Framing An Attic Closet

If you want your attic space to have a flat ceiling you ll need to add collar ties to the framing.

Framing an attic closet.

Cut 2 x 4s to the fit the length and width of the plywood and nail them flat on all four edges of the plywood as a base plate for the studs. Decide on the size of floor and remove insulation from between joists in that area. Cut each sole plate and top plate to the desired length. 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.

It s just a matter of framing the knee wall the short part of the wall and the slanted ceiling. If the closet has a side wall return lay out the top plate and sole plate in the same way. 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. Most attic ladders are made to fit between joists set at 24 inches on center.

Attic closet with rod suspended from the sloped ceiling closet. 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. We worked from 8am until 4 15 and got the bulk of the closet built.

Collar ties are horizontal members that like rafter ties extend from rafter to rafter but. Do not add insulation between heated spaces. Often times with sloped ceilings you need to think outside the box when it comes to a storage closet. A slanted wall closet while not ideal is better than no closet at all.

Mark the top plate and the sole plate together for stud locations using a square and a pencil.