reclaiming the attic

The conversion of unfinished attics to year-round living space has been a constant in American homes for centuries. Fitting out an attic, however, comes with its own set of constraints and a checklist of dos and don’ts. The first constraint is that attic walls typically slant at sharp angles, cutting down the amount of usable space. You may find a lack of headroom, most notably in low-pitched or gable-ended attics. An attic remodel usually will require flooring, sheathing for walls and ceilings, stair access, and dormers or windows. Then come such big-ticket items as structural support, insulation and venting, plumbing for a bathroom, heating and air conditioning, and electrical service. In essence, you’ll be building a little house in the attic.

 adequate headroom in most