I have seen it mentioned on previous attic decking threads that some people use one by sixes. Did those that went this route leave spaces between the planks? If so, how much space? I am also assuming that the wood does not need to be treated.

Number one reason to use the diagonal 1x6 decking is because those will "snake" into spaces in attics that 4x8 or 2x8 or 2x4 sheets of Plywood will not.

Leaving a space gets you more "coverage" per board nailed down. Generally you want no more than 1/2 to 3/4" spaces between the boards. A spacer of that specific width makes your life fastening the boards down much nicer.

Personally, I like a self-drilling deck screw 2x long as the thickness of the planking. Using diagonal planking is good for not hiding the ceiling structure at all--which may be handy 10 or 15 or 25 years' from now if wiring needs to be snaked through the ceiling or the like.

The downside to any attic decking is that, if the ceiling is being used as the insulation plane, you are limiting the insulation depth to whatever the joist depth is. So, no cross-wise batts or another 8 to 16 of blown-in.

Doesn't have to be treated unless your attic gets rainfall....


Seriously, decking is probably cheaper. Depends did get on what you are storing, you don't want gaps more than an inch or so.

I laid 2x4s down to raise the decking over all the wires and stuff. Then used 5/8 plywood. 2x4 spacing was about 6 inches.

[This message has been edited by Absolute (edited 3/23/2013 9:27p).]

Thanks for the replies. I will be decking a square space with no insulation below it so I will probably use the method that is cheapest.