Build An Attic Knee Wall

Instructions the knee wall will be built on the floor of the attic and then tipped into place against the rafters.

Build an attic knee wall.

Step 1 measure the attic to build your walls to the correct length measure the angle of the rafter by laying a piece of 2x4 inch lumber against the side of the rafter in a vertical position. You can convert hidden unused spaces into valuable storage areas. Step 1 use a stud finder to locate the studs in the knee wall where you intend to install your storage doors. Determine the location and line of.

Install a continuous air barrier on the exterior side of the attic knee wall framing with a rigid air barrier or other supporting material to prevent the knee wall cavity insulation from sagging and to create a continuous thermal barrier. Use a miter. Knee walls are short usually wooden walls installed around the sides of an attic where the rafters meet the floor. Use your saw to cut along this line.

In most instances they are no taller than 3 feet but some builders may custom fit them according to the roof s shape and size. Snap a chalk line. This project is something that most homeowners could complete in just a few hours. Cover rafters with an air barrier.

You ll gain a full size eight drawer chest without sacrificing a single square inch of floor space. Caulk all other holes or cracks or stuff with fiberglass batt insulation or spray foam. Use a template to determine the angle on each of those six pieces of 2x4. Framing basics for attic knee walls along the sides of your loft or attic space.

One of your 2x4s. You can see the image below for an example of a knee wall. Mark the line that the angle forms along your 2x4. Determine the length of the knee wall from end to end and double this to determine the lineal footage of the.

Department of energy recommends that you complete several steps. How to construct knee walls in attics 1. Knee walls are the short interior walls built beneath the roof rafters. Cut six lengths of 2x4 each 2 1 2 feet long.

Access the attic using a stepladder at the attic access panel or the attic stairs. Draw a line across that angle. Rigid air barrier material could include rigid foam insulation drywall plywood or osb among others. To make better use of this empty space build knee wall storage doors for easy access to the space behind the wall.