2x12 Floor Joists For Attic Room Above Garage

Joist dimensions are only part of the equation.

2x12 floor joists for attic room above garage.

An inaccessible attic space on the other hand might have a live load of only 20 psf. The wooden joists or beams over your garage help hold your roof in place. The rest of the space is situated over the laundry room to tap into existing pipe chases. Standard joist spacing for the installation of attic flooring materials is 16 inches on center oc meaning the distance from the center of one joist to the center of the next joist is 16 inches.

You also need to ensure that the joist spacing is adequate. If you need a storage area above your garage strong ceiling joists are necessary to support the added weight. Don t forget the impact on adjacent spaces. But you can still double the capacity of the existing 2x6s in the attic floor so first let s make sure that s enough for your situation.

My calculations tell me assuming 2 southern yellow pine joists which are common in my area that 2x6s 16 inches on center will span 9 feet 9 inches with allowable deflection being the governing factor. At geoff and michelle s house supply lines for the second floor bath were tucked above the addition s floor joists and only the room s tub sits over the garage. First floor live loads have higher requirements than second floor live loads 40 pounds per square foot vs. A room used solely for sleeping might need to carry only 30 psf whereas a garage floor over a basement would need 50 psf or higher.