Historical March 1994 article. Dates, prices, services and contacts describe the source period; current availability has not been established.
There are many possible reasons for needing more living space: additions to the family; ever increasing home office needs; a changing lifestyle; or just the desire to organize the “junk”. Very often, expanding the livable area of the house you live in can prove more cost effective than buying a larger home.
However, the expansion needs to be well thought out, with a clear understanding of what the end result will be. Otherwise you may merely be transforming your attic or basement from a low cost into high-cost unlivable, wasted space. This, the first of a series of three articles on this subject, I will devote to attic conversions.
A short inspection tour of your attic can help you decide if the idea of converting your attic into living space is worth pursuing. 1. STRUCTURE: Does your attic look like a ‘spider web of triangles’? Attic conversion is not likely to be economical with truss roofs. 2. ROOM SIZE: Does half your attic floor space have at least 7’6″ of clearance? Headroom can be increased by using dormers or gables, but the cost starts to increase quickly. Are the floor joists sufficiently strong to hold up the load you will be adding? Anything less than 2×8’s 16″ on center will probably need to be reinforced. Also, sleeping rooms require at least 8 sq. ft of window or 8% of floor space, whichever is greater. 3. SYSTEMS: Can water supply, sewer and vent lines be easily tied to the existing plumbing system? Does your breaker box have empty slots for additional circuits? Can new electric lines be easily run to the attic? Can you possibly use your existing heating and cooling system for the new space? 4. ROOF FRAMING AND INSULATION: Are rafters sufficiently deep to accommodate the necessary insulation? Normally the attic provides a barrier between the living areas of the house and the harsh heat of the summer sun or the icy bitterness of winter winds.
This barrier must be maintained in a renovated attic–only in a much smaller space.
For comfort, an adequate amount of insulation is necessary. Equally important is the installation.
A vapor barrier must be installed on the living area side. Ventilation between the insulation and the roof decking must be provided to move hot air up and out of the house and to prevent condensation. 5. ACCESS: Is there a staircase to the attic?
If not, is there a convenient route to put one in? Normal requirements are 3’x10’ for a straight staircase. Going through this short inspection tour can give a reasonable idea of the level of difficulty, and thereby cost, of converting your attic into livable space.
Originally published in The Times of Skinker-DeBaliviere, March 1994.
Read this article in the original newspaper issue.
Original source: SD_Times1994_03.pdf, printed page(s) 7; PDF page(s) 7.
