Install carpeting with a thick foam pad. Cost: $750 for midrange carpet, pad, installation. Add an extra layer of subfloor to the attic before the carpet is installed. A 5/8-inch plywood subfloor helps block sound and provides additional stiffness that prevents floor framing from squeaking.
Can I put carpet in the attic?
Carpet does wonders to reduce noise in an attic space and the rooms directly beneath. This can be wall-to-wall carpet or carpet tiles. It can also offer a soft and comfortable floor for a child to play on.
What type of flooring is best for attics?
A tiled floor is the best option for storage in the attic. We aren’t talking about smooth kitchen or bathroom tiles, but rather plastic or rubber tiles. These are a lot less expensive of an option and are very easy to install. Look for tiles that are water-resistant and scratch-resistant.
Can my attic support my weight?
If you’re talking about the floor of an attic, then it may, or may not, support the weight of a person. We’ll tell you how you can figure it out. If you’re talking about walking on the roof and therefore relying on the roof truss and attic to support you, it highly likely that the roof will support you.
Can you use carpet as insulation?
Perhaps that’s not as mad as it sounds: waste textiles – old clothes, curtains, carpets – are the latest materials to be developed into insulation to help save energy and lower utility bills.
Can my attic support a floor?
That begs the question; can my attic support a floor? The answer, in most cases, is a definite yes. Even though it wasn’t put there, the joists supporting your ceiling are quite strong. Putting down flooring won’t stress them any more than the floors in your bedroom, kitchen, or bath.
How can I make my attic space usable?
Access to Attic Storage
If you want to use your attic on a regular basis or to store large items, you may need to enlarge the access opening and install an access ladder or drop-down stairs. If the attic has the potential to become a regular living space, talk with a contractor about adding a fixed stairway.
Can you put flooring over attic insulation?
No matter what type of flooring you install, don’t compress the insulation in between the ceiling joists. This reduces the effectiveness of the insulation and, thus, the energy efficiency of the home. Build up the height of the joists prior to installing flooring when the insulation reaches the tops of the joists.
How much does it cost to put flooring in attic?
Adding flooring to your attic is a relatively low-cost project, running about $5.12 per square foot, about $190 for a 10’x 10′ area, if you do it yourself. Hiring a contractor to do the job will roughly triple the cost, as you have to pay for their time and labor.
Is it OK to put plywood over insulation in attic?
Once the insulation is down, you can turn your attic into valuable storage space by covering the floor with plywood. It will also make the attic a safer place in which to walk.
Do carpets keep a house warmer?
Carpet flooring is actually an effective insulating material that can help maintain the heat in a room. While it won’t create any warmth, it will help to retain warmer temperatures. Even if the air in a room is cool, carpets will also prevent the floor from feeling cold to bare feet.
How much does carpet insulate?
When there is a difference in temperature between the indoor air and that under the floor, carpet can help reduce energy costs in heating and cooling. Uninsulated floors account for 10-20% of a home’s heat loss.
What can old carpet be used for?
10 Uses For Your Old Carpet
- Recycle Your Old Carpet. …
- Use Carpet Scraps To Move Heavy Furniture. …
- Get Unstuck With Carpet Strips. …
- Cushion Your Knees While Working. …
- Keep Your Floors Clean. …
- Use Old Carpet To Keep Pets Happy. …
- Protect Your Doors From Damage. …
- Clean Lint Off Of Window Screens.
How do I reinforce my attic floor?
How to Reinforce an Attic Floor with Sister Joists
- Clear the Joist Spaces. Pull out all insulation and any debris from all of the joist spaces so you can see the full length of each joist, including where it meets the exterior walls. …
- Measure the Old Joists. …
- Cut the Sister Joists. …
- Install the Sister Joists. …
- Install Blocking.
What do you use for attic flooring?
Joist Spacing and Attic Use
You need 3/4-inch plywood. The thinner plywood is acceptable when the joist spacing is 16 inches. If you plan to finish the floor in the attic and turn the room into a living space, however, you should always use 3/4-inch plywood.
How do you determine if an attic can be finished?
Every attic is different, but a few established norms and practices will guide your renovation. Follow the “rule of 7s”: Enforcement varies, but codes typically say that at least half of a finished attic must be at least 7 feet high, and that this area must be a minimum of 7 feet wide and 70 square feet.
Does finishing an attic add value?
Remodeling your attic can boost your home’s resale value—and make it more functional for you now.
Can you use an attic as a bedroom?
Square Footage
If you’ve converted an attic and want to count it as a bedroom, it has to have at least 70 square feet of space. This is large enough to fit a bed and a small dresser. While a 7 x 10 bedroom is not spacious, it would fit the legal requirements in most locations.
Why are attics unfinished?
The goal with an unfinished attic is to seal it off from the main living space below. This means you should insulate between and over the floor joists. Don’t forget to also insulate the attic hatch.
Are attics a waste of space?
Almost all homes have some attic space. Despite how it’s generally used, it is often not intended for storage. It is meant as a place to house the insulation that separates the living space from the outside.
Why are there no attics in California?
Basements aren’t typically a feature in California homes, because of the lack of a frost line (the depth that frost penetrates the soil). Builders typically use basements in colder climates to ensure this doesn’t wreck the foundation of the house, meaning they aren’t necessary in California’s warmer climate.
