Many times, people have thought about how they can make optimum use of that space directly built below the roof in the uppermost part of their houses and even other buildings not meant for habitation. It is undoubtedly true and obvious that you would find an attic in almost every home. Although an attic is often left unfinished and with sloped walls, you cannot underestimate the fact that apart from it been able to serve as a space for storage for you and other house occupants, attics could also be converted to be used as bedrooms, home office, a study/mini-library, or even a guest room. For you to be able to convert your attics to good use, flooring should be a very reasonable thing to do.
Can My Attic Support a Floor?
Virtually all attics are built unfinished, which makes them have no regular floors to walk on like the other parts of the house or building. There is a huge risk of slipping or falling through the attic while trying to leap and step on the beams or joists of the ceiling, which has necessitated people to consider installing a floor to make the movement through an attic easier and access easier and accessible. It also makes storing things and converting the attic for other use.
Attics can support a floor. They are usually unfinished, and to be able to convert them into a safer, attractive haven. You should consider finishing up the space, which might include installing a floor. To be able to floor your attic, you have to know the type of materials your attic is made of so that you can be decisive on which aspect of usage the attic will be and the type of flooring that will be suitable for the attic’s beams and joists.
It is advisable that you check and confirm from the Homeowners Association in the city, town, or state in which your house is situated if it is legal to convert attics to personal spaces, like storage space, bedroom, etc. Even when there are no restrictions to converting your attic space, still have it in mind that it could be subject to inspection by building officials during a routine inspection.
You also need to confirm the amount of head space the attic can contain before renovating it. This is important in order to avoid bumping your head against the ceiling, which is obviously an uncomfortable situation for the owner.
Why Does My Attic Need a Floor?
It provides more space
The larger the size of a family, the more the number of people who are going to live in that house, and it is obvious that more space will be needed to accommodate the things that cannot be disposed of, and maybe, an extra bedroom will be needed for a member of the family to live in. If the spaces in the main house have all been occupied, extra space would be needed. In addition, the longer you stay in a house, the more belongings you acquire and need to store. You will need more space to keep your belongings, and your attic can be useful for this purpose. Therefore, attics in houses should be floored, as it is an invaluable option when the need for more space arises.
It reduces the cost of expansion
Instead of going through the financial burden of renting extra rooms, spaces, storage apartments, or even expanding the house, the attic can be that space option to fit your needs.
Types of Floors I Can Use For My Attic
Before flooring your attic, you need to consider the largeness and strength of the joists in the attic. The function of the joists is basically to carry the weight of the ceiling of rooms beneath it and other home appliances like fans and air conditioners. Homes having 2×6 or 2×8 joists might consider inviting experts to verify and give the right specifications and requirements of the floor to be used because they may not have enough strength to withstand and support the weight of the flooring you intend to use. The following are materials suitable for flooring your attic:
Plywood
Are you considering to use an attic for storage purposes? Then, plywood is preferably the best option. It is recommended that plywood with about 3/4 inches thickness will make the attic firm and solid enough to support whatever is going to be up there in the attic. Plywood can also be a good option for flooring if you want to convert it into a living space like a bedroom, mini-library, or home office. The plywood can be used as a subfloor, while materials like carpet, luxury vinyl, or laminate can be used to give the flooring a finished, stunning, and impeccable look.
Carpets
You should use carpets because they dampen sounds and are natural insulators. It easily does the trick of reducing noise in an attic space and the rooms directly underneath. Carpet can be an all-to-wall or in tile designs. Children can also play on carpets because it is a soft and comfortable flooring. However, carpet easily collects dirt and can also be difficult to replace if the roof on the attic is leaky.
Laminates
Laminates are durable, and they also replicate the classic look of hardwoods or tiles. They are water-resistant and good for accidental spills. They are easy to clean, maintain, and very affordable, saving you lots of money on the overall renovation cost of your building.
Luxury Vinyl
Just like carpets, luxury vinyl also dampens sounds, and they are durable as well. This type of flooring offers high performance. They come in various forms. The form could be in resemblance of woodgrains, stones, and tiles in seamless patterns. Unlike laminates, luxury vinyl cannot be glued down.
In conclusion, flooring an attic and converting it for the purpose of storage or habitation is a great way to expand the storage and living space in your home.
