How do I make my attic usable?


Quote from Youtube video: So this is going to be a good size that we can work with if you've ever tried to take a big piece of plywood up into your attic and work with that it's a lot harder. Plus these are tongue and groove.

What is an unconditioned attic?





An unvented attic system relies on an air seal and no vents to make the attic a conditioned space. By using an air-impermeable insulation, like spray foam, on the roof deck will stop any air movement.

What do you put in the attic to keep it warm?

One of the best ways to ensure a warm space is by insulating the walls of your home. This is especially necessary in your attic. If you dislike the thought of exposed insulation on your walls, you can always cover this space with another layer of drywall to blend it seamlessly with the rest of your home.

How do you seal a drafty attic?

Quote from the video:
Quote from Youtube video: The attic is freezing cold because it's vented. So we want to add insulation to those ducts and spray foam is one way that we do that here at dr. Energy Saver.

Is it OK to put plywood in the attic?

An attic can be floored with 1/2″ CDX plywood, if it is being used only for storage. However, the same can’t be said if you are planning on using the space as a living space. In that case, you will need to use 3/4″ thick plywood. As an alternative, 3/4” OSB can be used.

Can I convert my attic into living space?





When converting an attic to a living space, it must meet the same building requirements as the other rooms in your home. To meet most building codes your attic should: Have at least 7 feet of vertical clearance in the majority of the room, be a minimum of 7 feet wide and have at least 70 square feet of space available.

Are conditioned attics more efficient?

Conditioned unvented attics have significant advantages over unconditioned vented attics. The building enclosure can be made significantly more airtight much easier by constructing an unvented attic, thereby making the building much more energy efficient.

How does a conditioned attic work?

Quote from the video:
Quote from Youtube video: One of the biggest return on your investments of a conditioned attic is that it helps regulate the Attic from temperature fluctuations and that results in reduced heating.

Should attic be conditioned?

The loss of conditioned air increases heating and cooling demand. Humid indoor air that escapes into the attic can condense on cold roof sheathing, resulting in potential moisture problems. Warm air that escapes into the attic in winter can warm the roof deck and increase the risk of ice dams.

Is air sealing the attic worth it?



Is air sealing worth it? Yes. Getting your home air sealed is a worthwhile investment—one that pays off in energy efficiency, comfort, and your home’s value. According to Energy Star, the EPA estimates savings of 15% on heating and cooling costs by properly air sealing and adding insulation.

Should an attic be sealed?

Air sealing an attic goes a long way to maintain your home. Besides keeping energy costs low, it’ll mainly help to keep your home feeling comfortable long-term. Without a sealed attic, hot air can get inside the living space (heat gain) during warmer months and get outside (heat loss) during colder months.

How are attics ventilated?

Attic Ventilation Basics



Intake vents are located at the lowest part of the roof under the eaves, high on the sides of the house within a gable, or as shingled intake vents that are installed on a low part of the roof. These vents allow cool air to enter the attic.

What happens if your attic is not vented?



And if you don’t vent correctly, all that warm, wet heat is going to sit around and take up space in your attic. The more heat that seeps out into your attic, whether it’s through poorly sealed openings (things like recessed lighting or the attic entry) or through general physics, the cooler the rooms feel.

How much does it cost to ventilate an attic?

The national average cost to install an attic vent is between $300 and $550, with most people paying around $475 for the installation.

Can attic be over ventilated?

The two main dangers associated with too much ventilation involve roof damage and increased utility bills. If you have too much air circulating, your roof will collect moisture causing damages that will weaken spots and then cause leaking.

How many vents should an attic have?

How Many Vents Do I Need? The general rule of thumb in these situations is of roughly one vent per every 300 square feet of attic area if the attic has a vapor barrier. If not, there should be one vent for every 150 square feet. You will need to have 1 square foot of vent area for every 150 square feet of attic space.

How do I lower the temperature in my attic?



Install electric ventilators and attic fans, which remove hot air from an attic. They have thermostats that turn the fan on at a recommended preset temperature of 100-110 degrees. Alternatively, install passive vents such as gable, soffit and ridge vents, which are openings in the roof that allow hot air to escape.

How can I vent my attic without soffits?

What do you do if your attic doesn’t have soffit vents and you are unable to add them?

  1. Install low gable vents located above the top level of the attic ceiling insulation.
  2. Use “eye-brow” vents that are on the top of the sloping roof surface near the soffit/eave area.
  3. Focus on the other ventilation you have in the attic.


What is an eyebrow vent?

Static vents, also referred to as roof line or eyebrow vents, are metal cylinders with a flashing collar and a hood, which keep the rain out. This type of intake vent is installed by cutting rows of holes along the face of the roof and nailing the vents’ flashing collars to the roof sheathing.

How do I vent my attic with no overhang?



The venting drip edge seems to be the easiest and most common way to go. In most cases, all you have to do is remove about one inch off the top of the fascia (the part that covers the end of the rafters on the roof), install the drip edge, finish with a vent that’s on the top of the roof and you’re good to go.