In many cases, the air conditioning and heating systems aren’t adequate enough to reach the attic. Will You Need Additional Units For the HVAC System? If the space is being used as a bedroom or separate living quarters, there will likely need to be a minimum of two exits, including a doorway and a window. This simply refers to providing occupants of the room with adequate means of escaping should an emergency come about, such as a fire. Have You Considered “Egress”?ĭepending on what you’ll be using your attic space for, you may need to adhere to specific egress requirements. Otherwise, you may have to either expand or reconfigure the stairs or create a new space for a new set of stairs leading to the attic. If you already have a staircase, it may be adequate enough to serve as an entry and exit point. You’re going to need a way to reach your newly renovated attic space somehow, and usually, a set of stairs is the way to do it. How Will You Gain Access to Your New Space? ![]() But if you need to completely reconfigure your pipes, this will require plenty of planning and the help of a plumber and engineer. This can be much easier if the bathroom is installed directly over top of a bathroom on the level below, as the pipes can simply extend up. If you plan to install a bathroom, you’ll need to consider how the plumbing pipes will reach the space. But what may be more of an issue if not properly addressed is plumbing, if needed. You’re going to need some lighting up in the attic, which will require ample electrical wiring to be installed. Have You Considered Electrical Wiring and Plumbing Pipes? Make sure you account for the installation of windows (if there aren’t any already) in your attic renovation project. It would be a pretty dark and dingy space if the attic you convert lacks windows. It’s important to follow these codes not only to make sure you’re in compliance but also to make sure that the project you undertake results in a space that’s safe for occupancy. Are You Compliant With Local Building Codes?Įvery jurisdiction comes with its own set of building codes that dictate what types of projects are legal and which ones aren’t. Plus, insulation can also help to create more of a sound insulator from the rest of the home. In order to make the space comfortable for use, make sure that it is insulated adequately enough to keep the area cool in the summer and warm in the winter. ![]() The attic tends to be either the hottest or coldest part of the house, depending on the season. ![]() If you just want to add a couple of chairs to create a little rec room, that might be fine.īut if you intend to install a bathroom or completely outfit the space with tons of heavy furniture, you’ll want to verify that the attic’s floor joists are adequate enough to support the project. Is Your Home’s Structure Strong Enough?ĭepending on what you plan to do with your attic space, you’ll first want to make sure that the structural integrity is intact. That said, it’s important to consider a number of factors before you get started with an attic renovation. In fact, converting your attic into a usable living space is a fantastic way to maximize the square footage of your home. While the basement is always the first place homeowners turn to, your attic might actually be a great alternative, as long as the space permits. READ: HGTV’s Bryan Baeumler Tells You The Home Reno Projects That Pay For Themselves Short of actually building a whole new addition, you may be able to make use of underutilized space in your home to serve as an additional bedroom, office space, gym, or any other requirement you might have. Whether more space is needed to support a growing family or accommodate new hobbies, additional space is often required.īut before you decide to put your home up for sale and move to a larger home, you might want to consider adding extra space to your existing home. For many homeowners, the potential to outgrow a home often becomes a reality at some point.
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