For many of us, the attic is sorely underused space. It can be one of the best places to look for home addition opportunities. Attics can become quiet, efficient home offices, luxurious master suite refuges or cozy playrooms and hobby studios. Every attic project needs special consideration, though. Most attics were not designed with living space in mind. That means they might not meet building codes. As we begin any attic remodeling project, we look at several key considerations.
The Possibilities
Work, rest or play. Attics can be anything you want them to be! Here are just a few ideas for your new upper level space.
- Office – More people work at home than ever before. It can be hard to find the perfect office environment, though. An attic literally puts you above all the other hubbub in the house.
- Bedroom – The attic can become the perfect refuge for homeowners – or family members searching for a little more privacy or space to get away from it all.
- Play and Hobby Rooms – Playrooms for children are a perfect fit for attic remodeling. They can also be peaceful craft rooms or art studios for the creative members of the family.
- Lofts and Vaulted Ceilings – Why not think out of the box? Instead of creating an enclosed living space, open your floorplan to a vaulted ceiling with tall, elegant windows – or a cozy loft space for a library, reading lounge or computer workspace.
Physical considerations
Attic projects bring special design considerations. As we develop your design, we’ll evaluate the following codes and design criteria to give you the perfect plan.
- The foundation must support the added weight of the floors and any added gables. Most building codes now require a floor to support 30 pounds per square inch.
- Ceiling height should be at least 7-8 feet. That can affect the amount of usable space under the roof. Depending on your space needs, we may need to raise the roof.
- Attic insulation that’s sufficient for keeping the rest of the house warm probably won’t be enough for the attic as a living space. That might mean increasing the depth of the joists.
- If you’re considering a bedroom, it will need to comply with egress codes – that typically require at least two exits—a doorway and usually a window. An attic bedroom requires both a window and a staircase to the level beneath. That can take away usable space from the lower levels of the home.
- Lighting and power should also be planned into the design. Adding windows will be essential and you can never have too many power outlets.
Whatever your vision, our design team can help you create the perfect attic remodel. Call us today to explore the space over your heads!