8 Tips to Make Finishing Your Attic a Breeze
If you are planning to remodel your attic into living space, you probably know already that you are making a financially smart decision. Remodeling or finishing your attic may be the least expensive way to add living space to your home. Remodeling an attic, however, is often not an easy task. Attic spaces present unique remodeling concerns. These eight tips will help you plan for and overcome many of the challenges of remodeling an attic into living space.
1. Plan carefully. Remember that the order in which inspections must be obtained will dictate your schedule. Think through every aspect of both the design and the project, consider possible challenges, and devise plans to overcome each challenge.
2. Design the space for the type of room. The way you design and remodel the space will vary with the uses you plan for the finished room. For example, a bedroom may have different requirements than a playroom. It is also important to think ahead and consider other uses for the space in the future.
3. Plan access to the new room(s) carefully. Creating access to the new space is challenging in some homes. If you are trying to reduce costs for your project, you will want to find and construct the stairs in the best point of access and in a way that involves the least modification of the existing structure. You will also need to check local building codes with reference to exit points. For an instant estimate of the cost to finish your attic try this online calculator.
4. Decide how you will work with the slope of the roof. This is an important aspect of planning, and it will affect your cost and the appearance and functionality of the new room. Do you want a pitched or a cathedral ceiling? How will you construct it? How will you install adequate insulation?
5. Design the room in a way that allows you to use the \"dead space\" near the lowest point of the pitch of the roof. Consider that these areas can be made into outstanding storage areas with a little advance planning.
6. Remember that ventilation and insulation are critical in an attic. Remember that heat rises. Attics can become very warm. You will need to plan for adequate ventilation and insulation to keep the room comfortable without drastically increasing your heating and cooling costs.
7. Plan for wiring and plumbing needs well in advance of beginning work. Electrical wiring and plumbing can present unique challenges in attics. You will need to ensure that the flooring does not rest on any wires. A bathroom will cost least if placed in close proximity to another existing supply and drain line.
8. Consider how and when you will get materials into the space. Consider carefully the size and weight of materials needed for your remodeling project. Plan for how and when you will get large items, like drywall or a toilet, up the stairs and into their permanent position. If you close in the stairs too soon, you could have a problem.
If you are planning to finish or remodel your attic into living space, careful planning and attention to the unique challenges presented by the space will be essential. You can expect to gain valuable living space as well as some increase in the value of your home.
The unique challenges and concerns of attic Remodeling are not to be taken lightly. If you plan to do the project yourself, I suggest the use of an Attic Remodeling Workbook available at www.amazon.com. It will help you plan the project in a way that will make the work go smoother and faster.
Copyright 2008 by ABCD Publishing
Dan Fritschen, the remodel-or-move guru is President and Publisher at ABCD Publishing and operates three very popular websites -- http://www.remodelormove.com, which helps homeowners make this important decision on the basis of knowledge and reliable cost estimates, and http://www.remodelestimates.com, which offers a variety of articles on various aspects of remodeling and remodeling cost estimate calculators, as well as referrals to great contractors throughout the nation, and http://www.remodelingorganizer.com He is the author of three books on home remodeling.
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