Building Out Your Attic

Ceiling your converted attic s ceiling will be a focal point for anyone entering the.

Building out your attic.

Reclaiming the space under your roof also avoids many zoning and easement concerns common chores when adding onto a house. Figure out how you re going to get up and down from the finished attic space. Enlarging an existing stairway or adding a new one will affect spaces below. Joist dimensions are only part of the equation.

Cost to finish an attic above a garage. A contractor or a local building official can help you assess how the rule will apply to your attic and how modifications like dormers can resolve height shortcomings. Finishing an attic above a garage ranges from 4 600 to 24 000 depending largely on the condition of the building if you want heat installing an electric baseboard heater costs 400 to 1 200 if you re creating living space you might need to pay the price to install a furnace which is 2 600 to 6 200. A stair designed with an intermediate landing and two runs needs about 8 feet on the lower level.

If your attic is a playroom pile on vibrant colors to make the space bright and happy. If your home is smaller than other homes in your area or simply lacks the necessary amount of storage or living space for your family finishing your attic is a relatively inexpensive way to increase your usable space. Have a pro check the structure. Attic joists for live loads.

A finished attic weighs a lot more than boxes of off season duds. If your attic joists won t bear the weight necessary to finish out a living space but the engineer cleared them to support floor decking for light storage you can install inch plywood or. A straight run stair will chew up 10 to 14 feet of floor space. If one gets stained swap it with one in a less conspicuous part of the room.

Whether it s in your personal home or a rental property you will need to meet code if you plan to rent out the room. An attic bedroom exploits roof space previously devoted to high school yearbooks and nesting sparrows. Carpet tiles are also a brilliant choice for playrooms. You also need to ensure that the joist spacing is adequate.

Attic joists that are made from 2x8s may be acceptable for building your attic floor but because every room is variable there are no absolutes. A modular sectional makes a great place to snuggle and lounge. Before you rush out to the local building supply store take a few moments to read this article and consider your needs. If your home s attic is nothing more than wasted space you may want to remod el it.

Refer to your local building code to ensure that your space is safe and ready for tenants. Perhaps you re considering major reconstruction or just trying to gain some office space.