As a homeowner, you might always be looking for more ways to improve your home. Maybe you want to increase the value of your home, or you might simply want to a nicer place to live. In any case, you’d do well to pay attention to your attic space. Whether you want to convert your attic into another room, or simply improve the space up there, you should consider the following reasons to renovate your attic.
- Save Money
First things first, getting your attic checked out is a great way to save money on household bills. Even if you don’t want much changing in your attic, you should at least have a professional go up there periodically to check your attic for any needed repairs.
One of the primary reasons for this is your attic insulation. Without good insulation, your home’s HVAC unit has to work harder to maintain a comfortable temperature. This comes with a cost, as it draws more electricity and will likely need maintenance more often. On the other hand, insulation will keep the cold out in winter and the heat out in summer, without incurring energy costs.
- Create an Extra Room
Attic conversions are one of the most popular ways to improve the attic and for good reason. Attic space is often wasted, but an extra bedroom or living space always comes in handy. These projects typically result in attractive and unique rooms, which the kids will likely fight over. Even better, an extra bedroom can add a great deal of value to your home.
However, not every attic can be converted into a bedroom. There are fairly hefty restrictions on attic conversions, primarily because of fire risks. To satisfy building regulations, your attic will have to fulfill several requirements.
First, the floor space of your attic should be at least 70 square feet, and at least 7 feet in any direction. At least 50% of the floor space should have a comfortable ceiling height. Also, the floor itself should be able to support the furniture and the people up there. People need to be able to safely and easily enter and exit the attic, and there needs to be at least one window that can let any occupants escape in the event of a fire.
Without fulfilling these requirements, you definitely won’t be able to advertise the attic conversion when selling the house, and you probably shouldn’t convert the attic at all.
- Improve Storage Space
However, you can still use the attic as extra storage. Many people already do this, but some attics only have bare joists and insulation. Thankfully, this is an easy fix. You can fit floors on top of the joists and even run electricity into the attic, allowing you to light it up.
If you plan on using your attic as a storage space, don’t fall into the trap of just throwing everything up there without paying attention. Regularly sort through your attic and make sure that you aren’t storing needless trash. This way, you’ll get the most out of your attic space.
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