Here are some must do tips to follow when finishing your attic.
Finishing attic bedroom.
Having a finished attic whether it is a bedroom or another kind of space will increase the house s ability to retain heat thereby reducing energy costs.
A contractor or a local building official can help you assess how the rule will apply to your attic and how modifications like dormers can resolve height shortcomings.
To meet all three goals insulating your finished attic ventilating the roof and maximizing headroom use a combination of dense batt insulation rigid foam sheeting and air chutes.
Before you put up wallpaper or decorate.
We are remodeling and rebuilding a 90 year old attic into a master bedroom.
So if you re planning to get a few years of use out of it the investment might make more sense.
It may take 2 to 3 coats to cover the new drywall.
Instinctively eyes will be drawn to the sloped ceiling in most attics so it s a good.
In most cases though the joists cannot support live loads and may not even be covered with boards.
Finishing your attic can add space and utility and increase the value of your home as long as it s done properly.
You may be able to regain that storage space by using space under the new staircase.
When done without proper planning or adherence to local building codes it can actually reduce the value of your home or stall a sale.
Finishing the attic into liveable space nets an average of 9 3 out of 10 joy score or sense of happiness the owners have upon completion on nar s renovation report.
Spend extra on the ceiling.
Every attic is different but a few established norms and practices will guide your renovation.
A ladder is insufficient.
The attic floor which is the ceiling of the living space below often already is insulated.
In rare cases especially in new construction homes the attic may have been built unfinished with the correct flooring in place with the idea that the homeowner could later on finish the space.
If it is and you plan to provide heating and cooling to the finished attic space you need to remove.
Prime and paint the walls.
Enforcement varies but codes typically say that at least half of a finished attic must be at least 7 feet high and that this area must be a minimum of 7 feet wide and 70 square feet.
Adding a staircase will take up space in a room below the attic so consider converting a closet.
An attic bedroom requires a standard staircase to meet code.
Financially even though an attic bedroom will reduce ventilation most people consider finishing an attic to be a good decision.
Follow the rule of 7s.
