Old House Attic

Because the simplest and cheapest way to insulate an attic is to add material to the floor.

Old house attic.

Here are our top picks for attic renovations chosen by the editors of this old house. The answer to making an old house inhabitable is insulation. Plan to pull up the flooring and layer new insulation on top of the old. Whether you envision your house s top floor as an away from it all master suite a quiet home office or a hangout spot for the kids read these 14 tips to help you finish your attic remodel.

One of an attic s most important features is its framing. If you think attics are creepy crawly spaces meant solely for cobweb dusted storage think twice. The insulation must meet doe standards. But if the floor is covered in plywood you can t stuff enough insulation beneath it to do the job sufficiently not even in warm climates.

Many older houses and plenty of new ones too are framed with rafters 2x or engineered lumber that extends from the ridge board at the roof peak down to the top plate of the exterior wall where each rafter typically overhangs to form the eaves of a house. Every attic is different but a few established norms and practices will guide your renovation. Account for codes and safety photo by casey dunn. Making an attic into a master closet.

See all the winners and finalists from the search for america s best remodel 2015. Even if you bought the house with insulation already installed into it it s best to double check. The insulation materials used in older houses are not as effective in keeping heat in as the new ones.