Can I put boards over attic insulation?

An attic can be floored with 1/2″ CDX plywood, if it is being used only for storage. However, the same can't be said if you are planning on using the space as a living space. In that case, you will need to use 3/4″ thick plywood. As an alternative, 3/4” OSB can be used.

Can you put wood over attic insulation?

Once the insulation is down, you can turn your attic into valuable storage space by covering the floor with plywood. It will also make the attic a safer place in which to walk.

Can you lay loft boards on top of insulation?

Placing loft boarding over insulation is an easy process and is essential if you want both storage and for your quilt insulation to work at its optimum performance. With the correct products, such as Loft Legs, this is easy and cost effective too.

Can I put wood over insulation?

Yes, you can install over an existing wood floor, provided it meets some important conditions. First, make sure doing so won't create problems with height differences at areas such as transitions with other rooms and stairs.

What can I cover my attic insulation with?

The good solution for this is a house wrap material (often referred to by the popular commercial brand Tyvek) which allows vapor to pass through while blocking water itself on the outside of the home. You can also put up a thin board, plywood, or even drywall, if the goal is simply to prevent accidental contact.

DIY Loft/Attic Insulation with over-boarding for Storage [Superhome59 Video part 10]

Should you cover the insulation in the attic?

If the attic itself is insulated, the other side of the knee walls — the space in between the living space and the exterior wall — is usually not. If the wall has fiberglass or cellulose insulation on the nonliving side of the wall, the insulation should be covered by an air barrier such as drywall.

What can I put over insulation?

After the insulation is in place you will want to add a vapor retarder, sometimes called a vapor barrier, if you need one. Not every wall does. A vapor retarder is a material used to prevent water vapor from diffusing into the wall, ceiling or floor during the cold winter.

Can you put plywood over subfloor?

Install a layer of at least ½” or preferably 5/8” ply over the existing planks. This is particularly important if your old sub floor has lumps and bumps in it. If you don't respect this thickness of ply, then you're highly likely to see rises and falls in your new flooring.

Can you cover drywall with wood?

If you're looking to reboot the atmosphere in a living room or bedroom by covering the existing drywall with tongue-and-groove boards, the good news is that there are no codes prohibiting it. In fact, the fire-resistance of drywall balances the propensity of wood to burn and makes the room safer than wood alone.

Can I fix loft boards directly onto joists?

Can I Board directly onto joists? The simple answer is no. The most common joist heights in use in modern properties are between 75mm and 100mm.

Can I use loft insulation under floorboards?

Solid insulation board (as in the picture below) or rolls of mineral fibre (like that used to insulate lofts) can be fitted between the flooring joists. If your floor is above an unheated cellar or basement you will need to fit the insulation snugly between the joists and secure in place with netting if required.

Should I remove old loft insulation?

In most circumstances removing your old insulation isn't necessary and it can actually be quite beneficial to leave it. This is as most insulation will retain its thermal properties so leaving it in place will mean that you continue to benefit from it whilst also having an additional layer of insulation on top!

Can my attic support a floor?

That begs the question; can my attic support a floor? The answer, in most cases, is a definite yes. Even though it wasn't put there, the joists supporting your ceiling are quite strong. Putting down flooring won't stress them any more than the floors in your bedroom, kitchen, or bath.

Can you floor over insulation?

You can still insulate your solid floor even if it doesn't need replacing. Rigid insulation can be laid on top of the original floor, then chipboard flooring can be placed over it. This will raise the level of the floor, so you will need to make sure doors are trimmed shorter to make room for the insulation.

How can I cover insulation without drywall?

Can you put tongue-and-groove over drywall ceiling?

Installing tongue-and-groove (aka T&G) boards is a fast, inexpensive way to panel any ceiling or wall. You can install T&G over bare framing, drywall or plaster, so it's a great cover-up for an ugly ceiling.

Is it better to use OSB or plywood for subfloor?

OSB has a lower resale value than plywood due to its lower strength. For this reason, few homeowners prefer OSB in their homes. Apart from costs, plywood is superior in all the other areas, such as the strength of the structure. For this reason, it's a superior material for use on the subfloor.

Do you nail or screw subfloor?

Ideally, nail down your subfloor using corrosion-resistant nails that will securely hold it in place and last a long time. Screws are a great alternative that you can easily remove, but they are not as sturdy. Screws are superior in terms of reducing floor squeaks, but the installation is slower.

What do you put on top of a subfloor?

Plywood underlayment is typically needed when a floor material must have a very smooth, flat surface. For example, if you install resilient tiles or sheet flooring over a subfloor, any bumps, dips, or voids in the subfloor may be evident in the finished flooring.

Can you leave insulation exposed?

"Fiberglass insulation should never be left exposed in an occupied area, according to the American Lung Association," says ALA's Godfrey. "Exposed fiberglass insulation, once in the air, does cause respiratory reactions, such as dry, scratchy throat and coughing, as well as acting as a skin and eye irritant.

Can you put foam board over fiberglass insulation?

If you can use the foam board and fiberglass - without compressing the fiberglass batts, then I say go for it. However, if you end up compressing the fiberglass then you will greatly lose the rated R-Value with an improper installation and almost certainly negate any possible benefits from the foam board.

Should I cover my insulation with plastic?

Without a vapor barrier in place, condensation inside the walls could ruin the insulation and promote the growth of harmful mold and bacteria. Plastic, specifically 6-mil polyethylene plastic, is the most commonly used vapor barrier.

Should insulation be covered?

Insulation should never be left exposed in a basement. Whether your home has spray foam, foam board, or fiberglass roll (or batten) insulation, each type should always be covered because each poses hazards such as: Fire risk. Irritated skin issues (due to chemical irritants in the materials)