However in some cases the joists are intentionally built strong enough for the homeowner to later build out the attic.
Build house and finish attic later.
The ceiling load may include items like drywall ducts recessed lights bathroom fans and attic insulation.
Figure you ll need to beef up the floor insulate and more.
What are the pros and cons if any.
That s measured after you finish the ceiling if you don t have enough height you ll have to raise the roof line and that adds a lot to your construction costs.
Here s a look at some building code basics when it comes to turning attic space into living space.
Ie build the house now without finishing the attic and then later complete it.
In most cases though the joists cannot support live loads and may not even be covered with boards.
Account for codes and safety casey dunn.
Most houses attics are built without flooring and are not designed to carry the heavy load of finished space.
Before finishing an attic get the necessary permits from your local housing commission so you don t get in trouble later on if you try to sell your house.
Keep in mind that all building requirements for the project are governed by the local building authority and local code rules.
In general does it make sense to use an attic as a future expansion of livable space.
If you re finishing your attic insulating it to the proper r value can cause a dramatic loss of headroom if you limit yourself to fiberglass batts.
So if you re planning to get a few years of use out of it the investment might make more sense.
First check for head clearance.
If the attic passes the space test chances are you can make everything else work but there are a few other big issues to consider before getting serious about finishing.
Access and egress code generally requires a full size staircase with a minimum 6 foot 8 inch clearance above it.
Whether you envision your house s top floor as an away from it all master suite a quiet home office or a hangout spot for the kids read these 14 tips to help you finish your attic remodel.
Every attic is different but a few established norms and practices will guide your renovation.
Of course we don t want an in law suite but i was wondering if it makes sense to convert it into bedrooms and a play area later.
Finishing the attic into liveable space nets an average of 9 3 out of 10 joy score or sense of happiness the owners have upon completion on nar s renovation report.
To meet all three goals insulating your finished attic ventilating the roof and maximizing headroom use a combination of dense batt insulation rigid foam sheeting and air chutes.