The Golden State: Where & How to Live, Secure, Visit, Enjoy and Thrive in California

The Practical Built In Funiture

Otherwise you can use 1/2 -inch plywood sheets or one of the t & g building boards that come in widths of 10 inches to 18 inches or so. In an old-time attic, with considerable space between rafters, you may have to install heavy furring strips longitudinally and nail the ceiling boards to them at right angles. The wallboard is applied last.

If the tie beams are low, you may be able to raise them, but see a builder about this. When you need extra air space, you can ignore the tie beams (see Fig. 12) and board over the rafters as far as the roof peak. In all cases where the attic is to be occupied, you should insulate between the rafters before doing any construction work. If your house has wooden shingles, be sure to leave space for air circulation. In modern houses, you can use batts or roll insulation; in old- time houses, where the rafter spaces vary, you can install plywood or Celotex over the rafters with reflective insulation between.

Bedroom with Cabinets and Semi-Slideaway Beds

In the illustration (Fig. 112) another attic bedroom is shown, using plywood for the ceilin . Here you have a pair of twin beds that slide their heads three feet under a board forming the top of two sets of drawers and shelves. This top also offers space for reading lamps and books.

A cupboard is built under the eaves by the window. Below the window is a row of small cupboards. The plywood is used in 4x4-foot squares, nailed to alternate rafters or to furring strips. The beds are easy to make from 10- or 12-inch side boards, and plywood head and foot boards. Short legs of 3x3 stiffen the corner joints and terminate in line with the 11/2xl 1/2-inch strips that carry the mattress slats, as you see in the detail sketch, Fig. 113. The window seat and cupboard are best built on a 2x3 frame, both for simplicity and strength.