Can Your Unfinished Attic Be Turned Into a Living Space?

Attic conversions are a great way to expand the living space in your home, but keep in mind not all attics can be converted into a bedroom or a home office. If you’re considering calling home remodeling contractors to turn an unfinished attic into a living space, you’ll need to make sure it meets these minimum requirements.

Minimum Space Requirements

In general, your attic should have a minimum floor space of 70 square feet and must stretch at least seven feet in any direction. At least half of the usable floor should have a ceiling height of at least 7.5 feet.

Project Planning Tip: Your roof’s framing can give you an idea of whether there’s enough space in your attic. Conventional trusses or roof support zigzag through the attic and take up valuable space, so attics under a roof with conventional trusses probably don’t have enough space. If your roof has attic trusses—which don’t require webbing or structural support that takes up valuable attic space—it most likely meets the minimum space requirements.

Sufficient Structural Support

A finished attic adds a lot more weight to a structure than an empty attic, which is why an interior remodeling contractor needs to inspect your attic’s floor support. Most homes need to have their attic’s floor joists reinforced since they’re either too shallow or spread too far apart.

Emergency Exits

For safety reasons, a finished attic must have windows that can be used as emergency exits. Keep in mind local building codes vary depending on your area, so it’s best to consult your local interior remodeling contractor before planning an attic conversion.

Making the Most of an Attic Conversion

Aside from the basic requirements, you also need to think about the features that can improve the quality of living and help maximize your return on investment, as well as how to maximize limited attic space. Here are some tips to help you come up with a design that meets your needs:

Use light colors. Light colors reflect natural light to help make your attic feel more spacious. Painting the ceilings with the same light color as the walls will help draw more attention to the height of the attic.
Install built-in shelving. Small, narrow shelves filled with your favorite books can help add a homey feel to a finished attic and keep it organized.

For more tips on optimizing your attic space, consult the interior remodelers at DreamMaker Bath & Kitchen of Huntsville.

Let’s Start a Conversation!

DreamMaker Bath & Kitchen of Huntsville offers a wide range of professional home renovations. To get started with a no-obligation consultation, call us at (256) 203-9451 or fill out this form. We also offer the DreamMaker Virtual Modified Process for your safety and convenience. We serve homeowners in Huntsville, Madison and New Hope, as well as the surrounding communities.

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