Framing An Attic Closet

A slanted wall closet while not ideal is better than no closet at all.

Framing an attic closet.

If the closet has a side wall return lay out the top plate and sole plate in the same way. Low shelving is installed behind the hanging areas to maximize all possible storage space. Framing the opening can be easy if you can locate the ladder so that it is parallel with the existing ceiling joists. Often times with sloped ceilings you need to think outside the box when it comes to a storage closet.

Depending on the span you ll need at least a 2 by 8 joist under foot for flooring. If you want your attic space to have a flat ceiling you ll need to add collar ties to the framing. Mark the top plate and the sole plate together for stud locations using a square and a pencil. We worked from 8am until 4 15 and got the bulk of the closet built.

In closets where the ceiling slopes very close to the floor or the knee wall is very short low shelving can often be installed along the walls behind the hanging areas. Do not add insulation between heated spaces. It s just a matter of framing the knee wall the short part of the wall and the slanted ceiling. Make sure the joists in the attic are suitable to carry weight.

Decide on the size of floor and remove insulation from between joists in that area. Attic closet with rod suspended from the sloped ceiling closet. Framing nail a sheet of plywood to the existing floor joists so the short sides align with the joists and the long side is perpendicular to the joists. Most attic ladders are made to fit between joists set at 24 inches on center.

Collar ties are horizontal members that like rafter ties extend from rafter to rafter but.