Attic conversions are a great way to use space your house already has. Attic conversions are more realistic in homes built before the 1960’s as that is when the use of roof rafters bowed out and gave way to the modern roof truss. The difference is that a truss has a series of webbings that look like an ‘x’ or ‘w’ and fill almost all of the useable space found in an older attic. For that reason, older homes are more cost effective for attic conversions.

A quick poke up the attic hatch will let you know the viability of the space. The ridge should be at least 7-7 ½ feet high (in the middle of the room) or the space will be too low when finished.

Next we look at the rafters themselves. The top chord (the ones vertically running under the shingles) will need to be 2x8 or greater to allow for roof venting and insulation (so you don’t sweat or freeze!). The bottom chord of the rafter…or soon to be floor joists (holding the ceiling below) will need to be between 2x8 to 2x10 to support the new live load (bed or dresser or you!) and make sure the ceiling does not collapse. Joist spans & spacing here is crucial too, as the wider apart the joists are, the weaker the support. The best bet is to speak with your local municipality about provincial code requirements with the floor. Reinforcement or building up of the existing could be required…so check your overall room height again! If all else fails, ripping off the existing roof and replacing it with a room-in-roof truss or a higher pitched conventionally framed roof can allow you to achieve the desired result of additional living area within the roof, albeit in a more costly manner.

Now we move to planning the stairs. Location is critical. Try to line them up with any other stairs in the house to avoid wasted space. If the headroom is too low at the top of the stairs you may need a dormer (a bump out off the side of sloping roof) to meet the 6ft 5in required headroom within a stairwell, and to traverse safely and comfortably between levels.

Lastly, think natural light. Skylights are a great way to provide daylighting, or for fresh air and even egress at stairways and bathrooms or where windows are not feasible due to property line restrictions. On the gable ends, large windows can be easily installed, as are French doors with Juliette railings for cross ventilation and provide lots of light adding to the open feel of the space. Hip roofs are not as easy as there are no flat wall spaces and dormers (pop-outs) will be required to gain a similar effect.

Of note, heating, cooling and ventilation are critical to the success of these spaces, and depending on the homes existing systems and the size of the new space, we will have suggestions of how to best design your HVAC to ensure comfort, health and maximize efficiency.

If all checks out and you are ready to move upstairs, call us for a feasibility study of your own home. Attic conversions are commonly less than half of the cost of a main floor addition. And who said the penthouse was expensive?!