Attics Offer Opportunity for Usable Living Space

By Jeff Billstrom

Homeowners who have a Cape Cod or story-and-a-half residence typically have underutilized space in their attic.  Often, when the decision is made to convert the attic, a master suite is the desired outcome.  But conversion attics also make ideal spaces for a kids’ playroom, home office, craft room, or home theater.

Converting an attic is more than just drywall and insulation.  Mechanicals – heat, warm air and cold air, as well as any plumbing if a bath is to be added – need to be routed.  Often it’s not difficult to do, just a consideration when planning for a conversion.  When running ducts and piping, we look for spaces, such as closets on the first floor, which we can utilize strategically to minimize disruption.

Usually the first thing I look for when visiting a home is access to the attic.  Some homes already have usable stairways to their attic while others may have the pull-down steps or maybe nothing at all.  There are some options for constructing stairways.  One is using the space where the basement stairs are.  We can design steps that directly mirror those going into the basement, only up the opposite direction, thereby not wasting square footage on the first floor by putting another stairwell in.

The other thing to consider is making sure windows are sized properly.  There are codes for a percentage of natural light into the living space.  We can make an existing window larger, add a dormer or skylight.  If there is a flat roof adjacent, we can create a walk-out onto that roof.  The other important thing with an attic conversion is making sure there is egress – another means of exiting the area.  This too can be accomplished via flat roof walkout, or a skylight.  As mentioned in a previous blog, skylights come in two styles, a roof window and a balcony roof window.  A roof window has a 45-degree opening angle for maximum ventilation.  A balcony roof window allows the window to open out to create a small balcony.  Plus it can also be used as an emergency exit.

Before we can drywall, we need to insulate.  Usually we are installing drywall on rafter surfaces, which are part of the roofing system.  Typically, those aren’t deep enough or large enough to accommodate fiberglass insulation to meet code, so we use spray foam, which allows us to finish the space without changing that rafter system.

An attic conversion makes good sense economically because the structure is already there.  You are not having to put a foundation in, you are not having to put a new roof over it; it’s just a matter of converting it to a livable space, and making sure that it is conforming to code.

When you are thinking that you have outgrown your home, consider the attic for livable space.  We will be glad to come to your home and explain how it can work for you!