But the second you turn your attic into living space it s a whole new ballgame.
Building into attic space.
Access and egress code generally requires a full size staircase with a minimum 6 foot 8 inch clearance above it.
An opening not less than 20 inches by 30 inches 559 mm by 762 mm shall be provided to any attic area having a clear height of over 30 inches 762 mm.
More seating will make the room seem bigger and it provides more functionality.
If you have an attic shorter than required by code you won t be able to remodel it into living space.
You ll need a much larger staircase and landing to accommodate furniture.
Other structural issues are also factors including whether there is adequate space to install a stairway to the attic.
If your attic is shorter than this you can lower the ceiling on the.
Generally 7 feet 6 inches high over a minimum floor area of 70 square feet.
Many older homes were built with steep pitched roofs and plenty of available height that makes attic conversion easy and inexpensive.
To pass code there must be at least 70 square feet where the ceiling height is 5 feet or.
Because local codes vary your building inspector can provide a list of applicable codes and required inspections for your new attic bedroom.
An l shaped sectional provides plenty of seating to enjoy the fire.
Habitable attic space must satisfy the same requirements that govern rooms in the rest of the house.
To be classified as a livable space your floor to ceiling height will have to be at least 7 feet.
The first is your ceiling height.
A freestanding midcentury modern fireplace fits nicely into the corner of this attic apartment.
Other model building code citations for attic access stairways 2009 ibc commercial construction requirement for attic space access.
For fire safety there must be two ways out a second staircase for example or a window.
Building code often requires stairway access to the attic if the space is to.
Don t be afraid to use a large sofa in a small space.
Here s a look at some building code basics when it comes to turning attic space into living space.
There are many things to consider before undertaking the work.