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Judi Light Hopson

Judi Light Hopson is a national columnist for McClatchy Newspapers. She is founder of Hopson Global Education and Training and co-author of the college textbook, Burnout to Balance: EMS Stress. She holds a degree in psychology from East Tennessee State University, and has been a professional writer for 25 years.

Attic space yields significant room for storage or living areas. The areas under a sloping roof makes a perfect place for tucking away shelves for toys or Christmas decorations, for example. You can build a bedroom, playroom or small in-law apartment in the attic as well. Dormers and skylights can add to the beauty of the space, too, increasing light and lending a sense of greater space. Because the attic is already enclosed, it's easier to work on the project as you find the time and money.

Evaluate the exact placement of attic access stairs. Measure the attic space in detail, so you can make sure anyone walking up the stairs will have sufficient overhead room. Draw the attic room or rooms in basic sketches. Figure their dimensions around the staircase opening.

Plan the route for any plumbing and all electricity. Look at a bathroom on the floor under the attic to see if you can extend water pipes to an attic bath above it. Try to connect new drain lines into what's already in place in the bathroom underneath. Check out the best way to route electrical wiring into the attic for light fixtures and outlets.

Repair any roof leaks and take care of maintenance issues. Take care of replacing shingles, caulking around attic windows and replacing any window glass before attic construction begins. Look for any evidence of birds or rodents living in the attic, too. Call a pest-control company to manage these issues if there is a problem.

Build the access stairs and add a subfloor. Cut the opening for the attic stairs by driving a long nail down beside the rafter where the cut is needed. Drive four nails from the attic side downward into the room or hallway below, so you can mark the attic opening outline before removing flooring material. Construct a set of stairs to enable taking building materials into the attic and nail down subflooring, so you can walk about in the attic.

Install framing for the rooms to enclose the space. Use 2-by-4-inch boards to enclose one or more rooms and closet space. Secure the vertical studs on 16-inch centers and create openings for doorways and closet doors as you frame each room.

Route electrical wiring and plumbing while walls are open. Run wiring through the open studs to where you want electrical outlets and light fixtures. Install water pipes and drain lines while walls are uncovered, too, for a bath.

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DIY: Attic Remodeling | eHow

Mood and atmosphere are very subjective and have an effect on how we feel. If we have had a hectic day in a brightly lit office, coming home to a softly lit environment can have a very calming effect, helping us to relax and reducing stress. If the lighting is more dramatic, creating positive areas of brightness and darkness, a dynamic atmosphere is created.

While creating a mood with lighting the right levels of contrast are the means to success, achieved by controlling each light individually. The wonder of light is its ability to transform a space, literally with a touch of the button. This is something that interior decoration can never do on its own. By focusing on what is to be seen, light can screen out what is not, by leaving this areas in darkness.

An attic is often forgotten during the day, yet it is often can be a source of pleasure during the night. On scented summer evenings, even the smallest attic can be transform into a magical romantic room, while on winter nights if the attic is lit, it will provide warmth and coziness inside, enhancing a felling of relaxation. With a well-designed scheme, a small attic can be enjoyed whatever the time of day and whatever the season.

All you need to create a restful refuge is comfortable seating, a good book, and the right lighting. You don't need a lot of space. smaller is often better. This is your private world of retreat, and you can always improve the look and feel of it with the simplest details regardless of particular taste and style.

A ledge can display a collection of spun-glass bottles from Murano, Italy. A small tray can hold a few perfume bottles of different shapes and sizes. Lighting can emphasize depth of glass color. Colored glass bottles (shown on the picture of the attic above), thrown into silhouette, from an effective frieze on a ledge when lit from behind by linear light source, such as LED lights or rope lights. Located behind the objects and along the base of the ledge, it lights the wall more strongly than the objects, which emphasizes the curved outlines of the jars to dramatic effect.

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Attic Remodeling - cozy attic and extra bedroom

An attic bedroom can become the extra room under your roof that hosts teenagers, guests, or even the masters of the house. An attic bedroom remodel is a good way to add space without adding on, which would be a much bigger investment of time and money.

Attic bedroom investment

Attics are penny-wise candidates for remodeling projects because the basic structurea roof and flooralready exist. Although the pitch of the roof usually dictates sloping interior walls and restricted headroom, people often find these quirky characteristics charming and desirable.

According to Remodeling magazines annual Cost vs. Value Report, a midrange attic bedroom remodel costs $47,919 and returns more than 72.9% of the investment, based on national averages.

Attic bedroom requirements

An attic bedroom has special requirements:

The cost of these projects, plus standard costs for installing heating and cooling systems, finishing surfaces, and adding a bathroom, is about $192/sq. ft.

The return on your investment in an attic remodel varies by region. In the Pacific area of the country, including Oregon and Hawaii, the return on investment is almost 89%. In the west-north-central states, such as Iowa and Kansas, the return on an attic remodel is about 62%.

National average cost, 15x15 ft. attic remodel, with 5x7 ft. bath:

Job Cost: $47,919 Resale Value: $34,916 Cost recoup: 72.9%

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Attic Bedroom Remodel Value | Attic Bedroom Remodel ROI ...

An unfinished attic with plenty of headroom is an irresistable remodeling project for an enthusiastic remodeler or DIYer. It's an unclaimed space, full of architectural potential. But remodeling an attic can be tricky because its floor joists may not be up to modern rigidity standards, those appealing rafter ceilings may have low-slung collar ties that block all that apparent headroom, and the roof rafters may not have sufficient depth to accommodate the necessary insulation.

Stiffening Spongy Floors Existing attic floor joists may not be stiff enough to meet current codes for a bedroom. If you have enough headroom to double-up attic floor joists with 2x10s or 2x12s, youre lucky most of the time, old attics have 2x6 or 2x8 floor joists at best, and the joists typically have a notch cut out at the ends to accommodate the sloping rafter ceilings, which makes it impossible to insert deeper members. An obvious idea is to double up the existing joists by sistering (or scabbing) another 2x6 or 2x8 alongside the existing joists, but that wont solve the problem. Floor stiffness is a matter of joist depth, not width a double 2x8 sandwich will not resemble the stiffness of a single 2x10.

The solution to stiffening up a floor requires a combination of adding midbay joists, laminating the subfloor and possibly adding girders. Although sistering joists wont add much stiffness, reducing the joist spacing by adding new joists between the existing ones will. If you consult a joist/rafter span table (available at most lumberyards and in every building code book), you will find the maximum distance that your existing attic joists can span to meet current code as bedroom floors. (Note that bedroom floors have lower stiffness requirements than living room floors: 30 pounds per square foot (psf) for bedrooms vs. 40 psf for other living areas.) You may find that adding another joist between each pair will create enough stiffness to comply with codes: For example, 2x6s spaced 12 in. OC are equivalent to 2x8 joists spaced 16 in. OC. Even if the added joists alone are not sufficient, they may be part of a two- or three-pronged solution.

You can further stiffen the floor by adding a thick layer of subfloor, such as 3/4-in. tongue-and-groove plywood (which is lighter and stiffer than oriented-strand board) glued and screwed to the joists. I know one builder who laminates two layers of subfloor perpendicular to each other to strengthen attic floors without adding new joists. However, a structurally sound floor can still feel bouncy, and floor-joist codes are based on minimum prescribed stiffness, not just holding up the weight of people, furniture and walls.

The final weapon in the floor-stiffening arsenal is to add a beam, but not necessarily under the floor joists because that may interfere with the ceiling below. Instead, you can add a beam (or girder) on top of the joists (illustration below). This solution works best when it coincides with a wall location that can hide the beam otherwise youll trip over it. Heres how it works: Set an adequate-size beam probably a 4x10 near the midspan of the floor, where you may be building a wall anyway. Fasten the beam to the joists below using framing straps or oversize joist hangers. The beam will distribute the load across all of the joists to enhance stiffness without compromising headroom.

Sometimes youll have to transfer this load down to a bearing wall below or to the foundation by means of posts or vertical supports. An experienced carpenter with a code book in hand or a creative structural engineer can usually resolve even the surliest floor-reinforcement situations, so dont worry too much about the solution, just know that solutions exist.

Remedies for Headroom Headaches Collar ties keep the weight of the roof from spreading the exterior walls of your home. Floor joists running parallel to the roof rafters serve the same purpose, so you may be able to remove existing low-slung collar ties entirely. But you should consult with a building official or structural engineer to make sure this solution is adequate for handling snow loads, wind and other roof stressors. If youre going to install a flat portion at the apex of your attic ceiling (as seen in the photo), you can replace the existing collar ties with short ceiling joists attached to your existing rafters using plywood gussets firmly glued and screwed to both sides of the joists and rafters, essentially using your new attic ceiling as a replacement for the old collar ties you removed.

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Attic Remodeling: Floor and Ceiling Tips - Handyman Club

Quickly outgrowing your home and need more space for a bedroom or a home office? Often, your home may be hiding the perfect space to carve out new rooms. Take your attic, for example. Many homes have sufficient ceiling height, a proper stairway and conventional roof rafters. This means converting the attic into a livable room is not only a great way to expand space, but may be possible at a reasonable remodeling cost, depending on a the final design.

As a basic rule of thumb for attic remodeling, features that minimize remodeling costs include:

These three features will allow you to remodel your attic in a cost-effective way. Insulation, drywall, electrical outlets, lighting, carpet and paint, along with a simple heating and cooling system are all you need to make your attic livable. Space reconfiguration like an attic conversion can be extremely beneficial and more economical than building an addition!

No matter the type of attic conversion, it's a smart way to add usable space to your home. Here are some other important points to consider when thinking about converting that dingy attic space into a beautiful bedroom or functional home office.

A New Stairway in the Chippendale Style Adds Architectural Interest to this Attic Conversion

If your home does not have a proper stair to the attic, you'll need to install one. This is a complicated process both in terms of structural floor framing and the use of space. The most efficient way to install a staircase is to place the new stair over the top of the existing stair. If placing the stair over the top of the existing stair does not fit in your home, find a location that minimizes the amount of space it takes from existing rooms. A typical house requires about ten linear feet of space for a stair. Stair dimensions are critically important so be sure to have your architect figure out the floor-to-floor dimensions along with proper risers and treads so it's safe and meets code. Avoid pie shaped treads (winders) whenever possible because they may not meet local building codes.

As for ceiling height, make sure yours meets the legal minimum; this prevents problems with current building codes and bumping your head! Also install proper handrails at the new stair and at the new stairwell opening your design-build team should specify guard rails as per code. You want your new living space to be not only aesthetically pleasing but safe and fully functional as well.

Shed dormers are a great way to increase the usable floor area of an existing attic and potentially add ceiling height. Shed dormers are typically built at the rear side of a home with a gable or hip roof so as not to harm the curb appeal of the home's faade. Shed dormers can be any width but are typically constructed the full length of the house from side to side to maximize usable space. Occasionally a small shed dormer (6 feet wide or so) will be built to accommodate head room at the top of a stair or an attic bathroom. Shed dormers are typically sloped down toward the back wall of the house, but the shed roof could be pitched up toward the window wall to achieve greater head room within the dormer.

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Attic Remodeling & Conversion | Maryland (MD), Washington, DC ...

Attic and Dormer remodeling is a great way to utilize wasted space in the attic or dormer areas of your home, not typically used by homeowners. Whether youre finishing or remodeling your attic or dormer, it is a great way to increase the value of your home. The unused attic space can be used for an additional bathroom, recreation area, home office space or your own specific desired type of living space. Grand Rapids Remodeling Company, Huffman Homes, specializes in dormer and attic remodeling and finishing, which increases the value and function of your home.

Many people are finding that there are numerous benefits to remodeling their attics or dormers and making use of the space that is provided. This has brought on a rash of new home improvement projects where people are using the wasted space in the attics and dormers to a new and valuable living space. The undertaking should be done by professional remodelers and can be a bit daunting to say the least, but the finished product is normally something to be very proud of. Of course there are a good many decisions that must be made when one wants to remodel the attic space that they have. The least of which is what exactly you are planning on using the space for and exactly how far you wish to go with the entire project.

For more information about our Grand Rapids remodeling company or to set an appointment for a free estimate and consultation, please contact us here.

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Grand Rapids Attic Remodeling | Dormers | Attic Finishing ...

Before it can be finished, your attic must pass some important tests for structural adequacy and comfort. Here's what to look for.

Grab a flashlight and take a peek up there. If you see a network of W-shape trusses supporting your roof, forget about it. You could probably build an addition more cost-effectively than remodel this type of attic. If, however, you find rafters that form an A shape to support the roof -- with open space underneath the rafters -- you've got a potential remodeling candidate.

Figure out how you're going to get up and down from the finished attic space. Enlarging an existing stairway or adding a new one will affect spaces below. A straight-run stair will chew up 10 to 14 feet of floor space; a stair designed with an intermediate landing and two runs needs about 8 feet on the lower level. Spiral staircases take up only about 5 feet.

Most building codes require that a living space be at least 7-1/2 feet high over 50 percent of the floor area. (Consult your local codes for specifics.) Keep in mind the thickness of finishing materials when you calculate headroom.

You may need to add windows or skylights. If you plan to use the attic as a bedroom, many codes require egress through a window in case of fire.

These small additions that raise the roof over a portion of the attic will boost usable space and create the feeling of living in the treetops.

Consult a heating and air-conditioning contractor to evaluate the cost of routing (or rerouting) ducts. You'll also need to insulate.

If you have 2x4s, you'll need to reinforce them to carry the new load of people and furnishings.

If your attic plans include a bathroom, try to locate it above a bathroom on the floor below to reduce costs and avoid the need to cut a hole in the room for a new vent stack.

Vent stacks and brick chimneys can be hidden behind walls and cabinets. Modern furnaces don't need to vent through a chimney, so if an existing chimney doesn't vent a fireplace or water heater, it might be removable.

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Is Your Attic Worth Remodeling? - Better Homes and Gardens

Frequently Asked Questions:

Q: What use is best for a finished attic.

A: Best depends on you and your needs. The easiest is for storage. Finishing your attic so it is better suited for storage is one of the easiest uses for the attic space. If you want to invest a bit more then creating a library, office or family room in the attic space is the next step up. Once you decide to create living space out of your attic then access becomes a major concern. If it is only used occasionally or by agile people who dont mind them, a spiral staircase is a good solution. If you want access to be easier for everyone then a full staircase is a good solution but they are relatively expensive to build and take up a substantial amount of floor space in your home on 2 floors.

Q: Can i put a bedroom in my finished attic?

A: Yes, a bedroom and even a bathroom are great additions to your home if you are thinking about finishing your attic. Bedrooms in attics have special design requirements for access staircase as well as another means of exiting the bedroom in an emergency typically a window but could also be a second staircase. Bedrooms also, typically, need better insulation and ventilation than if the space is used for an office or storage since we all are usually able to put with heat or cold during the day but at night, when we are sleeping we all get a bit demanding on temperature and ventilation.

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Attic Renovation, Redesign & Remodeling | remodelmove

home section Interior Design Housekeeping Entertaining Home Improvement Gardening & Plants Landscaping eHow Home & Garden Building & Remodeling Interior Remodeling How to Remodel an Attic

eHow Home & Garden Editor

This article was created by a professional writer and edited by experienced copy editors, both qualified members of the Demand Media Studios community. All articles go through an editorial process that includes subject matter guidelines, plagiarism review, fact-checking, and other steps in an effort to provide reliable information.

Most everyone would love to add space to their home. A great way to do that is to remodel the attic. Depending on how big your attic is, remodeling can add at least a room or two. As long as you have storage space elsewhere, you can remodel your attic to increase your living space.

Run wires and install outlets and light switches while the walls of the attic are still open. If necessary, hire an electrical contractor to complete this work.

Lay down a plywood subfloor over the floor joists, if a floor doesn't already exist. Joists may need strengthening to support the additional living space.

Install kneewalls and frame rooms. Insulate between the studs of the kneewall and the roof rafters. If necessary, raise the collar ties to increase the ceiling height.

Add heating system of your choice. If using forced hot air or a central air conditioning system, install duct work while walls are still open.

Finish the room with wallboard on the walls and ceilings. Lay the flooring of your choice. Make final electrical connections.

Spackle and paint the walls. Hang doors and install door and window trim.

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How to Remodel an Attic | eHow

Attic remodeling can give you an extra bedroom, office, playroom or living space, if you have the roof space for attic renovations. Attic conversion can be a great way to create one or more rooms. Attic conversions can be lower cost, as you don't have the expense of a roof, exterior walls or foundation that would be incurred with a traditional addition or second storey.

Before you start, however, you need to determine if your attic is suitable for converting and create a plan for your attic remodeling ideas. Make sure the flooring or joists are strong enough for you to stand on for your inspection.

Ceiling First, check the ceiling height. Can you stand up, or do you bump into the ceiling? Building codes require ceilings to be a particular height (typically 7 feet 6 inches over at least half of the available floor space). You need to be able to stand up straight without crouching in the room. If the height is a little low, you may be able to raise the roof or build a dormer as part of your attic remodeling, but this will add cost to the project of course. The distance from the roof ridge to the floor joists needs to be at least nine feet, or you probably won't meet building code requirements unless you add a dormer.

When planning your attic remodeling, you also need to consider the gable slopes, as this will determine what you can place in the room and where you can put it. A dormer could help, however, as already pointed out, this would add cost to the project.

Traditional stick-framed roofs are made of rafters that run from the ridge to the walls. This style of framing provides the most open space in attic conversions. Truss roofs, which feature in newer homes, limit your options to use the attic. Trusses cannot be cut.

If the ceiling height is too low and there are trusses, you may only be able to use the attic for storage, rather than a room.

Stains on the ceilings beneath the attic usually indicate a roof leak. You will need to fix this early in your attic remodeling.

Floor The attic floor is the ceiling of the room underneath. Ceiling joists need to be strong enough for you to move around the attic and to hold furniture. You need to check whether they are strong enough to hold the weight of numerous people, furniture and stored items. Frames can be reinforced with extra joists, if necessary. They can then be covered with flooring - be sure the material you use will support your weight and any furniture you plan to place in the attic.

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Attic Remodeling, Attic Remodeling Ideas, Attic Conversions