There’s nothing like relaxing in a luxurious master bathroom after a stressful day. Unfortunately, many homeowners don’t have the space for this type of bathroom unless they sacrifice some other room in the house. Luckily, our remodeling contractors have found the perfect solution: the attic.
Yet remodeling your attic to function as a bathroom can be tricky. For one thing, some attic floors are not designed to handle a lot of foot traffic and added weight, and must be reinforced and supported sufficiently before a full bathtub is installed.
Our expert remodelers and designers at DreamMaker Bath & Kitchen of Reno have years of experience converting attics into fully functional bathrooms. Here are our best tips on how to get started on this challenging but rewarding project.
Attic Inspections & Building Codes
In most attics, walls are slanted on two or more sides of the room. This means some spots are going to be difficult to use. In addition, certain building codes might also prohibit heavy construction and live loads in attic spaces. A professional contracting company can provide you with an initial inspection to determine how feasible an attic bathroom project is, as well as help you obtain the right permits and code compliance requirements to carry it out if allowed.
Pipes & Plumbing
Adding a brand-new plumbing system to your attic space is perhaps the biggest and most expensive step in building an attic bathroom. You can alleviate some of the cost with a little foresight, however; plan for your plumbing fixtures to be placed directly above an existing bathroom or a kitchen. This will make it easier to extend the plumbing system to reach your brand-new attic bathroom.
Flooring Materials
Home remodeling projects are rarely limited by flooring choices, but attics are a different story. Choosing stone floors or any other heavy flooring material is a big no-no as it can add unnecessary weight to the joists and beams that hold up the attic. Stick with light materials like laminated hardwood or vinyl.
Maximizing the Space
Sloped walls might throw off some designers but, with a little creativity, you can actually use them to your advantage. Plan your layout to make them a focal point that adds depth and character to your overall design. Use windows and plenty of natural lighting to illuminate the area and make it appear bigger than it actually is.
Build the attic bathroom of your dreams with the help of our professional remodelers and designers at DreamMaker Bath & Kitchen of Reno. Give us a call at (775) 200-9232 or fill out our contact form to start a conversation today! We serve residents of Reno, Sparks, Spanish Springs and all neighboring cities.
