Loft or attic conversions really open up a
home. Adding that extra useable space not only adds
value to your house but also creates another sanctuary
to relax and unwind. In this case, my client was
looking for a private retreat for her and her husband
– a master bedroom suite that also included a large
en-suite bathroom, walk-in closet and large whirlpool
tub area.
Reshaping the room
We began the three-month project by completely
gutting the space. We knocked out the walls between
the two little rooms to create one big master bedroom.
These walls, however, were load-bearing walls,
so we installed support beams to transfer the weight
of the roof.
The other big structural change was creating a
dormer by cutting off a portion of the roof to add
headroom for an en-suite bathroom. This sort of
work is definitely best left to the professionals,
especially because timing is so critical. Weather was
extremely important when planning the removal of
the roof renovation to prevent water damage in the
home. No matter the weather, the contractor had to
work quickly to cut off the roof, rebuild the new roof
and waterproof everything.
With one challenge out of the way, we tackled the
next: insulation. The roof of the house was stick-built
with a two by ten construction. To get an R40 insulation
rating with traditional fiberglass insulation
batts, additional framing would be needed, making
the ceiling very low – already a challenge in a space
where ceilings sloped down in some areas from eight
feet six inches to five feet. The best solution, we
concluded, was splurging on spray foam insulation,
which should be installed by a professional. It hurt
the pocket book at the time, but I would recommend
it for any attic conversion project or any project, for
that matter. It provided that extra headroom even in
a space with lower ceilings while staying warm in the
winter and cool in the summer!
Lights and pipes
When using spray foam insulation, it is important
to thoroughly plan electrical work beforehand. Once
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Parade of Homes Fall 2016 11