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

How To Remodel Basements And Attics

Remodeling Precautions

AS MENTIONED in Chapter 12, attic remodeling is a most interesting and fascinating project. And, by means of such a project, you can anticipate an end to your lack of bedroom or other space problems. As the planning gets underway, especially if your attic is a large one, you will probably think of many changes and innovations which would create more space and thus cause the project to become more desirable. However, you may also do a great deal of such planning without taking into consideration several aspects of the possible cost of such attic remodeling.

In this chapter we shall discuss what can be called expensive and economical remodeling. We shall also investigate other important details which you should consider so far as your house is concerned. If you give careful consideration to this chapter you can avoid any possibility of mistakes, excessive costs or eventual disappointment with the completed project.

EXPENSIVE REMODELING

Part A of Fig. 1 shows the plan view of an attic space in an ell-shaped house. The area lettered A B C D constitutes the ell. The plan view indicates the following items.

1. The roof overhangs the walls along the south side of the house, around the southwest corner and along about half of the east wall.
2. The ridge (top of the sloping roof) over the main part of the house is parallel to the south wall. Over the ell, the ridge is parallel to the east and west walls.
3. The attic stairway is centrally located in the main part of the attic space.
4. Knee walls along lines A B and C D would be 4 ft. high.
5. The collar beams are 8 ft. above the floor.
6. There is a T. G. (tongued-and-grooved) floor in the attic space.
7. Windows, in sets of two, are located in the east and west walls of the main part of the attic space and in the north wall of the ell.
8. The soil stack (main drain and vent pipe) is located near the
south wall of the house.
9. The chimney is located just north of the stairway.

Part B of Fig. 1 shows the same attic space after remodeling plans were completed. The following items constitute some of the changes and innovations.

1. Every square foot of the attic space, within the limitations of usable area, has been put to good use.
2. There are two exceptionally large bedrooms.
3. There is a new bathroom. It contains a shower stall, a water closet, a Pullman-type wash basin and cabinet, a seat and tile floor.
4. All walls are to be furred and surfaced with blocks.