How to Make an Attic a Room
Building a room in the attic can provide a family bonus room or bedroom for a teenager. Since an attic is somewhat removed from the rest of the house, it is a good place to build a sewing room or drawing room for the family artist. Unusual roof lines add to the visual beauty of such space. Most cities and municipalities require an attic room to have a window for fire escape. Consider adding a large window and deck on one end of the attic or create a couple of dormers with a large window in each. Does this Spark an idea?
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Things You'll Need
- Lumber boards
- Drywall
- Joint compound
- Electrical wiring
- Light fixtures
- Wood flooring
- Tile
- Wood trim molding
- Crown molding
- Closet doors
- Baseboard materials
- Paint or stain
- Interior door
- Door jamb kit
- Door facing materials
Instructions
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Consult local authorities to figure out building codes for an attic room. Measure the space to see if you can build the square footage required and satisfy the need for windows and other issues. Get a building permit if you decide to take on the project. Enlist the help of an expert carpenter to build access stairs into the attic space from a room below. You will need to transport building supplies such as lumber and drywall via the stairs.
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Sketch designs you envision for the room. Draw in details such as a window seat for a window dormer or special closet doors. Hire an electrician to remove wiring and reroute it away from the space. Engage a plumber to check out the pipes and drains as well. You might decide to build a small bathroom in the attic room area, so consider this in your initial drawings. Ask the plumber to help design how to connect to existing water pipes and drains.
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Install wooden framework for the room out of 2 by 4 lumber. Build in framing for a closet space and storage areas under the eaves. Nail down particle board flooring or plywood to serve as a subfloor during construction of the room. Staple insulation into the exterior framework of the walls. Hire an electrician to install housing for electrical outlets and lighting fixtures before you put drywall in place. Place vents and duct work if your heat and air system will accommodate the added space.
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Nail drywall to the framework and finish with joint compound. Hang closet doors and install wood trim in the area and crown molding around the top of the room. Seat any bathroom fixtures and caulk. Have professionals connect light fixtures, outlets and all plumbing pipes and drains. Paint the walls and woodwork throughout the room and bath area, if you build one. Install wood and tile flooring and cut baseboard material to fit the room and back inside closet areas. Nail crown molding in place in the room's perimeter.
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Buy an electric heater for the space if you don't have central heat and air. Install a unit similar to wall units in hotels. Consider using an oil-filled radiator electric heater if you choose a stand-alone model to use occasionally. Install a window air conditioning unit if you don't connect to central heat and air. You can design a framework on an exterior wall for this, since you don't want to take up window space in an attic.
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