Finally, you haven’t stopped conditioned air from leaking into your attic — so you’re still partially heating and cooling your attic, which is what the insulation is supposed to stop in the first place. This can lead to all kinds of moisture issues in both humid and cold climates, particularly since you now have to remove as much air circulation from the attic as possible.

The problem with 2×2s or 1x whatevers as someone else mentioned is the strength. If you’re storing a lot of stuff up in your attic, and the only thing carrying the load is two 2×2s, and your plywood isn’t supported on all sides, it can be a problem, especially if it’s subjected to a lot of moisture and humidity (osb is even worse compared to plywood as it crumbles). I’ve worked in homes where people put 2×2s as backing to the joist for ductwork, or plumbing and you can put nails and screws galore, but it’s useless when your foot can push it off with ease. 2×2s and 1x whatevers are meant for strapping. If you’re going to use anything, use 2×3s. Square lumber such as 2×2s, and 4×4s aren’t as strong as 2×3s and 5×3s.

Although at one time basements weren’t anything except for utilities and perhaps a cold storage room, it’s certainly changed, but attics I don’t think will ever change because too many problems can occur. Here’s a better idea; condense your stuff and sell it or give it away. If it’s in the attic for more than 6 months, get over it and rid of it.

Personally, I’ve partially decked my attic (for storage) — ran 2×4’s perpendicular to the existing 2×6’s. Filled those with blow-in, put OSB on top. The rest of the attic is getting R-45 worth of batts, or at least R-30 plus a ton of blow-in (all the blow in is recycled from the stuff that’s currently up there).

As for the squirrel evictor — man, I know I wouldn’t want to go up there with that running. But it only works in attics that are square and have no “blind spots”… which eliminates every attic I’ve ever been in. Even for condos.

I can see it now… If I tried one of those Squirrel Evictor thingies, the darn squirrels would find a boom box and a mirrored ball from somewhere and have a rodent disco going on in the attic.

ShopMonger

To me the attic is a place for (lots of) insulation, and maybe a Squirrel Evictor. (I don’t sell that or work for them.)

Probably just a convenience thing. You are absolutely right about the strength issue. The load is not all on the nails or screws that are in shear - but actually a lot of the strength comes from the friction between the mating surfaces (board to board). The clips do offer convenience in that they position the 2×2’s - otherwise you might use 2×3’s - but would need to temporarily hold them in place while they were being screwed to the truss member.

*shrugs*

My guess is that the saddles have greater shear strength than nails.