Finishing Attic Space With Trusses

Often a rectangular size space is created inside the overall large triangle of the truss.

Finishing attic space with trusses.

The trusses are double cantilever style. Trusses are like big structural triangles that have angled top pieces that serve as rafters horizontal pieces that serve as floor joists and interconnecting web pieces that give the triangle strength. Here are some must do tips to follow when finishing your attic. Use a chalk line to draw a line along the floor parallel to the lower edge of the roof from one end of the attic to the other on both sides.

I have this above my own garage. Install the rolled insulation in the floor by cutting to size pressing into the space between joists and attaching with wire fasteners. Attic trusses have a rectangular shape inside each truss. Press them in place and staple through the paper to the studs.

If you ve measured your attic space and feel you have enough room to accommodate living space chances are you have rafters or you have special trusses called attic trusses which create a large open space under the peak of the roof. Measure the width of your roof trusses from inside to inside. The attic space is 22 on the side parallel to the trusses 28 on the other side. If you have this type of roof framing you cannot finish your attic without rebuilding the roof.

This framing style typically provides the most open space in an attic. The sad fact is your builder could have installed attic trusses over this garage for just slightly more than what the existing trusses cost. Newer truss framed roofs are made with prefabricated trusses. These trusses are often called light storage trusses.

The lyons used a web of 16 inch deep engineered trusses to accommodate wiring plumbing and ductwork then topped the plywood subfloor with oak or tile. The height of the interior box within the storage truss is usually never over 5 feet high. It s a 12 12 roof so that s a good 11 at the ridge which even with new floor joists and a 5 knee wall should be plenty of room for a nice space. By contrast conventional trusses have supports called webbing that zigzag through the attic space.

Measure in from the lower edge of the roof to a point 1 4 the width of the truss on either side of the attic. Look at this photo of the space created by attic trusses at my home. Ironically though it s the rafters that provide a better environment for an attic conversion because of the clear space. If the roof slope is steeper than 9 inches in 12 inches of run it doesn t take much width to end up with a nice room 12 feet wide with an 8 foot ceiling.

If you just desire storage space in an trussed attic that is also possible. Finishing your attic can add space and utility and increase the value of your home as long as it s done properly. When done without proper planning or adherence to local building codes it can actually reduce the value of your home or stall a sale. If you have trusses it will be next to impossible to reconfigure them to allow for clear space.

Install new rolled insulation between the wall studs.