Are you interested in transforming your attic to a new, modern, and comfortable look? If you have an attic that can be converted into a usable living space, or an extra bedroom, office, or playroom, we’re here to help you! Attic builder near me gave me a lot of tips to help everyone.
DIY attic remodel is a great idea to add space to your home. There are a lot of ideas you can follow without paying so much at the home addition price. Before we start giving you a step-by-step guide on how to remodel your attic, you need to make sure your attic meets the local building codes. You also need to find out whether you need a building permit or not.
Aside from all these, you should also be able to decide if you would consider heating or ventilation work. If your attic doesn’t have ductwork, then you need to find out if your HVAC system supports an additional room. You need an expert for this so that you will know the capacity of your heating and cooling system. If HVAC is beyond your budget, you can consider including baseboard heating or mini-split systems. Attic remodeling is hard so you need to prepare yourself.
The importance of a contractor is truly emphasized. Construction companies are highly needed. The contractor will check or install vents to ensure that air can move behind the insulation. They can also help you with other rough-in works you have to establish a good attic.
Installing ducts and vents cost $1087, the HVAC system is $3,942, a building dormer is $1,800for a DIY project but if not, its costs will be $2,500 to $25,000. For electrical wiring, it will be roughly $50 to $100 an hour. If you want to add stairs, the professional installation is from $2,240 to $3,126. Setting aside the costs, you must also be ready for construction management. it is why general contractors and building construction companies are needed.
Before we proceed to the steps on how you can remodel your attic we want to give you a piece of advice. We want you to be realistic about your skill level and if this is your first time remodeling, you should consider hiring a professional to help you as you try to convert your attic to what you desire. Without further ado, here are the steps:
1. Clean your attic first.
Remove all the junk you have. Do not leave building materials that you don’t need. If you are adding insulation before installing drywall, we suggest that you remove any old insulation. If it is loose or blown-in, you can just use an industrial vacuum to remove all of it. However, if your insulation is still in good condition, you can just install subflooring over it. You can also replace it if it is old or compressed. You also need to gather construction materials to start the work.
2. Do the wirings for electricity.
Hire a licensed electrician to ensure that all the wiring of your attic meets the code requirements. Hire a professional to install electrical wiring across the walls and ceiling to avoid problems in the future. Keep in mind that it is best to have at least one outlet on each wall and at least one outlet every 12 feet. You can also hire a construction worker to help and assist you.
3. Now is the time to build a subfloor.
If there are joists on the floor of your attic, then that is an indication that you need to build a sub-floor. You need to do this after the electrical and ventilation installations have been completed. To reduce the sound traveling, you can add insulation under the subfloor paneling, or simply choose a thicker subfloor panel.
4. Insulate your attic.
The best insulation for the attic is batt insulation with vapor-retarder facing. It is flexible and easy to install. What we love about it is that it can be layered for additional coverage. The batt insulation is usually cut so it can fit between standard wall joists as attic walls are not as tall as their size. Don’t be afraid to trim the pieces with a utility knife.
5. Install the drywall and ceiling.
Hang the drywall to make your attic look good. Hang them horizontally from your exposed studs and secure them with screws. You may finish this phase by covering seams and screws with drywall mud. Another thing you must know is that you need to conserve space to meet the building code standards.
6. Paint the ceilings and walls with the color theme you desire.
To make your attic look like a real living space, you need to paint it. You need your new drywall to be primed before painting. After priming, you can add at least two coats of paint. When choosing the color of your attic, consider lighter options, especially if your attic has few windows because it just means it only has little natural light coming in.
7. Choose and install your attic flooring.
Carpeting is also a good option because it helps you reduce sound. It also adds additional insulation to your floor. There are a lot of flooring options you can do so don’t hesitate to reach out to professionals and research the things you can do.