between the existing joists to add strength. Or if an engineer recommends I-joists, an expert will install them either above or next to the existing attic joists.
• Plywood or Oriented Strand Board (OSB) Panels: For attics that you will use for storage only, installing plywood or OSB panels over the top of your attic’s joists should add enough strength to the joists to support the weight of stored items. This option is not strong enough to support more than light storage.

Attic Flooring Acoustics

Soundproofing might not be the first thing that comes to mind when you’re renovating your attic but it’s worth considering especially if the space will be used for something noisy like a game room or music studio. Here’s how different flooring materials stack up when it comes to noise reduction:

• Carpet: Carpet is the obvious choice if you want to absorb sound. It’s great for quieting footsteps and muffling noise and it’s pretty affordable.
• Cork Flooring: Cork is a natural sound absorber so it’s perfect if you’re looking for something eco friendly and quiet.
• Vinyl Planks with Soundproofing Layers: Some vinyl planks have a built in soundproofing layer so they’re a good option for noise reduction while still looking sleek.

So if you’re concerned about noise consider one of these materials to help create a quieter attic space.

Sustainable and Eco Friendly Flooring Options

If you’re going green with your attic remodel there are some great options out there. Here are a few that combine durability with eco friendliness:

• Bamboo Flooring: Bamboo grows quickly so it’s a renewable resource perfect for eco conscious homeowners. It’s also durable and gives your attic a natural warm look.
• Cork Flooring: Cork is another great sustainable option. It’s harvested from the bark of cork oak trees so it’s a renewable material that also helps with insulation and soundproofing.
• Recycled Materials: You can find flooring options made from recycled wood or even rubber. Not only are these materials good for the planet but they also give your attic a unique one of a kind vibe.

If sustainability is a priority, these materials will help you reduce your environmental impact while creating a beautiful new space.

Other Considerations

Beyond structural, you must also consider the floor space for the intended use of the attic (bedroom, storage etc.). You must also have enough space to install an attic staircase.

If you want to legally add liveable square footage to your house, many communities will not recognize an attic with a roof that is less than 6’8″ to 7’6″ from the floor. In this case, you can still do the project, but the government won’t add square footage to your house.

Get an engineer to check your attic before you floor it to avoid wasting money or getting yourself in trouble. Only an expert can approve your attic space for living or storage and recommend the necessary structural changes.

DIY Attic Flooring: Subfloor Prep and Vapor Barriers

So you DIYers out there, preparing the subfloor is one of the most important steps in getting your attic ready for flooring. Here’s how to do it right and avoid the common mistakes:

• Level the Subfloor: A level floor is key. If your floor isn’t level you’ll get squeaks, creaks and other problems. Use a self leveling compound to smooth out any uneven spots before laying the flooring.
• Install Vapor Barriers: Vapor barriers are your best friend when it comes to keeping moisture from seeping up from the insulation or lower floors. Moisture can warp your flooring or cause mold so don’t skip this step.

Taking the time to prep the floor right means fewer headaches later, and it helps your attic flooring last a lot longer.

How to Choose Attic Flooring Panels

First step to add flooring to the attic is to install plywood subflooring on top of the floor joists. This subflooring will protect the joists and insulation of your attic. If you will use the space for storage, plywood subflooring may be the only attic flooring you need for your project (but consult an expert first).

When choosing attic flooring panels consider what you will use the space for. If you will add extra living space to your house you must choose flooring that will look good over time and withstand climatic changes. If you will use the space for storage, adding an extra layer of paneling over the subflooring may be beneficial but not necessary.

Attic Flooring Panel Options

Here are some ideas on what to use for attic flooring:

• Carpet: The easiest and most affordable option for attic flooring is carpet. Carpet will add insulation and a small sound barrier, but its appearance will degrade over time.
• Tongue-and-Groove Softwood: Tongue-and-groove attic flooring panels interlock, easy to install. But these panels will expand and contract with temperature changes and may create gaps between the boards over time.
• Laminate: Laminate is one of the best attic flooring option because of its durability. Factories make laminate panels out of a resilient plastic that mimics the look of real wood but can withstand scratches, humidity, temperature changes etc. Laminate is the best flooring for attics.
• Engineered Hardwood: If you want to use real wood for your attic flooring, engineered hardwood requires less maintenance and refinishing than traditional lumber. Factories bond real hardwood to a plywood tongue-and-groove base which adds extra support and doesn’t expand and contract as much as 100% hardwood panels.

Experts don’t recommend using tile flooring for attics. Because attics are part of the house that is more exposed to drastic climactic changes, using flooring that can move and slightly expand/contract is necessary. Tile flooring is very rigid and will crack when installed in an attic.

Why Hire an Expert to Install Attic Flooring

Though installing attic flooring yourself may seem cheaper than hiring an expert, you could cost yourself thousands of dollars in house repairs in the long run. Here are some of the benefits:

• Accurate Weight Distribution: An attic flooring engineer can measure the joists, trusses, insulation and other aspects of your attic to determine how to best reinforce the space. They can suggest the most cost effective and long lasting plan so your remodeling project won’t go to waste.
• Attic Flooring Ideas: If you will add extra living space or increase your home’s value with an attic remodeling project, a construction expert can suggest changes that will add the most value to your home. You can also bounce ideas off them on how to make your attic space look trendy, elegant etc. within your budget.
• Preventive Measure: If you install attic floor yourself you could install the flooring panels incorrectly, underestimate the capacity for extra weight in your attic and even damage the foundation of your house. That’s a big safety hazard and might end up in a hospital visit or thousands of dollars in repairs.

Converting an Attic to Living Space

Converting your attic to living space is a great way to add more room to your home. But there are some things to consider depending on where you live.

• Ceiling Height: Most areas require at least 6’8″ to 7’6″ of headroom. If your attic’s ceiling is lower than that it may not count as livable square footage but you could still use it for storage or a cozy nook.
• Emergency Exit: If your attic is going to be a bedroom you need to make sure it has an emergency escape route, usually a window. The window needs to be big enough for someone to climb out, with specific dimensions to meet safety standards.
• Heating and Cooling: Attics get super hot in the summer and cold in the winter. You’ll likely need to extend your home’s heating and cooling system or install a separate unit to keep the space comfortable year round.

FAQs About Attic Flooring Ideas

What Type of Flooring Is Best for Attics?

We mentioned earlier that laminate flooring is the best for attics. It can dampen sounds, withstand temperature changes and humidity and looks like real wood.

The flooring panels of laminate flooring are also thinner than other materials. If you need to meet a certain height requirement so your attic will meet your local government’s requirement for added liveable square footage, laminate flooring is the way to go. Vinyl flooring is similar to laminate and is also recommended.

Can I put plywood over insulation in the attic?

Yes you can install plywood subflooring directly over the floor joists and insulation on your floor. You need to install rigid insulation boards on top of the attic flooring joists and then install plywood over the top.

Do rats burrow in attic insulation or under attic flooring?

Unfortunately, rodents like rats and mice can find their way into an attic and burrow into the insulation. If rats and other pests concern you, you should ask an expert to install pest control insulation while working on your project. This insulation has boric acid to prevent pests but is mildly toxic to humans so it’s not ideal if you plan to use the attic as living space.

Attic Projects also offers rodent control service for homeowners. If you will be doing an attic remodeling project with us, we can inspect for rodents, do rodent control and install preventive barriers so you won’t have an infestation after your remodeling project is done.

Need Attic Remodeling Services from a Skilled Professional?

If you need help installing attic flooring and finishing your attic improvement project, call the construction experts at Attic Projects. We specialize in treating, remodeling and redesigning attics and crawl spaces to make your home comfortable and structurally sound. Contact our licensed and insured attic experts today!

Updated: March 20, 2024