How to Convert Your Attic Into a Usable Space

An attic is one of the most unused parts of a house. It is often neglected and collects dust. However, there are some ways to make it useful.

Converting your attic into an additional living space will not only provide your house with more functionality, but it will also increase the value of your home. Before you convert your attic, there are a few things that you will need to consider.

What You Need to Know Before Converting Your Attic

To start off with, you will want to make sure that it is structurally sound and that it has enough headroom and space for you to remodel it.

Unfortunately, not every attic can be converted into a living space. When you have an old and cramped one, it is probably not worth the hassle and expense of building a new room in your house. On the other hand, if you have a newer or larger attic, then transforming it could be the most effective solution for making use of this otherwise wasted space.

Decide How Much It Might Cost

However, before you think of what you will do with the space, you must decide if you are willing to spend the time and money to make major renovations.

Your next step should be to figure out what kind of conversion project you intend to do and research how much the project may cost. Keep in mind that there are many ways in which you can transform your attic into something useful without having to spend a lot of time and money on an expensive remodeling job.

You can, for example, install roof insulation here. Your home will be more comfortable, and you will save money on heating and cooling costs. There will also be no condensation or ice dams forming under your roof.

How To Make the Most of Your Converted Attic Space

If you have concluded that your attic is structurally sound and that you would like to invest in remodeling it, then it can be used as a bedroom, guest room, library, den, or an office. However, no matter what kind of room you choose, make sure there is enough ventilation.

Conclusion

Before you convert your neglected attic into a room, find out if it is structurally sound, spacious, and properly ventilated. Then, calculate the cost of renovating it into a bedroom, office, or other type of room. If it turns out to be more expensive than expected, you can still make it useful by insulating it to improve the interior climate and reduce utility costs.

When Is It Time to Replace Your Home's Insulation?

When it comes to making your home as energy-efficient as possible, one factor you don’t want to forget about is your home’s insulation. Insulation prevents outside air from coming into your home, which helps to keep your HVAC system from working as hard to maintain temperatures. It’s not just your attics and walls that need insulation—crawl space insulation is just as important. Below are five signs that let you know when it’s time to replace insulation in your home.

Animal Infestation

Once pests take up residence in your attic or crawlspace, it’s hard to remove them. Not only do they leave feces and urine in the insulation, but they also use insulation to make their nests for their beds and for raising their offspring. If you’ve recently had to call pest control to get rid of rodents or other animals moving into your home, it’s a good idea to call an insulation company too. They can assess your home and let you know how much, if any, insulation will need to be replaced.

Higher Energy Bills

The most significant sign that you need to add or replace your insulation is that you have higher energy bills. If your power company hasn’t raised their rates and you’re not using more energy than usual, your power bills should remain fairly consistent. If you notice them rising quickly, call an electrician to help you figure out the source of the problem.

Outdated Materials

Older insulation, especially crawl space insulation, breaks down and loses thickness. However, that’s not the only problem that you face with insulation. Building codes change over time, which means that the thickness of the insulation your home has may no longer be in accordance with recent building code changes.

Unpleasant Odors

If your home has a lingering unpleasant odor that doesn’t seem to have a source, the problem might be with your insulation. Not every type of insulation is waterproof, and fiberglass insulation absorbs water. As for your crawl space insulation, melted snow and humidity impact your insulation leading to mold and mildew growth.

Water Damage

If you notice puddles on your floor or wet spots on your ceiling, these are a couple of signs that you have a leak. Not only do leaks lead to water damage that causes the wood structure of your home to rot, but water damages your insulation as well. Additionally, insufficient and ineffective insulation indirectly causes water damage. One example would be if your pipes aren’t adequately insulated and burst during the middle of winter.

Unless the insulation in your home becomes damaged, it should last anywhere between 80 and 100 years. Even if you believe that you don’t have a problem with your insulation, a home energy assessment is a great way to find areas of improvement. Contact your local insulation company today and prepare to be surprised at how much money you save when your home becomes as energy-efficient as possible.

All You Need To Understand About Attic Access Doors

It is now a typical feature for most residential or commercial buildings to have attics. Having one poses some challenges to temperature control because heat and the moisture that comes along with it travels upward. If you don't know how to seal the attic space, it may cause some difficulties, but it will also be challenging if it doesn't have access for maintenance and other purposes.

Due to this need for access and temperature control, most of the buildings you see today have ceiling and attic access doors and panels that function as separators for the roof spaces and below. It prevents heat loss and moisture buildup in the upper areas. However, some residential or commercial people still don't have attics, ignoring the heat loss and air leaks these areas may give.

Furthermore, when attic hatches are not adequately insulated or maintained, they might influence the proper general operation of the structure and space. An attic hatch is commonly found in walk-in closets or corridors, although it serves the same purpose of providing access to attic space regardless of its location.

These are the things you need to understand about these installations:

Types of Attic Access Doors

There are several types of attic access doors that you can find. Here are the ones you should know about:

#1. Spring-loaded attic access door: You can find the pull-down stair type typically provided in some structures. Due to its spring-loaded design, you can quickly push out the steps by pushing it up and pulling a neighboring rope. These steps are primarily out of wood or metal and folded in and out for convenience. Although this style of attic access door resembles a standard attic hatch, it is more practical due to the built-in ladder.

#2. Knee-wall attic access door: A knee-wall attic access door is another option for getting into the attic. Instead of being a ceiling mount, this door style usually is at mid-height setting mounted on a short, vertical wall. These attic access doors are typically in a tiny room on the top level of the building and utilized as a loft, storage area, or even a bedroom. The ceiling in this space is usually slanted.

#3. Simple attic hatch: A scuttle hole is another name for this type of attic access door, which is exceptionally prevalent in residences. The most popular and extensively utilized attic entrance by homeowners is a primary attic hatch. It is a detachable portion of the ceiling that is often rectangular or square. The homeowner would quickly push up on this ceiling cut-out and shift it to the side to access the attic. The primary attic also comes with a ladder. You will need it to enter the space after the access door is open and out of the way.

Security and Insulation

One consideration for attic access doors is the quantity of insulating material. It makes little difference what door is in the attic; with no insulation, many buildings lose heat through the gap. As a result, it is advisable to have some insulation, such as weather stripping and foam board. It's also worth remembering that the process for installing such insulation aids varies based on the door type.

When considering an attic access door, another factor that you may want to ponder is the amount of security. Fortunately, you may fit every type of attic door with a homeowner or building owner lock. It is suitable for entries on the outside walls of both commercial buildings and residences. It's also crucial to understand door possibilities to select the best attic access door and make the most of what an attic offers.

Maintenance

Aside from purchasing the appropriate attic hatch, it is also critical for its installation to be correct. When warm air goes through a vent, and an access door or panel does not have proper installation, it can result in condensation. It's also essential to check for drafts and ensure no mildew, unpleasant dampness, or pest infestation once the attic access door installation is complete.

Given the location of the attic, regular upkeep is incredibly essential. Infestations from pests and molds may impact the attic since it is difficult to reach and where people rarely visit, which is true in commercial or residential property. It is the reason why regularly maintaining attic access panels is critical.

Purchasing the Access Door that Fits You

When choosing an attic access door, there are so many possibilities that it might be overwhelming. Remember that a decent attic hatch will have a weatherstrip around the outside to provide adequate insulation. It reduces any heat loss from the interior while also preventing any air from entering.

If you select an attic access door, it is essential to collect accurate dimensions and consider other external factors, such as maintaining the proper temperatures within the attic and in the surrounding area. One approach to help with this issue is to have sufficient ventilation and roofing insulation.

Mold and mildew may grow in an attic lacking sufficient ventilation, insulation, or even a proper hatch. If the infestation gets serious, buying the wrong attic access door or failing to maintain the attic may significantly influence the area and potentially one's health.

Never underestimate the value of quality advice coming from a licensed professional. If you need an access door for your building, always consider getting solid counsel from someone reputable with a proven track record. Remember what a suitable access door and panel can do to your building space.

6 Questions to Ask When Rebuilding Your Attic

If you’re looking for extra space in your house for yourself or even for guests, your attic might be the perfect place to build one. You can transform your dusty old attic into a leisure room, office, or even an extra bedroom. Completing your attic can increase the value of your home as it can add more space and utility. However, without proper planning and adherence to local building codes, it can result in a reduction in the value of your home.

It is better to convert an unlivable space to something you can live in than building an addition to your home because it can cost you more. But before calling your local contractor for the renovation project, check your attic first if rebuilding can be possible. Here are some questions you can follow. 

1. Do You Have Rafters?

To determine if your attic is convertible, check if your attic has rafters or trusses. Rafters are large internal beams that produce a triangular structure with the floor at the bottom and the roof peak at the top. The inner part of the triangle provides an opening that a professional can easily remodel. Although similar to rafters, trusses are a network of W-shaped boards that support the roof. 

If your attic does not have a central opening, then it has to be created. A DIYer should never do this part of the job because the trusses are load-bearing, and doing it on your own might destroy the quality of your roof. A structural engineer will determine how to support the weight while altering the trusses. In all honesty, converting an attic with trusses may not be practical due to the costs involved.

2. Is There a Staircase?

You might want one built if you don’t have a staircase leading to your attic with the ceiling and attic access doors and panels. Building codes will not authorize a permanent living area without a staircase. Stairs aren’t challenging to make, but they can take up a large amount of space. Straight stairs can take up to 10 to 14 flat feet of floor space, while spiral stairs can take about 5 feet. Think thoroughly about where you might want the stairs and what you can do to work around the area. Here are the code requirements in building a staircase;

• It must have a minimum of 6 feet 8 inches of headroom.

• The Stairs should be at least 36 inches wide.

• Treads must be 10 inches deep. 

• Risers should be seven ¼ inches high.

3. Is there Enough Headspace?

Your attic must have enough headspace for you to be able to achieve your desired living area. Building codes may vary based on your location, but most require at least a 7-foot clearance. You’ll have to raise the roof if you don’t have enough space, which will add to your construction cost. Furthermore, the living space area must measure at least 70-square feet with a minimum of 7 feet in width. 

4. Is the Floor Sturdy?  

You should check if your floor is strong enough to accommodate people. The contractors probably built your attic for dead loads such as boxes and trunks that don’t move. Most building codes will require you a load capacity of 30 pounds per square foot. You can contact your local structural engineer or any other professional for assistance.  

5. How is the lighting?  

Typically, attics don’t have the sufficient lighting you need, and some building codes may require a certain amount of illumination. If your attic does not meet your needs, you can contact your dormer. They will be responsible for raising the roof height of your attic to attain more natural lighting and headroom and provide a secondary exit for safety. You can check your local building codes for more information. 

6. Can You Heat It? 

The temperature may differ in every room of your house, especially in your attic, so you might want to install additional insulation to keep the space warm. In addition, you might like to extend electrical lines, plumbing, and HVAC systems. Check your building codes for the required optimum temperature. Usually, the heating system must be capable of keeping the attic temperature at least 68 degrees. If you need any reinforcement on this matter, consult a professional. 

Everybody wants a particular room to maximize their privacy and provide a space for guests or leisure. Before you invest in renovating your attic, make sure you conduct a thorough check-up on the necessary building codes and the quality and stability of your attic. With this, you are securing your safety and as well as the state of your home. Be sure to hire a professional when dealing with this project to avoid unwanted accidents and mishaps.