16 November Renovating Your Attic Into the Perfect Spare Room November 16, 2020 By sma DIY attic, insulation, roof 0 RENOVATING YOUR ATTIC INTO THE PERFECT SPARE ROOM November 16, 2020 | DIY | attic, roof, insulation Trying to find enough space in your house for storage or entertaining is a problem most homeowners deal with. There’s only so much you can do depending on your house’s size, and more importantly, your budget. So what else can you do to add space, and not break the bank? The answer might be right above your head. Your Attic Could be the Choice If you already have a finished basement that you’re using, you can do the same thing with your attic. What you do with your attic does of course depend on its size, but even smaller ones can be put to good use. If you do decide to go ahead with a renovation, here’s some advice to make sure you do the job right. Endless Opportunities Attic renovations are becoming more and more popular among homeowners, especially with families staying in together. Attics offer a quiet retreat away from the hustle and bustle of the main floors of a home, and sheltering-in-place homeowners are looking to utilize any and all extra space. Plus, renovations are relatively low-cost. Some of the most popular options are: A spare bedroom An office A home theater A game room A reading nook A man cave Your perfect option will of course depend on the size and shape of your space, but most any attic can be finished and converted into a usable room. Check Any Rules and Regulations As with any project that involves major changes to your home’s physical structure, there are certain code restrictions that determine what you can do. Check with a professional to see if you can safely make renovations on your attic. Going ahead with a project could not only get you in trouble, but also create safety issues for anyone that uses the space. Plus, having a professional examine your attic will help solidify your plans moving forward. Relocating the Access Your attic access is most likely located in either a hallway, closet or outside in your garage. If you’re lucky, your access could just be a small, tucked away staircase. This is more common in older homes. If you aren’t so fortunate, you'll have to move your hatch to a more accessible part of your home. The good news is that this isn't a labor intensive process and won’t prolong your project. Again, you’ll need to consult with an inspector to safely move and install a new access. Plan for the Temperature No matter where you’re living, you need to take into account your region’s temperature and seasons. You'll have to plan for either freezing winters, or hot and humid summers, or maybe even both. Before you get started putting down flooring, you’ll have to insulate and re-route your vents to your attic. Uninsulated pipes could freeze, mold could form from high condensation and other expensive problems may develop over time. Don’t try to save a few dollars by skimping on proper attic insulation. Bringing in Light Another large part of the remodel process is how to brighten up that otherwise dark attic. You can add new windows to bring in natural light, but the size and placement of them hinges on building codes. Headroom is hard to come by, and you don’t want fixtures sticking out and getting in the way. Can and recessed lighting are both great options for smaller spaces like an attic. You can also use wireless lighting to save on placing new wiring. Of course, using light colored paint helps to artificially light up a room, and can make it seem larger. Have NPI Inspect Every Floor A home inspection report from NPI will help keep your attic hideaway intact. Find your local inspector today! Comments are closed.