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Pros and Cons of Converting an Attic

St Louis - St Charles Insulation Company.

Pros and Cons of Converting an Attic-st-louis-missouri

Converting An Attic Is A great Way To Add Space in St Louis, MO Area

If you have a spacious attic that you don’t really use, you may consider converting that area into a usable, livable space. But you’ll have to do some research first to ensure an attic conversion would be a safe, energy-efficient, building code-compliant project. Part of that will involve installing the proper amounts of insulation to ensure the energy efficiency and comfort of the space.

Pros and Cons

Converting an attic into some other type of room not only boosts the functionality of your home, it increases the appeal to future home buyers. You can convert your attic into many types of rooms such as:

Additional bedroom
In-law apartment
Rental space
Kids’ playroom
Extra storage space
Music room
Bonus room
Man cave
Creative space
Art room
Yoga studio
Craft room
Reading nook

While the possibilities are virtually endless, there are some drawbacks to attic conversions, especially if you try to do it yourself or don’t get the appropriate professional assistance.

There are some cons associated with attic conversion without consulting a professional. Sub-par attic conversions can:

Negatively impact whole-home ventilation
Compromise whole-home energy efficiency
Pose safety issues (especially if it’s not structurally sound or doesn’t include a fire suppression system)
Reduce comfort levels in other living spaces if you have the improper type or amount of insulation, or if you have an improperly sized or routed HVAC system
Result in unhealthy interior air quality if you store questionable items in the space.

Tips For an Attic-to-Room Conversion

Check out these tips to ensure your attic conversion is a successful one.

Hire a licensed contractor

Before you get into the planning phase, consult with a few contractors, such as builders, electricians and insulation contractors in O’Fallon MO. These professionals can verify the structural integrity of your attic overall as well as its flooring before beams are removed or extra weight is added.

Ask these professionals how you could best relocate your HVAC system, electrical system, plumbing pipes and other equipment – which are usually hidden away in the attic. Now you will have to find another place for them.

Verify Attic Safety

If your attic is unfinished or you haven’t used it in a while, you will need to:

Look for signs of moisture damage, mold and mildew, pests, and more, as these can weaken wood support systems
Ensure the flooring is sound
Verify the structural integrity of joists
Wear proper safety gear, such as masks so you don’t breathe in harmful particulates

If the house was built prior to the 1980s or you believe the insulation is original, call an attic insulation specialist first. They can inspect the existing insulation and see if it contains illegal and harmful substances such as asbestos and formaldehyde.

Clean and Sanitize the Attic

Hire attic cleaning and sanitation professionals who can safely clean out and remove contaminated insulation. They can also sanitize the area to ensure no evidence of pests, mold, or mildew is left behind.

Ensure Adequate Ventilation and Insulation

Attics contribute to your home’s energy efficiency plan. You need to have adequate insulation and ventilation in the attic, so make sure your conversion plan takes this into account.

Call Addict Insulation in St. Charles MO

Call our attic insulation contractors in St. Charles MO today when planning an attic conversion project for your home. Get a fee quote and schedule a consult when you contact us at 636-233-7314.

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