Finished Attic Space Insulation

If building a knee wall for storage like karl did with this project make sure to insulate that area as well.

Finished attic space insulation.

The attic floor which is the ceiling of the living space below often already is insulated. Most codes require a specified minimum amount of headroom and it s tough to meet this requirement when insulating a finished attic especially since most. For diy attic insulation you ve got two choices. Don t mash or compress the insulation into the space.

Since parts of a finished attic are usually very close to the roof insulation often blocks proper ventilation that is needed under a roof structure. If it is and you plan to provide heating and cooling to the finished attic space you need to remove. But there aren t many buyers who consider climbing multiple sets of stairs a day on their list of must haves. 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.

Both can be added to uninsulated attics or layered over existing material. Insulation goes between roof and interior space if your attic is already finished it probably is at least partially insulated. Without properly ventilating the roof your finished space can be just as unpleasant as an unfinished attic. Use r 30 insulation for the ceiling and r 13 for the walls.

It makes the living space more ah livable especially if you re adding a bedroom. In the chicago area berg sees many homes where space is limited and the only way to expand is up. Loose fill or batt the common term for blanket insulation. Flooring ceiling and wall materials and other elements will reduce headroom and floor space and it s the finished area that matters.

Staple insulation between the wall studs and ceiling joists image a. Uses of the finished attic space range from office and playroom to full bed and bath. Once you ve decided which type is best for you examine the material options and prices to home in on the right product. A finished attic should be insulated much like the rest of the house with insulation in the walls and ceiling.

How to use your finished attic space. If your home is smaller than other homes in your area or simply lacks the necessary amount of storage or living space for your family finishing your attic is a relatively inexpensive way to increase your usable space. But even if you re using it as an activity room or office a bathroom makes the space more comfortable and it ll improve resale value. Converting your attic into usable finished space can increase the value of your home by maximizing the available square footage.

The basic space requirements for a finished attic boil down to the sizes of the finished rooms. Adding a bathroom to your attic expansion costs a bundle but trust us it s worth it.