Turn Your Attic Into An Additional Room

House with Newly Finished Attic

For many homeowners, the attic is a place to store things that are out of season or used only occasionally. It can be a cold, (or hot) dingy part of your home; a place that not many like to visit often. If that is the situation in your home, this article is for you. Have you ever thought to do something different with your attic but never really knew how, even what, to do? Maybe it's never crossed your mind. Well, you can make your attic better than it is; you can upgrade it. Here are some do-it-yourself attic restoration steps and ideas.

The first thing you need to do is to assess your attic. Take everything out, clean it up and take a good look at it. You need to be aware of a few things: pipes, leaks, vents, chimneys, wiring, and lights. If you have any of these things in your attic, you need to speak with a professional before proceeding. You will want to enlist a professional regardless, to tell you how much weight the attic can bear, if it would be safe.

Once you know what you are dealing with, you need to make plans. These will all be heavily influenced by how much space you have. If you have a lot of space, nearly every option is open to you. However, if you have a smaller space, then you need to be a little more creative. Whatever your plans are, first, there are some things you should do.

1. Insulation

An Attic Turned into a RoomNo matter if you live in a hot, cold, or mild climate, you will want to make sure your attic is insulated. Nothing will prevent the enjoyment of your attic more than discomfort due to temperature. The easiest thing to do is to hire a professional or at least get some extensive guidance from them before proceeding.

2. Plywood and Carpet

For the floor, you will want to plywood or particle board to be securely laid down. You may want to take care to get it to the point where it isn't creaky and problematic. Many attics may be very tricky with this (again, don't hesitate to enlist experienced or professional help). 

Next you will need a covering for the plywood. Carpet is the perhaps preferable. You may be able to get a deal where you purchase carpet to get free installation. Your budget and time will dictate much of what you do in this area.

3. Sheetrock and Drywall

Now that you have your attic insulated and have a good floor, you can get all that covered by someone with sheetrock (or drywall, whichever you desire). You can pick these up at most hardware stores.

4. Paint and Wallpaper

Here's the fun part-- you can now choose colors or patterns for your room. Just, before you do any of that, be sure to cover your carpet, walls, etc. so you don't have to go back a few steps. 

Now you are ready to do the rest of the furnishing and decorating. If you want it to be a movie room, you can throw a couch and TV up there; if you want it to be a bedroom you can put a bed and chest of draws. You will want a professional to check to make sure how much weight the attic floor can hold, but besides that, it's up to you!

The biggest thing with these types of changes in your home is safety. Find a professional to make sure it will be safe for you to work on the attic of your home and that all the building and fire codes are being adhered to. Do your homework--after that you can have fun with it, hopefully tons of fun. The possibilities are literally endless.

http://www.diynetwork.com/remodeling/10-things-you-must-know-finishing-a-basement/pictures/index.html?i=1

http://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/4196161/list/7-Tips-to-Convert-Your-Attic-Into-an-Extra-Living-Room

http://www.thisoldhouse.com/toh/photos/thumbnails/0,,20645175,00.html

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