Depending on your geographic location you are going to need heating and possibly air conditioning for your finished attic space. If you currently have central forced air heating it is unlikely that the current furnace size is adequate to heat the new space. An HVAC contractor should be called in for a professional assessment of your specific situation. You can add electrical heating, either under-floor radiant or baseboard (see the electrical heading).
Remember that this room is the highest in the home and hence will be the hottest room in the home.
Figure 3 - House with dormer
Figure 4 - Opening skylight
- Windows
- Electrical
- Floor
You will most likely want to have natural light in your new finished attic space. If your attic currently has dormers, as shown in Figure 3, you are ahead of the game. If not you may wish to consider adding dormers to your new finished attic space. As an alternative you can install skylights that open, as shown in Figure 4.
Note: If you do have dormers, they windows are probably old. Now, maybe the time, to consider replacing the windows to energy efficient models.
You are going to want receptacles and lighting for your new finished attic space. You have to determine how you will get a group of wires from your electrical distribution panel (load center) to the attic. The inside of closets are usually the most convenient method, however an alternative is to run a conduit from the basement or the area containing the distribution panel to the attic on the outside of the home.
Consideration should be given to the amount of power that will be required in the new attic space.
Additional information on wiring.
Note: It is highly unlikely that you can take enough power from ceiling light fixtures that are in the floor below the attic to power your new livable attic space.
You may also require communications cabling for computers and telephone. As well as cabling for cable or satellite TV.
You can run a number of separate circuits to the attic or you can run a larger cable and install a sub-panel in the new attic space.
Additional information on the installation of sub-panels.
The attic floor may not have been designed to carry the loads of an occupied room. You must look at what will be the floor joists and determine if they are adequate. If they are spaced 16 inches or less on center, they should do fine, however if the spacing is greater than 16 inches you will have to add additional floor joists.
Note: There is no reason to remove the insulation that is between the attic floor joists.
Additional information on flooring
Step 3:
If you do not have a stairway into the attic, but are planning on installing one, now is the time to install it. Having the stairway available before you start the project will make it much easier to carry materials into the attic space.