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I have a garage with a peaked roof supported by 2x6 trusses spaced at 48". I want to insulate the attic space.

How should I proceed?

I'm planning to toenail 2x4s perpendicular to the trusses (spaced at 24"), then install a vapor barrier and sheetrock (on the underside of the trusses). Finally, I'll add insulation on top of the trusses.

I'll have a single trap door for entry into the attic.

Am I missing anything?

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If you're placing 2x4s between the trusses, it's fairly easy to face nail them (at a slight angle where necessary), rather than toenailing, which often results in splits and less penetration. Either is fine if done carefully.

You may be better off using 2x10 joists for your floor, and notching them over the trusses to flush the bottoms for the ceiling drywall, or maybe hang them between with joist hangers.

Step one is to verify that your truss system is designed to handle the additional load of storage. Do you have the original spec sheets? Be very careful about loading the truss system with more than a few hundred extra pounds on the bottom chords,and be sure to distribute the load. Even if the trusses as a whole can carry the load, the bottom chords and their attachments may not be up to the task.

Then, you'll need floor joists at no more than 24" centers, depending on the floor sheathing you intend to use. These probably will be toenailed. They'll likely run directly above your furring strips.

Finally, you'll need to work out how to insulate with framing running two directions. I envision R-19 laid parallel to the trusses, and maybe R-19 or better running perpendicular, between the floor joists.

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  • Do I need floor joists even if the attic isn't being used for storage?
    – T.D. Smith
    Commented Jan 4, 2016 at 16:07
  • I was planning to insert 2x4s between the trusses, not under them, which is why I assumed toenailing would work.
    – T.D. Smith
    Commented Jan 4, 2016 at 16:08
  • Ah, I see. In that case they won't be flat, either. I'll amend.
    – isherwood
    Commented Jan 4, 2016 at 16:20
  • I don't understand how I could face nail 2x4s if they're perpendicular to the trusses. Wouldn't that be end nailing? Also, I like the 2x10 notching idea, but would 6" notches be acceptable code wise? It's not going to be used for storage, so it's probably not an issue.
    – T.D. Smith
    Commented Jan 4, 2016 at 17:06
  • "Face nailing" refers to the initial penetration of the fastener, which in this case is the side of the truss chord.
    – isherwood
    Commented Jan 4, 2016 at 17:16

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