Creating an Attic Room

For many of us, the attic qualifies as a non-room. It lies empty and dusty, or at best it is used as a place where old and forgotten boxes and furniture sit and collect mold. This does not have to be the case, however. With some thought and originality, your attic can be turned into a functional and useful room in the house with a little bit of remodeling. Turning your attic into a playroom, a guest room, or a home office can add a significant value to your home.

Because many attics are designed only as spare space, remodeling is made difficult due to the challenges posed by the beams, insulation, and piping involved. Some attics will even incorporate the water heater for the house. The first step in determining if your attic can be turned into a room is to contact a professional to have a look. A pro can tell you what items in an attic can be moved or removed, and will also be able to determine if the floors are sound enough to bare the weight that would be present in a room. If the floor is not structurally sound, a contractor will also be able to determine if reinforcing is an option.

Remember that a key area of energy loss in the home is the attic. More than 35% of hot air in the winter and cool air in the summer is lost through the attic, which is one of the reasons why they are so tightly insulated most of the time. This insulation will need to be adjusted if you are going to turn your attic into a functional room, so make sure that your contractor packs key areas in the new space tightly with insulation. Attic rooms need to have vents installed, as they will tend to get quite a bit hotter and stuffier than the rest of the house, even during the winter time (heat rises, so the attic will be a few degrees above the rest of the house when the heating is working properly).

Another problem area when it comes to remodeling an attic is the ceiling. Ceilings in attics are usually pretty low, and this will not be an adjustable option in some cases. The whole roof may need to be replaced in order to accommodate the attic room, so in some cases it will not be feasible. However, if you have to replace the beams and roof anyway, you might consider adding some extra height.

Attic rooms can be great, but there is a great deal to consider if you think this is the right move for your home.

Linden Walhard regularly writes papers on issues corresponding to cabinets and decorating. You might see his comments on kitchen remodeling at http://www.kitchen-cabinets-tips.com and different sources for kitchen remodeling knowledge.