All American Restoration and Painting, LLC

In many cases an attic can be a great area for creating more living space in your home. However, your attic must first be assessed by a licensed contractor or building inspector to determine if it is structurally strong enough to support an attic renovation or conversion project.

Your attic is also a great place for storing, and let's face it, forgetting about old and unused things. Whether or not you use your attic for storage, or are considering turning it into usable living space, it is an extremely important area of your home that should regularly be inspected. At least twice a year you should visually inspect it for any signs of water damage or insulation problems. The easiest way to check for water damage is look for waster stains on the attic ceiling.

Most homes have large attic spaces, especially if the house has a steep roof pitch. Attic renovation projects frequently include transforming the large, useless space into bedrooms, office spaces, and bathrooms. Before embarking on an attic renovation project it is important to first plan it out carefully.

When planning an attic renovation project, it is important to consider how you are going to access to the living space. If a staircase or normal door height entranceway already exist, then you are all set. However if entering and exiting your attic is through a pull down attic staircase, or worse, a hatch door that requires a ladder, then you will need to determine if and where, you can put a standard staircase and door.

Attics that have highly steep roof pitches, e.g. a 12/12 pitch, are ideally suited for creating attic living space. However, even with steep roof pitches, there is less living space that can be carved out of the attic then most homeowners realize.

First you need to determine the maximum ceiling height of the attic space. You need to realize that the higher the ceiling height, the narrower the flat ceiling area. Second, knee walls should probably be installed to the minimum headroom level required. This height may be as low as only 2 to 3 feet, or could be as high as 6 to 8 feet. It really depends upon your plan for the areas where the roof line ties into the outer walls of your home. Sometimes these areas are best used for storage or closet space, just to ensure the area is not unused space.

Another key element that needs to be evaluated when undertaking an attic renovation project is how the attic is framed. For example, what type of ceiling joists were used in the framing? Ceiling joists of the lower level are effectively the floor joists of your attic area. Frequently attic ceiling joists are inadequate for supporting the weight of a living space. Consequently, larger sized lumber may need to be joined to the existing ceiling/floor joists. If the existing ceiling joists are inadequate you will inevitably end up with cracked lower level ceilings.

Attic framing also frequently has cross braces and collar ties running throughout them. You may need to meet with an architect or your local building inspector to see what you can do to replace these structural supports in a way to create a larger unobstructed living space.

If you are lucky, your attic may already have some windows in it. If not, you should seriously consider including one or two dormers in your attic renovation project. Dormers enable windows to be installed into the attic area allowing natural light, as well as provide for some additional headroom space. Installing skylights into the roof line is another great alternative.

Attics can be very hot in the summer and very cold in the winter. Because of this, it is important to insulate them well. However, even with insulation, attic living spaces can still be uncomfortably warm and cold, so you will also need to carefully consider how you will heat and cool this space. Sometimes, it makes the most sense to install a localized heating/cooling system in the attic, versus tying the space into the main HVAC system.

If you want a bathroom in your attic, heed this advice. Installing bathrooms in the attic can be tricky. You will need to tie it into the existing vent and drain stacks, so you may be limited to where you can actually locate the bathroom in your attic. In addition water filled tubs are very heavy. Additional structural support may be required under the tub area to support this weight. You will also need to have plumbing supply lines to the attic. This can lead to having to remove sheetrock in the lower level to get access to the existing supply lines.

Without a doubt, an attic renovation project is a great way to gain more living space in your home, however planning it out first is absolutely critical in ensuring a quality and safe living space. With the planning tips discussed above your attic renovation project should go a lot smoother.

If you do not want to go the remodeling route for your attic, you can always inspect the attic and if necessary make some minor improvements. A well-insulated and ventilated attic can save you a lot of money and aggravation. The attic can be a significant contributor to heat loss from your home if not properly insulated.

When inspecting your attic, make sure you have sufficient insulation and that it has not been compressed down. The general rule of thumb in regards to attic insulation is you should not be able to see the floor joists. The insulation should be as thick, if not thicker, than the joists. This ensures that you have proper thickness, and your insulation will function the most effectively. The easiest and cheapest way to check that your insulation is working properly is the next time there is a heavy frost, go outside and look at your roof. If you notice spots where the frost has melted, you know those are spots that may need more insulation.

Another tip to remember, if you have recessed lighting in the ceilings of the floor below, you might want to consider building custom boxes to install over the cans in the attic. This will ensure proper air circulation, and not cause the insulation to get hot due to the heat of the light bulbs.

Also, make sure your soffits and ridge and gable end vents are free from materials that can clog them, like bees nests, leaves, pine straw, sticks, pinecones, etc.

If you have an attic door, apply weather stripping around the seams and insulate the backside of the door. You can also purchase an attic tent. These go directly over the attic door, and create a tight seal which reduces heat loss in the winter and cool air in the summer.

With these few basic attic insulation tips you can significantly reduce your heating and cooling bills.