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By Brent Furdyk
11 Things to Know When Converting Your Attic Space
Converting your attic into usable living space is a great way to maximize your home. When contemplating an attic renovation, however, it's important to have a few pieces of key information nailed down before you get started.
By Brent Furdyk
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Structural Reinforcement
1/11Structural Reinforcement
1/11Photo Credit: atticdesigns.co.ukSource: www.atticdesigns.co.uk
Will you be adding a bathroom to your finished attic? Foresee heavy furniture in the space? Even if you checked no in both those boxes, it's wise to get a professional to take a look. It's advisable to hire an engineer to see whether your home's foundation and framing can handle the extra weight a finished attic will bring. At a minimum, you may need to strengthen the attic's floor joists, which can sometimes be too shallow or spaced too far apart to serve as an adequate floor. An engineer will tell you what you need to do.DIY11 Things to Know When Converting Your Attic SpaceStructural Reinforcement
PHOTO 1 of 11READ LESS -Will you be adding a bathroom to your finished attic? Foresee heavy furniture in the space? Even if you checked no in both those boxes, it's wise to get a professional to take a look. It's advisable to hire an engineer to see whether your home's foundation and framing can handle the extra weight a finished attic will bring. At a minimum, you may need to strengthen the attic's floor joists, which can sometimes be too shallow or spaced too far apart to serve as an adequate floor. An engineer will tell you what you need to do.Photo Credit: atticdesigns.co.ukSource: www.atticdesigns.co.uk
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Insulation
2/11Insulation
2/11Photo Credit: Pmhomesil.comSource: pmhomesil.com
An attic is typically the coldest or warmest part of the home, depending on the time of year, so you may need to add extra insulation. Spray foam insulation is most costly, but may be a better solution; in addition, insulation beneath the attic floor will not only prevent excessive heat loss in the winter, but will also provide a sound barrier that will mute attic sounds to those on the floor below.DIY11 Things to Know When Converting Your Attic SpaceInsulation
PHOTO 2 of 11READ LESS -An attic is typically the coldest or warmest part of the home, depending on the time of year, so you may need to add extra insulation. Spray foam insulation is most costly, but may be a better solution; in addition, insulation beneath the attic floor will not only prevent excessive heat loss in the winter, but will also provide a sound barrier that will mute attic sounds to those on the floor below.Photo Credit: Pmhomesil.comSource: pmhomesil.com
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Codes and Permits
3/11Codes and Permits
3/11Photo Credit: 24hplans.comSource: www.24hplans.com
Building codes vary from municipality to municipality, but a good rule of thumb to keep in mind is the "rule of sevens." That's because codes usually specify that at least half the attic's height must be at least 7 feet, and this area must be a minimum of 7 feet wide and 70 square feet. This could have a big impact on your plans, while dormers and other modifications can assist in addressing any problems.DIY11 Things to Know When Converting Your Attic SpaceCodes and Permits
PHOTO 3 of 11READ LESS -Building codes vary from municipality to municipality, but a good rule of thumb to keep in mind is the "rule of sevens." That's because codes usually specify that at least half the attic's height must be at least 7 feet, and this area must be a minimum of 7 feet wide and 70 square feet. This could have a big impact on your plans, while dormers and other modifications can assist in addressing any problems.Photo Credit: 24hplans.comSource: www.24hplans.com
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Beams: To Expose or Not to Expose
4/11Beams: To Expose or Not to Expose
4/11Photo Credit: Homestylecentral.comSource: www.homestylecentral.com
Will you want to leave ceiling beams exposed or cover with drywall? This will have ramifications on lighting, electrical and other elements, so it's a good idea to sort out the beam-or-no-beam question before proceeding.DIY11 Things to Know When Converting Your Attic SpaceBeams: To Expose or Not to Expose
PHOTO 4 of 11READ LESS -Will you want to leave ceiling beams exposed or cover with drywall? This will have ramifications on lighting, electrical and other elements, so it's a good idea to sort out the beam-or-no-beam question before proceeding.Photo Credit: Homestylecentral.comSource: www.homestylecentral.com
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Skylights
5/11Skylights
5/11Photo Credit: Whyskylights.comSource: whyskylights.com
Skylights (especially ones that can open) are a great solution to let light into an otherwise dark attic space, but it's important to know where you'll be placing them before renovating.DIY11 Things to Know When Converting Your Attic SpaceSkylights
PHOTO 5 of 11READ LESS -Skylights (especially ones that can open) are a great solution to let light into an otherwise dark attic space, but it's important to know where you'll be placing them before renovating.Photo Credit: Whyskylights.comSource: whyskylights.com
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Windows
6/11Windows
6/11Photo Credit: Houzz.comSource: www.houzz.com
A similar alternative to skylights are roof windows such as these, and windows that can open — like these ones — will also allow the attic to be full of fresh air during the warmer months.DIY11 Things to Know When Converting Your Attic SpaceWindows
PHOTO 6 of 11READ LESS -A similar alternative to skylights are roof windows such as these, and windows that can open — like these ones — will also allow the attic to be full of fresh air during the warmer months.Photo Credit: Houzz.comSource: www.houzz.com
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Bathroom
7/11Bathroom
7/11Photo Credit: Shelterness.comSource: www.shelterness.com
Do you envision adding a bathroom to your renovated attic? It can be a great use of space, and if this is your plan, think about where you're going to situate the bathroom. Placing the bathroom on top of a bathroom on the lower floor will prevent the expense of having to move pipes. In addition, adding a bathroom may require additional structural strength to handle the new weight — another great reason to consult with an engineer.DIY11 Things to Know When Converting Your Attic SpaceBathroom
PHOTO 7 of 11READ LESS -Do you envision adding a bathroom to your renovated attic? It can be a great use of space, and if this is your plan, think about where you're going to situate the bathroom. Placing the bathroom on top of a bathroom on the lower floor will prevent the expense of having to move pipes. In addition, adding a bathroom may require additional structural strength to handle the new weight — another great reason to consult with an engineer.Photo Credit: Shelterness.comSource: www.shelterness.com
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Storage
8/11Storage
8/11Photo Credit: Rosecitybungalow1913.blogspot.caSource: rosecitybungalow1913.blogspot.ca
Storage is always at a premium in most homes, and converting an attic into living space presents a wonderful opportunity to create some built-in storage solutions, such as this brilliant window seat/storage unit with built-in shelving and drawers to maximize the use of space.DIY11 Things to Know When Converting Your Attic SpaceStorage
PHOTO 8 of 11READ LESS -Storage is always at a premium in most homes, and converting an attic into living space presents a wonderful opportunity to create some built-in storage solutions, such as this brilliant window seat/storage unit with built-in shelving and drawers to maximize the use of space.Photo Credit: Rosecitybungalow1913.blogspot.caSource: rosecitybungalow1913.blogspot.ca
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Stairs
9/11Stairs
9/11Photo Credit: Loftcentre.co.ukSource: www.pinterest.com
Will you need to create a space for a new staircase up to the attic? Will that entail expanding the existing attic stairs or creating a completely new concept, such as this space-saving spiral staircase? Determining where you're going to locate a staircase, and what type of staircase it will be, will help you determine the layout of your new refinished attic.DIY11 Things to Know When Converting Your Attic SpaceStairs
PHOTO 9 of 11READ LESS -Will you need to create a space for a new staircase up to the attic? Will that entail expanding the existing attic stairs or creating a completely new concept, such as this space-saving spiral staircase? Determining where you're going to locate a staircase, and what type of staircase it will be, will help you determine the layout of your new refinished attic.Photo Credit: Loftcentre.co.ukSource: www.pinterest.com
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Ceiling Fan
10/11Ceiling Fan
10/11Photo Credit: Benquieandsons.comSource: benquieandsons.com
When creating the attic design, give serious consideration to leaving space for a ceiling fan. Not only will a ceiling fan keep the attic from getting musty by circulating air throughout, it will also help keep the space cool in the summer and warm in the winter, pushing hot air down into the house instead of letting it escape through the roof.DIY11 Things to Know When Converting Your Attic SpaceCeiling Fan
PHOTO 10 of 11READ LESS -When creating the attic design, give serious consideration to leaving space for a ceiling fan. Not only will a ceiling fan keep the attic from getting musty by circulating air throughout, it will also help keep the space cool in the summer and warm in the winter, pushing hot air down into the house instead of letting it escape through the roof.Photo Credit: Benquieandsons.comSource: benquieandsons.com
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Heating and Cooling
11/11Heating and Cooling
11/11Photo Credit: Eurodale.ca
Many homeowners find that extending the existing heating/cooling system to the attic can be a bigger job than anticipated, and opt to give the attic its own standalone heating and cooling. Baseboard heaters and radiant under-floor heating can be good options.DIY11 Things to Know When Converting Your Attic SpaceHeating and Cooling
PHOTO 11 of 11READ LESS -Many homeowners find that extending the existing heating/cooling system to the attic can be a bigger job than anticipated, and opt to give the attic its own standalone heating and cooling. Baseboard heaters and radiant under-floor heating can be good options.Photo Credit: Eurodale.ca
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