Tips for Converting an Attic
If you are lucky enough to have a home with an
attic, this could be the ideal place to convert to gain that extra
room you’ve dreamed of having. After all, it already has walls,
floor and ceiling, so that is more than half the cost of building an
addition, right? Certainly, an attic does have all the components of
a basic room, but there are some unique – and maybe costly -
problems with converting an attic.
Although you have the basic structure, the walls are low and the
roof sloping, so unless you want to be bumping your head all the
time, something will have to be done about that. You will need to
have the walls extended vertically, which means the roof will have
to be lifted. Even if you decide to leave that part as it is and
simply sacrifice floor space to get your height, there are other
considerations. The flooring may need to be strengthened. Most
attics have substandard flooring support because they are not meant
for living areas.
Insulation is another problem. Being right at the top of the house
will make your attic very hot and very cold, depending on the
season, so insulation is of prime importance. You may also need
insulation in the floor. Roof or dormer windows may need to be
installed; you don’t really want to depend on artificial light day
and night. Extra vents will be needed to make sure there is enough
ventilation – both in and out.
Wiring for electricity will have to be run to service the room or
rooms created. This can be costly unless it is done at the same time
the house is being built. You may also need plumbing, depending on
what the rooms are for.
Another consideration is access. If the rooms are going to be used
often, you may need something easier to negotiate than a ladder or
steep stairway. At the very least a handrail (or two) will make it
safer. These jobs are better left to the expert – preferably one who
has had experience with converting attics. But that doesn’t mean you
will have nothing to do
Painting is the same whether upstairs of down and that is something
anyone can do – well, almost anyone. Once the main alterations are
done, you could install the moldings yourself and lay the carpet or
other flooring. You can fix shelves and light fixtures and of course
decide on the furnishings. If you are building a house and think you
could make use of the attic in the future, have all of the above
details seen to at the time of building to save your costs later on.
It will even pay to have the internal cladding stored up there while
there is room to get it up.
About the Author: D. Benjamin is the owner of
iapsales.com LLC - a family business specializing in HVAC products. We
are distributors of
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