Renovating the attic can make that section of the house comfortable and still energy efficient. For that to happen, here are a few things you should do.
One of the things that you have to do is add insulation to the attic. You can replace what is already there or add another layer. That way, the attic will not be that hot or humid during the summer and too cold during the winter.
Instead of putting an air condition upstairs, you can put a ventilation shaft so the one unit which you use to cool the rest of house also does the same upstairs.
So you don’t waste electricity by turning the light on during the day, you can install a skylight on the ceiling and have several windows made. That way, natural light will make the room look bright both in the morning and afternoon. Just make sure the widows are energy efficient so they prevent heat loss.
If you are going to put a bathroom upstairs, you better waterproof the walls because in the long term, the water that is absorbed will damage the wood. This means you will have to replace this later on and this cycle will continue unless you take the necessary precautions.
The toilet if ever there one should be low flush or dual flush. The same goes for the faucets and shower head so not that much water is consumed when someone is there.
Before you bring up anything heavy upstairs, you should check on the condition of the flooring. If this is already weak, it could break and the bed or bathtub upstairs could fall down and damage the rooms below. This must be replaced or reinforced especially along the joints so such an incident will never happen.
So you don’t have to spend for additional materials, why don’t you recycle what you have? Surely, you can repaint the old dresser or table then have this relocated somewhere else in the room. You can even sand the floor, repaint chipped walls with the same color or install missing woodwork. This will help you save money and only spend for what you need even if this is just a small project.
Taking the proper precautions can save hundreds of dollars when you renovate the attic. Bringing natural light into the room will surely save money instead of paying more for your electricity bills. Putting a water resistant coating will protect your wood from ever being damaged by water.
When you have taken all the necessary precautions, you are sure to enjoy the new room compared to what it was before. But before you do anything, clear the room out and then look at the place.
If you are not sure about the condition of the insulation or the flooring, call the building inspector who will give you an honest opinion regarding the condition of the room. If this person sees no problem in renovating the attic, then you should go ahead and do it.
A lot of people renovate for different reasons. This is to add more living space in the house or to increase its resale value. Whatever the reason, renovating the attic should not cost you that much. You should just know how to play it smart.
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