How to Build a Walkway in the Attic

Climb up into the attic space and map out the route your walkway will take. If the walkway will only extend part of the way across the attic, measure the distance with a tape measure. Then measure the width between the two ceiling joists that run underneath it. If the ceiling joists run perpendicular to the walkway, the width does not matter since there are enough of them to support the walkway.

Go outside and measure a 2-inch by 4-inch board to the necessary length and trim it using a circular saw if needed. If the walkway extends all the way across the ceiling, you won’t need to cut all of the boards. Cut enough boards to fit along both sides of the walkway.

Cut a 5/8-inch-thick piece of plywood to the same width you measured between the beams. If the beams run perpendicular, choose any width for your walkway desired, such as 16 to 18 inches.

Lay the plywood on a flat surface. Apply a 1/4-inch bead of construction adhesive down one side of each board and glue the boards along each side of the plywood to create a raised platform. If more than one board is required, place the edges together as tightly as possible.

Wait until the glue dries, then turn the walkway over and insert deck screws through the top of the plywood so they extend into the boards. Space the screws every 12 inches.

Carry the walkway platform or platforms up into the attic space and turn them so the plywood faces up. Set the bottom boards on top of the ceiling joists in the attic so they are supported.