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Q: Besides loss of storage space, are there any concerns with finishing an attic?

My husband and I have a fairly large attic over our house. We would be very interested in finishing part of this space to create a home office / guest bedroom (although it would be more of an office with a fold out couch : ) ). Besides the loss of storage space, are there any other downsides we should think about? Thank you!

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  • A: Consult a structural engineer



    Because ceiling joists are not meant to be walked on or support furniture, you need more support like replacing those joists with at least 2x8's on 16" center. Then you will add a subfloor. But you do need to consult with structural engineer to verify these details because all homes are different.

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  • A: attic finishing



    Yes, please consult someone regarding the size and span of the lumber used for the ceiling joists (attic floor system). In many cases, this lumber will need to be beefed up somewhat to accommodate the potential load of items that will be in this space.

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    Jan 25, 2021

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