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Expert: - 11/21/2007


Question
QUESTION: I just bought a treadmill and want to use it on the floor above the garage as it is my family room. My house is 20 years old in Canada.Is it okay or Should I put it in my garage?

ANSWER: Hi Saima - thanks for your question!

I assume you're worried about the machine being too heavy for the attic floor structure.  That shouldn't be a problem if the attic's already being used for storage.  Your treadmill's weight, spread over the large area it occupies, shouldn't amount to much.

You do want to be sure that you have a good source of fresh air up there; attics can collect a lot of dust and other airborne irritants.

Hope this helps!

Richard Taylor, AIA
www.rtastudio.com
www.rtaplans.com

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: I am just worried that does it effect the floor which is actually roof of the garage if we jog on treadmill? Thanks.

Answer
Saima - I can't absolutely assure you that it won't be a problem without actually seeing the garage, but if the attic is used for storage anyway you should be ok.

If you continue to have concerns about it, you need to contact a local design or engineering professional to take a look at it.

Regards,

Richard Taylor, AIA

Architecture

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Richard Taylor, AIA

Expertise

Ask me about all aspects of house, remodeling. , and room addition design and construction. Ask me about historic homes, renovation, and restoration. Ask me about materials and techniques, and about how you can get the best value for your design and construction dollar. Ask me how you can make your home a very special place. I can't, however, answer specific structural engineering questions in this forum - that's something you'll need on-site observation for.

Experience

I own a full-service residential architectural firm, and have been designing custom homes, remodelings, and room additions across the country since 1983. Check us out at Richard Taylor Architects and RTA Plans. I have written and been published extensively on the subject of residential architecture.

Organizations
American Institute of Architects, City of Dublin Architectural Review Board, Vice Chair of City of Dublin Planning and Zoning Commission, American Planning Association, Board Member Historic Dublin Business Association, Past Editor of SPLASH (a software forum), Past Editor of Open Directory Project, Assistant Scoutmaster, Boy Scouts of America

Publications
Business First of Columbus, Suburban New Publications, About.com, Cleveland Plain Dealer, Columbus Dispatch Residential Architect Custom Home Architect Remodeling Architect

Education/Credentials
Bachelor of Environmental Design (Architecture) Miami University 1983
For more about home design, check out my blog at Sense Of Place and join the conversation on our Facebook Page.

Awards and Honors
2010 Dublin Chamber of Commerce Business Person of the Year

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