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| Photo: Pxhere |
Let’s say that you live in a one bedroom apartment and you have guests sleeping over. You can give up a bedroom and sleep on the couch but if this is going to be the scenario every time, perhaps it will be best to turn the attic into another bedroom instead?
The attic will make a nice bedroom because it is above ground. Not only that, a study shows that homeowners who convert their attics or add additional living space to their homes can carry a significant weight at the time that they decide to resell it.
To make this happen, the first thing you have to do is improve the insulation in the room. Most people do not insulate this section of the house compared to the bedroom or dining room because this is only used to store old junk
In order for people to sleep here comfortably, you will need to install additional layers of insulation as well as a drywall to hide the wooden frames.
It is one thing to fight against the cold and another when summer is here. For that, you will also need to provide adequate ventilation by putting roof rafters and windows so air can flow in and out of the room.
Next, you will have to fix the walls by using either drywall pieces or wood panelling. Choosing what to use really depends on your budget.
Since most attics are dark, you will have to light to this place by installing a skylight. You can put one or a few which will also save on electricity costs when someone is up here during the day.
After roofing and walls, you can now focus your attention on the floors. You can use the existing wood already on the floor or replace these with tiles. Another option will be to put a rug.
If a pull-down stairway or trap door is okay to gain access to your attic, this should also be changed when what is already up there is already a bedroom. This is because it is a requirement in order for your construction to be approved. The staircase must be 2 feet by 6 feet with single or double hand railing.
As for lighting, you can easily put a few more bulbs by wiring this to the nearest power source. The same goes for heating and plumbing should you also have a bathroom upstairs.
Homeowners who decide to hire a contractor should look for several, ask for an estimate and compare each one. As much as people want to spend so much to make this renovation look good, there are limits to how much he or she can shell out to make this happen.
Those who have the right contractor for the job should make sure that the building permit and other requirements are in order so construction can begin. They should also be able to keep you updated on the progress of their work and be consulted if there are any problems because this is your home.
Turning your attic into a bedroom is one of the best decisions you will ever make as a homeowner because when everything is made according to your specifications, you will already be able to have guests come over and sleep there without you ever having to give up your bed.
