An attic with existing window space is ideal for building bedrooms.
Wasted space in an attic can yield usable bedroom areas. Teenagers and college students, especially, may find the attic area private and more desirable than a downstairs bedroom. Working on the project, to create two bedrooms, requires constructing the rooms to provide privacy for both. Even young children appreciate the separateness of bedroom space from the rest of the family. Be sure to get a building permit and learn all local building code restrictions before starting any construction project. Build access stairs to move construction materials into the attic as your starting point.
Instructions
1. Assess the house structure and practical matters. Get an expert to determine if floor joists or walls need reinforcement. Never assume that attic flooring will hold the extra weight of new rooms. Go over details of how plumbing, electricity and heating and cooling will factor into the project. Find out if your existing heat pump is large enough for added space.
2. Measure the space you will enclose. Keep in mind that you will need to frame the rooms with 2- by 4-inch boards. Figure out any height issues on sloping walls. Plan to use eaves areas for storage. Draw everything on graph paper, so the finished bedrooms will look exactly as you envision them. Sketch the rooms to include a hallway between them for added privacy, and add a bathroom, however small if possible. Reserve a dormer window for each bedroom, if these windows are already in place.
3. Fix any roof problems and add energy-efficient windows. Correct any roof leaks before nailing framework into place to define the skeleton of the two bedrooms. Plan to insulate between the two bedrooms on interior walls, if desired, for added privacy.
4. Install sub-flooring, so you can walk around in the space to complete it. Route water lines, drain lines and electrical wiring while walls are open. Run venting and duct work at this point as well. Insulate the walls and nail drywall into place. Finish the drywall with joint compound, sand and paint. Install bath fixtures, but leave the toilet until last so it can be seated on top of finished flooring.
5. Finish up details and add flooring. Connect electrical outlets and plumbing lines. Caulk all areas in the bathroom that need it. Install any crown molding, wood trim and interior doors. Lay hardwood flooring or tile flooring last before adding baseboard trim. Seat the toilet last using a wax ring seal.
Tags: added privacy, into place