Don’t you wish you could put all that wasted space in your roof cavity to good use? If there’s enough room up there, you can. The cost of attic renovations may seem steep, but if you’re paying a storage company every month it can be very cost effective.
However, there are some things to keep in mind when you want turn your attic space into storage space.
Accessing Your Roof Cavity
The first thing you’ll need to do is provide better access than your current access space. You’ll need a ladder or steps, depending on how much room you have and how often you’ll be going up there. Attic ladders that sit flush with the ceiling when not in use are a great space saving idea.
You’ll also need to make the access space bigger and sturdier before you start renovating anything else, because you need to get tools, equipment, and building materials into the roof cavity.
Walking on the Ceiling
Assuming you carry out regular roof maintenance and your roof cavity is in good condition, you can’t climb into your roof cavity and put weight on the ceiling as it will eventually collapse. You need to determine if your support beams can take any extra weight, and then you can add a sturdy floor over the top of your ceiling and insulation. This is best done by as professional builder to avoid damaging your roof and ceiling, and to ensure your project complies with all building regulations.
Ventilation
You should already have some sort of ventilation in your roof cavity to take away hot, moist air, and help your home to maintain a comfortable temperature. If you’re only using the space for storage, your existing roof ventilation may be sufficient, but get expert advice before you move forward on your space saving project.
Light
You’ll need some light up there, and you’ll need a power outlet or two when you’re doing the actual renovating work. A qualified electrician can easily install lights and power outlets permanently to solve both problems at once.
You could install skylights to make use of daylight, and if your skylights also open, you’ll have added ventilation.
Get Creative
If you have a large house with a steep roof there’s probably enough space in your attic to create an entire new room. Of course, there’s a big difference between renovating your attic for storage and renovating for living space, but if you have the room, why not?
You’ll need to insulate the wall panels and your new roof cavity above the new room to make it comfortable, and more ventilation and a source of natural light will add to comfort levels. Consider having a permanent staircase built to access your room, and add style and value to your home.
Contact Air Roofing
If your roof cavity is big enough, there’s no reason why a bit of planning and creativity can’t turn it into useful space for storage or living, as long as you consult a roofing expert before you start to renovate. Call Air Roofing on 08 6166 0545, or contact us online for everything you need to know about your roof.
