While many homeowners commonly focus on some areas of the house like bathroom and kitchen for renovations and remodellings, there is one part that needs your attention too: the attic. Clean attics are crucial for improving the air quality and energy efficiency of your home. In addition, they can be attractive to larger pests. There are some simple steps you can take to keep them sanitary and safe.

Your attic is a valuable space for remodeling and extending your living quarters. A finished attic can be a livable space, perfect for a bedroom or playroom. The possibilities are endless. Your attic can also serve as a space for storing your things. If you’re creative, you can even convert an attic into a home office or playroom for the kids. If you can work with a contractor, your attic will be transformed into a beautiful space.

Converting an attic is a popular DIY project for many homeowners. It is a cheap alternative to extending the main floor. Common materials used in an attic conversion include insulation, drywall, and carpeting. Attics are typically quieter than the main floor, and they can even hold a bedroom and an office. You can even install a skylight to let in more natural light. The benefits of attics are obvious.

Before beginning your project, make sure you wear protective clothing. For example, a good pair of long pants and long sleeves. Don’t leave any exposed skin. Avoid wearing hard hats because they can interfere with your work. Knitted caps and hooded sweatshirts are excellent options for protecting the head. A pair of treaded shoes are a better choice than large boots. A quality N95 mask can protect the respiratory system and prevent you from breathing dangerous air in the attic.

While you can easily install plywood to cover attic floors, you may want to consider purchasing special plastic decking to fill in the gaps. These plastic sheets are much lighter than plywood and can be dropped into gaps in attics without damaging them. The right type of decking will increase storage space and make your attic safer. You’ll be surprised at how much more use you can get from your attic. You’ll be glad you did.

Before you install any insulation in your attic, make sure it isn’t blocking the eaves. Make sure the insulation extends past the top of the exterior wall to cover the top of the joists. You can also install drywall if your attic is floored. However, you might have to replace some floorboards to maintain the stiffness of the ceiling. In either case, it’s important to check the ceiling to see if it needs any repair.

Typically, the ceiling of an attic is made of two types of materials: rafter lumber and joists. Rafter lumber is used in homes built in the last twenty years and is less expensive than rafters. A rafter and joist structure is sturdy enough to support a ceiling, but it is not a good choice for heavy boxes. However, this method requires finishing. It isn’t as attractive as finished rafter and joist systems.

Attics can be finished or unfinished depending on their location. If your attic is habitable, it will be considered a finished room by appraisers. Otherwise, it can be used for storage. Then, if you’d like to turn it into a bedroom or an office, you’ll need to renovate it. You can also use unfinished attics as storage space. If you don’t want to renovate it, you can always add a bathroom or add a bedroom.

Ventilation is crucial in attics to maintain healthy indoor air quality. Unfinished attics tend to be hotter than the rest of the house. A ventilated attic will keep the air cooler and will prevent moisture from entering the house. The warm air that collects in an unfinished attic can lead to ice dams. If your attic is fully finished, you can install a ventilation system to keep the temperature comfortable.

Another important step is to consider how the ceiling of the attic can be sealed. If there are cracks in the top plate of the plywood collar, it can cause air leaks. If these cracks are not sealed, you should use a polyethylene sleeve or rigid board insulation to prevent air from leaking into the attic. These are two major mistakes that can cause costly damage. To avoid any of these mistakes, it’s important to regularly check the attic for signs of water damage.