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only may those old dusty boxes contain long- deceased Uncle Harry’s
hidden fortune, the space around them may be a gem of cost-effective
home expansion.
Is the attic worth converting?
Structure
Does your attic look like a "spider web" of triangles?
Attic conversion is not likely to be economical with such "trussed
systems."
Room Size
Does half your attic floor spaces have at least 7’6"
clearance? Collar ties (horizontal beams) can often be raised for
more headroom. If that is insufficient, you may increase headroom
by using dormers or gables.
Are you counting on rooms greater than the minimum bedroom size,
7’ wide in one direction with 70 sq. ft. total? Ceiling areas
below 5’ high are not counted.
Ventilation/Light/Air
Can every sleeping room have at least 8 sq. ft. of window or 8%
of the area, whichever is greater?
Are there possibilities for fire code required "second exits?"
Roof windows or skylights may not qualify.
Floor Support
Are the girders and joists sufficiently strong and well supported
to hold up the load you will be adding? Anything less than 2x8’s
set 16" on center will probably need reinforcement.
Roof Framing
Are rafters sufficiently deep to accommodate the necessary insulation,
with room for ventilation between insulation and the roof deck?
Plumbing / Heating / Electrical
Are systems of water supply and waste disposal adequate to handle
additional demands?
Access
Is there a convenient route for a stairway to the attic? Consider
both down stairs and upstairs space! Normal requirements are 3’
x 10’ for a straight staircase.
Making Attic Living Comfortable
Without considering comfort during an attic renovation, you may
merely be transforming your attic from a low-cost into high-cost
unlivable, wasted space.
Normally, the unfinished attic provides a barrier between the living
areas of a house and the merciless heat of a hot sun or the raw
penetration of chilling winds. This barrier must be maintained in
a renovated attic.
For comfort, an adequate amount of insulation in necessary. Don’t
skimp on the amounts recommended by the Department of Energy. Not
only will you conserve energy, but your new rooms will be better
able to maintain an even, comfortable temperature.
Equally important is the proper installation of the insulation.
A vapor barrier on the living area side of the insulation must be
installed to prevent the absorption of moisture from the room. Ventilation
through adequate air channels between the insulation and the roof
decking must be provided to prevent condensation of water from outside
on the insulation and to move hot air up and out of the house. Properly
installed, insulation will maintain its effectiveness for many years.
Heating and cooling systems are sized to meet the needs at the time
they are installed. Frequently adding attic living space demands
additional heating or cooling capabilities.
A suggestion at this point is to add "zoned climate control,"
where the attic environment is maintained by an entirely separate
system. Not only does this provide the opportunity to use new, energy
efficient units, but the climate can also be maintained to meet
the needs or tastes of the individuals using the attic. Separate
systems also provide a life-saving back-up if the other system were
to fail during excessively hot or cold weather.
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