Finishing Your Attic Space

If you want to use your attic on a regular basis or to store large items you may need to enlarge the access opening and install an access ladder or drop down stairs.

Finishing your attic space.

First and foremost is the question of space. Flooring ceiling and wall materials and other elements will reduce headroom and floor space and it s the finished area that matters. You ll need to make sure your attic is big enough to meet headroom and minimum space requirements for living areas. 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.

Access to attic storage. Warmer in both summer and winter if it s well insulated. If the attic has the potential to become a regular living space talk with a contractor about adding a fixed stairway. Alongside a new bathroom finishing your attic as a new bedroom will be a useful way to utilize the space.

Finished is important to remember when you re measuring an empty attic space. If your home is on a small lot and your family wants more space without moving finishing an attic could be the right move. Finishing your attic can add space and utility and increase the value of your home as long as it s done properly. You could create a new nursery for your newborn or create an exciting guest room for when your friends or family stay over.

Here are some must do tips to follow when finishing your attic. The basic space requirements for a finished attic boil down to the sizes of the finished rooms. When done without proper planning or adherence to local building codes it can actually reduce the value of your home or stall a sale. For maximum comfort create a separate zone within your hvac system for the finished space.

These design ideas will help you transform your finished or remodeled attic into a walk in closet home office game room playroom. 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. Converting your attic into usable finished space can increase the value of your home by maximizing the available square footage. There s a chance you ll need to enlarge the system if your attic wasn t heated or cooled previously so call in a pro to make sure it s up to snuff.

If you re finishing your attic insulating it to the proper r value can cause a dramatic loss of headroom if you limit yourself to fiberglass batts. Your attic has a climate of its own. If you are planning to convert your attic to a living space or undertake another attic remodeling there are some critical points you should keep in mind.