A guide to convert attic space to living space.
Attic to living space conversion.
April 7 2016 converting your attic into usable living space is a great way to maximize your home.
In addition to the money you might spend finishing your attic you may find.
Technical issues such as locating a safe staircase and the distribution of additional joists required to accommodate the new load bearing and stress factors.
While converting an attic into a living space can carry a hefty up front price tag the remodeling costs could end up being an investment that increases your home value.
With full home additions costing 75 000 minimum and usually far higher many homeowners search for creative ways to increase living space without overly decreasing their bank account.
One way is by working within the home s existing footprint and converting the attic into living space.
At least half of your attic space must be 7 feet high by 7 feet wide with a total of 70 square feet.
Regulated for a reason.
You ll need a skilled contractor for either project.
In order to turn your attic space into living space the ceilings must be 7 feet from the floor.
That means you ll need 2x10 floor joists or maybe 2x8 in rare circumstances and at least 2x12 roof rafters.
Once you convert attic space into living space you need to bring it up to the standards of modern building codes.
Codes vary from place to place but the rule of 7 for using an attic as an actual room typically applies.
If your attic isn t 7 feet you could lower the floor or raise the attic height.
When contemplating an attic renovation however it s important to have a few pieces of key information nailed down before you get started.
The national average cost for home remodelers to renovate an attic ranges from 15 000 to 85 000.
Converting an attic into a living space is a great method of adding another room to the house but it is not a job for the average diy person.
Converting an attic to a living area yields a modest return on your investment.
There are projects that you can build into your renovation to meet building code which qualifies your attic for conversion into a living space.
The first is your ceiling height.