DIY Network

Study Loft, Part 1 – Simple Loft Frame High ceilings? Put that space to use. From "Wasted Spaces" episode DWSP-301

Every teenager wants some space to themselves – but for high school freshman Jeremy McCarter, it's a matter of health. Jeremy suffers from Fabry's Disease, a painful disorder that's made worse by stress. So, Wasted Spaces teamed up with Dream Connection to transform a cluttered, 24' x2 4' garage into a quiet – and cool – sanctuary for him.

This swanky study loft is built in two parts: a simple rectangular loft frame, plus an angled frame Karl used to create the curved part of the loft. Karl finishes off the construction with a handy set of access stairs and adds some urban design touches that make this former garage a true hipster hideaway.

This dark, cluttered garage...

becomes a great place to study and hang out.

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Simple Loft Frame

Tools: safety glasses work gloves tape measure level pencils hammer nail gun screw gun circular saw hand saw metal joist hangers chisel

Materials: nails screws OSB sheets 2" x 10" lumber 2" x 8" lumber 4" x 4" posts

The frame sits 3-1/2 feet up from the floor – this will allow for plenty of storage underneath, plus ample room between the top of the loft and the 12-foot-high ceiling. For this project, the loft was supported on three sides by pre-existing walls. Karl and the crew also built a second, smaller frame to act as a landing for an upper-level door.

Note: The key to success with this loft is keeping everything on the level. Always check level before securing any of the boards or posts for the loft frame.

	Figure A
	Figure B
	Figure C
	Figure D
	Figure E

• Measure and cut frame lumber. Determine the desired dimensions for the rectangular frame and cut pieces of 2" x 10" lumber to the correct lengths for the four sides. The rectangular frame in this project measured 11-1/2 feet x 4-1/2 feet.

  Safety Alert: Always wear safety glasses and use caution when working with a circular saw or any power tool.

• Build the rectangular frame. Measure and mark a level line 3-1/2 feet up from the floor along the back wall. Line up one of the 2x10s on this line and screw into the wall studs. Use the same process to line up and attach the side pieces to the support walls, remembering to drive screws into the studs. With three sides secured, nail the fourth 2x10 into the ends of the two side pieces (figure A).

• Install floor joists. Measure and cut eight 2x8s to fit snugly inside the rectangular frame (54-1/8" for this project). Space the joists evenly and install them using metal joist hangers at the wall sides (figure B) and nailing through the frame into the end of the joist on the other side (figure C). If building a larger frame than used in this project, install more joists to make sure the floor has enough support.

• Make support posts. Even with walls partially supporting the sides, the loft frame needs support. Measure and cut two 4" x 4" posts to the total height of the loft wall (from the floor to the top of the knee wall). Position one post inside the corner of the frame, make sure the frame is level, then mark the top and bottom of the frame on the post. Cut a notch in the post the same width and depth as the frame lumber so the post will fit flush against the frame.

  Note: To notch the posts, use a hand saw or circular to make several cuts in the notch space, then remove the material with a chisel.

• Install support posts. Position the posts on the inside of the frame and fit the notches over the frame (figure D). For this project, Karl positioned one post at the corner, but installed the other three feet in from the corner to leave room for the stairs. Check for level and plumb, then install by driving screws through the frame into the post. These posts sit inside the frame and will not be visible in the completed loft.

• Measure and cut sheets of oriented strandboard (OSB) to serve as the loft flooring. Install by nailing through the top of the OSB down into the joists and frame (figure E).

  Safety Alert: Wear safety glasses and use extreme caution when working with a nail gun. These powerful tools can drive a nail through wood – or a hand or foot – instantly.

  With the basic loft framed in and floored, it’s time to add some style with a curved front and a set of simple stairs.

RESOURCES :
Dream Connection
Website: www.dreamconnection.org