Step 1 check the ceiling height.
Finish out attic separate loft.
At least 50 step 2 make sure the attic has a full size staircase.
To meet all three goals insulating your finished attic ventilating the roof and maximizing headroom use a combination of dense batt insulation rigid foam sheeting and air chutes.
Follow the rule of 7s.
Figure out how you re going to get up and down from the finished attic space.
If you re finishing your attic insulating it to the proper r value can cause a dramatic loss of headroom if you limit yourself to fiberglass batts.
The plywood will create a smooth strong ceiling without having to apply drywall tape and mud to the ceiling.
A stair designed with an intermediate landing and two runs needs about 8 feet on the lower level.
Use screws to attach sheets of birch plywood to the angled ceiling over the insulation making sure to drive the screws into the ceiling joists.
Need more headroom in the basement.
Building codes vary by location but most require at least a 7 foot clearance for attic expansions.
A contractor or a local building official can help you assess how the rule will apply to your attic and how modifications like dormers can resolve height shortcomings.
Enforcement varies but codes typically say that at least half of a finished attic must be at least 7 feet high and that this area must be a minimum of 7 feet wide and 70 square feet.
Building code also requires that the.
If you don t have enough height you ll have to raise the roof line and that adds a lot to your construction costs.
Every attic is different but a few established norms and practices will guide your renovation.
That s measured after you finish the ceiling.
Enlarging an existing stairway or adding a new one will affect spaces below.