The Golden State: Where & How to Live, Secure, Visit, Enjoy and Thrive in California

How To Remodel Basements And Attics

Introduction To Attic Remodeling

MILLIONS OF OLDER HOUSES were designed and built during an era when, for one reason or another, high (steeply pitched) roofs were a popular design feature. Most of those houses are structurally sound and constitute economic advantages in terms of current building costs. In other words, much less cost is involved in remodeling an existing house, to make it suitable for family needs, than in building a new one. Most of the older houses, and even some of the newer ones, include full basements and attics. Thus, there are two spaces which can be considered for remodeling. Basement spaces are generally more than 50% below the surface of the ground and therefore, according to most city building laws, cannot be used for bedrooms. In such cases, attic spaces are the logical location for such additional rooms. But, as we shall see, attic spaces can be remodeled to satisfy many other needs also.

USABLE ATTIC TYPES

In Chapters 13 and 14 we shall learn how to visualize and evaluate usable attic space. Here, our purpose is to decide if the general shape of the roof is such that attic remodeling is possible.

Part A of Fig. 1 shows what is called a gable roof. The roof, on two sides, is pitched upward to a ridge. The shape of the roof is such that, when the ridge is seven or more feet above the attic floor, the available space is generally suitable for remodeling. If your house has a gable roof, the chances are good that the attic space can be utilized.

Part B of Fig. 1 shows what is called a hip roof. The roof, on four sides, is pitched upward to a short ridge. Because the two ends, a and b, of the roof are pitched, little usable attic space is available. If your house has a hip roof the chances for worthwhile remodeling are not good. The exception to this general rule occurs only where very large houses are involved. You can study your attic space and determine how useful it may be by means of the suggestions given in Chapter 13. Part C of Fig. 1 shows what is called an intersecting roof. It is similar to a gable roof except that the ridge of the roof over the ell intersects the ridge of the main roof. When the ridge of the main roof is seven or more feet above the attic floor, the available space is generally suitable for remodeling. If your house has an intersecting roof, the chances are good that the attic space can be put to use.