Attic/Basement Conversion in Hillsborough , Durham, Cary, Raleigh and Chapel Hill areas, NC
Any transformation of attic storage ideas and a finished attic will need to deal with building codes.
Check with your local building code in your area before deciding on size and design.
Here are the three main aspects to attics building codes.
Ceiling
In order to turn your attic space into living space, the ceilings must be 7 feet from the finished floor.
Egress
If you plan to turn your attic space into a bedroom, you’ll have to have at least two exits. One can be the staircase to the lower floor. Another exit could be a window.
or an in-wall escape ladder tucked behind a cabinet door, just in case you need to use this exit.
Joist
The attic floor joists need to meet certain codes and may need reinforcement to be able to support the weight of your renovated living space.
Extra weight comes in the form of plumbing, drywall, and lighting.
Once you’ve dealt with building codes, you can turn your attention to light in your attic.
Think About Natural Light
Typically, attics don’t have many windows. Adding dormers can be pricey and will eat up wall space.
A better option is to install skylights.
These allow both fresh air and a flood of natural light into the space. Plus, installation is simpler this way.
Skylights look stunning on slanted ceilings! You can even get solar-powered shades that you can control with a remote to keep the temperature perfect in the attic.
Opt for Spray Foam Insulation
If you are creating an attic bedroom, you’ll have to think about insulation.
The attic is the hottest room in during the hot months and icy cold in the winter. The quality of insulation in the attic affects how comfortable the finished attic is.
But, to make an attic room that is comfortable in every season, you want the best insulation you can. That way you won’t spend tons of money and energy heating and cooling the finished attic.
Though it’s more expensive, foam insulation forms a tight air barrier in every tiny crevice. Plus, rodents and insects can’t chomp through the stuff which is a bonus.
And since it takes up less space, you will have more room overhead this way.
Do You Need a New HVAC Zone?
If you are planning to convert your attic into an attic bedroom, you might want to make sure the temperature is right in the space.
You can have an HVAC professional create a new zone for your finished attic. Then it would get its own thermostat so that the attic rooms are heated and cooled properly.
You really want to do this step now before you’ve finished the space. It will be much more work and money down the line.
Think About Soundproofing
What room of the house will be directly under the finished attic space? If it’s a bedroom, you will want to consider soundproofing the attic flooring.
Thicker floor joists and dense-pack insulation that is blown in over the bays will help a lot. A good carpet with thick underlayment may be best option .
Adding a Bathroom
Adding a bathroom to your finished attic is a genius idea if you can swing it.
You can expect a huge return if you sell the house down the road.
Final Thoughts on Turning Your Attic Space Into Living Space
Renovating an unused attic into a finished attic is a smart way to add more living space to your home.
You can use the finished attic as a bedroom, lounge area, den or playroom. Then, if you ever decide to list your property, your house will be able to sell for so much extra because of the additional living space.