How to Turn an Attic into a Room

Turning an attic into a room requires planning.

Building codes may make permits impossible to get if certain safety and structural requirements are not met. Roof design, structural integrity and support, accessibility, light sources, headroom, comfort and safety are all issues of paramount importance. All of these things must be considered before your conversion begins.

1. Enter the attic to assess its condition and suitability for conversion. If your attic has joists, but no flooring, take a wooden plank with you to enable you to walk around and take pictures and measurements.

2. Snap a photo of the rafters you see along the sides of the roof. If your rafters are heavy beams without the addition of supports linking them to the floor joists, you probably have an attic that is good for conversion. Supports indicate truss framing that may involve expensive roof raising to allow for attic conversion.

3. Measure the headroom in your attic using your measuring tape. An attic room must measure 10.5-foot at the ridge line and at least 50 percent of the finished space must be 7.5-foot tall or more.

4. Measure your joists. If the joists are 2x4s or 2x6s, they will need to be reinforced to carry the load of flooring and furniture. Photos should be taken here for reference as well.

5. Measure the size and examine the condition of existing windows. Windows need to be well insulated and equal at least 10 percent of the total floor space. Your conversion may need to include a skylight to meet this criteria.

6. Measure your existing attic access area. Many building codes require a permanent, safe staircase leading to an attic living space. Stairs must measure at least 3-feet wide and 13-feet tall and rise at a 30 to 35 degree angle.

7. Hire a building inspector or structural engineer to check the foundation and supporting walls of your home to ascertain if they can handle the additional weight of an attic conversion.

8. Plan for an exit strategy in case of fire. A fire escape leading out to the roof as well as safe access down the attic stairs is a must.

9. Hire electrician, plumber, and heating and air conditioning specialists to advise you what must be done to upgrade wiring, provide plumbing and outfit your space for heating and cooling, insulation and ventilation.

10. Contact your local building authority to acquire a building permit and arrange for regular inspections to ensure your work is up to code.

11. Draw a floor plan to show a hired contractor or to follow yourself should you choose to proceed on your own.

Tip

Tradesmen may be hired in an advisory capacity should you choose to do the actual work yourself.

Warning

Do not proceed without a building permit and structural analysis. Your safety and house insurance coverage could be placed in jeopardy without proper authorization.