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Maybe you live in urban areas with limited property space or figure it’s cheaper to build upward rather than expand out, given your attic floors and walls already exist. In some cases, boomerang kids move back and need more privacy. In other scenarios, moving out is not as feasible as moving up, so here’s how to convert your attic into extra living space.
Use this guide to learn how to transform your attic space from exposed rafters to a finished room!Click To TweetDecide the Purpose of the Finished Attic Space
Identify the destined purpose of your room. Local codes needed insulation, and stairs leading up or in will dictate how you proceed. Some use the rule of seven to determine whether a space can be rented and deemed an official ‘room.’
According to the rule, the space must be 70 square feet with seven-foot ceilings and floors seven feet wide.
Moreover, office space may require electrical outlets for computers and equipment versus a playroom or study that requires fewer electrical outlets.
Consider Installing Insulated Flooring
Your unfinished attic has wood floors that creak and make noise. Added cushion, such as carpet, deafens sounds and makes it warmer in colder seasons. Carpet could inspire fungus growth, however, so choose your flooring depending on moisture and average temperatures in your area. Some manufacturers offer interjoining square flooring to cover attic spaces.
Half Walls Might Be Needed in an Attic Above garage
Many attics adopt the slope of a home’s roof. Little room and awkward angles necessitate knee walls, popular in these spaces. Knee walls are built from the floor and tip into place against angled rafters. The walls give your attic more of a box-style finish and help insulate. In some situations, a half wall or pony wall segment areas and visually block an upward entrance.
Hire Professionals for Converting Attic Space Above Garage
Electrical work can be minimal, just a matter of running additional wire to the attic, that is, if your home breakers can handle the added load.
A plumber can help identify the ‘main stack’ where the home’s primary plumbing pipes are located. If you’re thinking of installing a full or half bath, running pipe gets expensive and complicated.
An HVAC specialist determines whether your heating and cooling system can make the attic hospitable. Otherwise, window air units and floorboard heaters manipulate attic temperatures.
Many Power Tools Will Be Used
The project determines the needed resources. The tools in the average guy or gal’s garage won’t cut it. You’ll need to invest in power tools and rent specialty equipment from local hardware stores.
An end-to-end DIY job can be challenging to handle, so be practical in reserving some duties for experienced professionals. Also, cordless tools can help a great deal when the nearest outlet is far away.
Don’t Forget to Put Windows
Many attics don’t have windows. The absence of light makes a living space uninviting and drab. A range of window and lighting options accommodate all kinds of rooms.
Dormer windows project vertically from a sloping roof and are installed in attic spaces to add light and emergency exits.
Adding a window is a cost, but consider how light improves the space and makes your project profitable.
Do you know the cost to convert the attic to living space?
Krystle Cook – the creator of Home Jobs by MOM – put her psychology degree on a shelf and dived into a pile of diapers and dishes instead. She is a wife and mother to two rambunctious boys, sweating it out in her Texas hometown. She loves cooking, DIY home projects, and family fun activities.
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We don’t have an attic, not that common here in Australia
Oh really? I didn’t know that! Thanks for the information!
We don’t have an attic, not that common here in Georgia.
Ah, I get that. Here in Texas basements are rare.
I do have an attic. It has no a/c or heat. Currently, I just use it for storage and I made a grow room out of one section to start my plants for my garden.
A grow room in an attic sounds like a great idea!
I have 1 very large attic and 1 med size I want to do the large one. And get et I’d of Yvan and get this new ? System a friend of mine has it and it’s great. I want to put in a window maybe a skylight I Flores it after I bought this house new 21 years ago. I just want to understand proper walls and could I put bamboo flooring in? And right where the attic stairs are is an empty room if like to put a stair case in there?
It would be neat if you could do something with your large attic space!