When converting an attic to a living space, it must meet the same building requirements as the other rooms in your home. To meet most building codes your attic should: Have at least 7 feet of vertical clearance in the majority of the room, be a minimum of 7 feet wide and have at least 70 square feet of space available.
Is an attic remodel worth it?
According to the NAR 2019 report, converting an attic to a living area nets an average 56% ROI, a higher return than adding a new bathroom, or more than adding a new master suite.
What do you do with attic space?
- of 11. Set up a home office.
- of 11. Create the closet of your dreams.
- of 11. Craft a playroom.
- of 11. Build a cozy reading nook.
- of 11. Throw together a multipurpose room.
- of 11. Make a mini library.
- of 11. Create a game room.
- of 11. Make a craft room.
How do you know if your attic can be converted?
Roof Rafters or Trusses Another factor that determines whether you can convert your attic is the presence of roof rafters vs. roof trusses. Traditional rafters look like triangles; trusses look like triangles with smaller triangles inside of them—the boards forming these small triangles are called chords and webs.
Does a finished attic count as square footage?
In general, areas like staircases and closets count as finished square footage. Spaces like garages, three-season porches and unfinished basements or attics are not included in the square footage of a house.
Do attics add value?
This frees up core living areas of the home for a home gym, second living area or a games room. This too make your attic a major point of differentiation for potential buyers when you put your home on the market. By making the most of your existing floor plan in this way, you can dramatically increase its market value.
Can my attic support a floor?
That begs the question; can my attic support a floor? The answer, in most cases, is a definite yes. Even though it wasn’t put there, the joists supporting your ceiling are quite strong. Putting down flooring won’t stress them any more than the floors in your bedroom, kitchen, or bath.
What should not be stored in an attic?
- Paints, cleaning products, or other toxins.
- Anything that is highly flammable.
- Delicate holiday decorations.
- Art is never good to store in the attic.
- Leather products.
- Cardboard boxes.
- Musical instruments.
- Anything wool (or made from natural fibers)
What flooring is good for attic storage?
A tiled floor is the best option for storage in the attic. We aren’t talking about smooth kitchen or bathroom tiles, but rather plastic or rubber tiles. These are a lot less expensive of an option and are very easy to install. Look for tiles that are water-resistant and scratch-resistant.
Does a finished attic need to be vented?
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. To maximize headroom, properly insulate your attic and ventilate the roof, use a combination of dense batt insulation, rigid foam sheeting and air chutes.
Is it OK to store stuff in attic?
Storing items in your attic is far more preferable than storing them in the basement or garage where they may get wet from flooding and are exposed to the elements. Use the attic to store anything that is impervious to heat. Heat can damage items such as photographs and wood.
How much does it cost to turn an attic into a bedroom?
The average cost to renovate the attic and convert it into a living space is $40,000-50,000 A finished attic can be converted into a bedroom, home office, bathroom, or play room. Remodeling an attic that has already been finished costs $12,000 – 30,000, depending on the scope of work and materials used.
Do I need an architect for an attic conversion?
For the vast majority of attic conversions it is not necessary to engage an architect or engineer. In fact we would see architectural drawings for only about 3% or 4% of our contracts. However, if your house is unusual in design or layout you may need to consult with a professional.
How long does it take to convert an attic?
A basic attic conversion will take about 10 days to complete, Gilbert says, but to make the attic space look and feel habitable, you need to factor in good sources of natural light and ventilation.
Does attic conversion require planning permission?
In most cases, you don’t need to apply for planning permission for a dormer loft conversion. This is because the structure won’t usually require any dramatic changes to the exterior of your home, so the work is usually classed as permitted development.
Is a finished attic considered a story?
Architecturally speaking, an attic is not considered a full story unless it has at least 8-foot walls and the roofline ends above the windows on that floor. If the roofline ends at floor height and there are dormers or windows, then it is considered a half story.
Whats considered a finished attic?
Homes with finished attics typically use this square footage as a bedroom or other living space. This means you insulation is installed between the ceiling rafters and studs of exterior walls. The finished attic floor can be uninsulated so it remains connected to the rest of the living space.
What is not included in square footage of a house?
Unfinished areas, screened or open patios, vaulted rooms, and airspaces are not factored into a home’s square footage. Additionally, any space that requires passing through an unfinished area – such as a pool house, storage area, or guest house will not be factored into the home’s square footage.
Can you have a bathroom in the attic?
Can you put a bathroom in the attic? Yes, you can put a bathroom in the attic. Converting a loft space and adding a bathroom is really common and a great way to add more space and value to your home.
How much does it cost to turn attic into bonus room?
The cost to finish an attic above a garage (also called a “bonus room”) varies significantly based on whether you need to install heating, ventilation, and insulation. Prices range from $4,600 to $24,000.
How much equity does a finished attic add?
5. Finished attic | 60%
How much weight can finished attic hold?
On average an attic can hold about 10lbs per square foot. The attic is the best place for when you want to utilize space in your house and they are specifically designed to hold storage, but they can even be turned into a bedroom or a functional space.
How much weight can I put in my attic?
On average, an attic that has not been designed specifically for storage or already converted into a habitable room can hold 10lbs per square foot. The maximum weight load of an attic can be increased by taking certain measures, such as layering wood across the joists to spread the weight.
Is it OK to put plywood over insulation in attic?
Once the insulation is down, you can turn your attic into valuable storage space by covering the floor with plywood. It will also make the attic a safer place in which to walk.
Do clothes get ruined in the attic?
An attic is typically devoid of natural light and can be hot and humid. It is easy for mold, mildew, and musty odors to develop on or in clothing in a dank, dark environment. When clothes are not stored in airtight containers, moisture can sneak in and begin destroying fibers.