Attics are often just wasted space. Sure, they may be storing some unused holiday decorations, but it isn’t a place in our homes that we’re going to utilize every day. You may not have even gone up in your attic once this past year! However, with the help of a design-build company, it has the opportunity to become something special.
Think about what the addition of an attic bedroom could do for you. If your family is growing, you may already be testing the limits of the amount of livable space you have. That is where a home remodeling company in Austin comes in. We answer some of the questions you may be asking about the process of flipping your attic.
How much space do you have in your attic?
You have to follow modern building codes when performing a home remodeling in Austin. These codes apply to any room in your house. Space regulations are a big part of this. For attics that are only a crawlspace, they would be disqualified from being a candidate for a conversion. Older homes, in particular, often do not have the right size attic to execute this.
Be mindful of how much floor space you have and what the ceiling height is. If your ceiling is under 7 feet tall, a professional can actually increase it by building a dormer. This is a roofed structure that is set vertically to allow for more vertical space. You also benefit from more natural light because dormers come with a window. Make sure to consult with your contractor about whether this would compromise the look of your house.
What cost factors should you keep in mind?
Be ready to invest at least a couple of months into your remodeling. There is a lot that goes into it, from structural changes to flooring to proper ventilation. Also, be aware that taking on an attic conversion can be an expensive venture. You will have to pay a certain amount per square foot to transform it into a livable space. That said, this flip does boast one of the highest returns on investment in your home. This is because you are offering greater value in a—once again—often wasted space.
Conversations with your design-build contractor about what you expect out of this new bedroom are necessary. For instance, does the electrical wiring need complete updating? If that is the case, you will have to get permits specifically for that. A licensed electrician will fulfill code requirements as they install wiring through the ceiling and walls.
How do you go about designing an attic bedroom?
Expert home remodelers in Austin are capable of making your attic bedroom accessible. There are measurement requirements that must be followed for the stairs, specifically. That way you are able to enter and exit the space with ease. The requirements include 10-inch deep treads, 7.25-inch risers, and 6-feet-8-inches worth of headroom. Forget about those rickety pull-down stairs of the past! It is a good idea to carve out space in the attic and on the level beneath it for a permanent staircase.
Some attics were not built taking excess weight into consideration. Your flooring needs to be supportive if you are going to be walking around in your new bedroom and adding furniture. Regardless, it is a good rule of thumb to put your largest furniture along the edges of the room. That will give you more usable space in the center. Your design-build home remodeling team should take a look at the joist structure.
What do you need to consider about temperature?
Being comfortable in your attic bedroom is a must. That means interior design choices are just as important as structural work. Make sure that you install proper lighting, preferably being LED bulbs, which don’t generate heat. Understand that heat rises. With your attic being the highest room in the house, it is going to collect all of that heat, so you shouldn’t be creating even more. This is one of the most common complaints after a conversion. In considering that, don’t count out the necessity of an effective air conditioning unit.
Under-insulated homes don’t have a stable temperature across rooms. For that reason, home remodeling companies in Austin recommend replacing your old insulation. Doing so will actively save you money on your energy bills and give you better air quality. This is because proper insulation reduces airflow, meaning you won’t have to depend on the AC as much as you think you will.
Why is maintaining your attic bedroom important?
Your attic bedroom will collect dust and clutter in the same way that any other room in the house will. Ensuring that the space stays clean will be beneficial for your health and happiness. Because you no longer have a traditional attic as a storage unit, though, you may now have a lot of seasonal items with nowhere to put them. Or so you think. While you are filling your attic bedroom with what you need to live, you can optimize your storage in other parts of your house. Think built-in shelves, multi-functional furniture, and under-the-stairs closets.
Also, because you are closer to the roof, it’s important to keep an eye out for any issues that could arise from there. This could include any molding that comes with water damage. Having good insulation will prevent moisture from gradually eroding your walls. When crazy Texas freezes happen, you won’t have to deal with ice dams either.
The final question you may be asking: Who can I get to help convert my attic? For those in Cedar Park, Georgetown, and Great Hills, the answer is Bat City Builders! Our design-build team is prepared to flip your attic into the most comfortable living space you can imagine. We would love to hear from you about what your thoughts are about getting into a home remodeling project in Austin.
Photos, in order of appearance, by:
- Toa Heftiba on Unsplash
- Sema Martin on Unsplash
- Point3D Commercial Imaging on Unsplash