Tight budgets and lean economic times require homeowners to think outside the renovation box when looking for additional space.
Upgrading an attic for use as storage has become popular for some homeowners who do not want to pay for a costly addition, said Jim Rafferty, marketing manager for Welsh Remodeling in Baltimore. Clients have even requested information about using the unfinished space over their garages.
Here are some online resources that can help in expanding your homes storage space to an unused attic:
» www.thisoldhouse.com addresses a variety of issues that arise in attic upgrades, including ways to avoid the major danger from moisture build up.
» www.wbdg.org has information on ways to upgrade attic spaces in older and historic homes to minimize the impact and cost.
» www.energy.state.md.us/energycalculator.asp has information from the Maryland Energy Administration on areas of the attic to look for saving through better insulation and sealing.
Basic attic upgrades for storage start at around $5,000 in the Baltimore area, said Robert Schuck, owner of Unique Resources Inc., a remodeling company in Baltimore. But that bargain-basement price provides only the most elementary upgrades to attic spaces and assumes that no additional structural support is needed. The cost for a basic storage upgrade — about $100 per square foot — is substantially less than the standard $200 per square foot cost of living space renovations, he said.
Any attic upgrade must begin with an assessment by an architect or engineer of the strength and placement of the existing joists before the space can be used for any purpose.
“Usually the floor in the attic is only designed to be strong enough to act as the ceiling for the floor below, which has completely different strength requirements,” Schuck said.
Additional items to consider when upgrading an attic space for storage include properly insulating the space if it is going to be regularly accessed. This includes efforts to control sharp temperature differences from the rest of the house and ways to prevent moisture buildup behind drywall that can affect the roof structure.
“Uninsulated air wants to become part of the living space,” Schuck said.
If the space will be used for storing items that do not require temperature control, then homeowners can skip costly heating and cooling systems.
