The Press-Dispatch
Issue link: https://www.ifoldsflip.com/i/1463869
The Press-Dispatch Spring Home & Garden Wednesday, April 6, 2022 F-1 From residential to commercial, there's a zero-turn model for everyone. The Spartan line is built better and stronger than the competition and is made in the USA. Four models available, each in a variety of configurations, or customize yours. THE Strongest Lineup IN THE INDUSTRY RZ SERIES RT SERIES AMERICAN-MADE IN BATESVILLE, ARKANSAS Handcrafted with American steel with American muscle by American workers. SEE THEM TODAY AT... 30 INDIANA ST, JASPER (right behind Shoney's) 812-482-3366 • www.ajcycle.net Tuesday-Friday: 9am to 6pm • Saturday: 9am to 2pm • Closed Sunday & Monday AJ CYCLE Factors to consider before converting an attic At the onset of the COVID-19 pan- demic, many homeowners suddenly found themselves in need of more us- able square footage in their homes. Required to work from home due to social distancing recommendations, millions of working professionals suddenly found themselves setting up shop at kitchen tables or islands, in alcoves, garages, or even walk-in closets. Those makeshift offices were never supposed to be permanent, but as companies loosen workplace poli- cies and embrace full remote or hy- brid working arrangements, profes- sionals are seeking more permanent home office solutions. Home additions are a possibility for homeowners who need more us- able square footage, but add-ons may not be the right option for everyone. If adding on won't work, homeowners may want to look up ... at their attics. Attics with ample space can make for ideal home offices, as they're away from the hustle and bustle of a home's main floor. That can make it easier to concentrate when everyone is in the house and reduce the likelihood that video calls with colleagues and clients will be interrupted by kids and pets. Attic conversions are not always possible, and the following are three important factors homeowners may need to consider before they can go forward with such projects. 1. Dimensions: Both the renova- tion experts at This Old House and the real estate experts at UpNest indi- cate that at least half of a finished attic must be a minimum of seven feet high and seven feet wide and 70 square feet. Requirements may differ de- pending on where homeowners live, but that 7-7-70 guideline is generally the minimum requirement. An attic that fails to meet such requirements won't necessarily be a lost cause, but it might be costly to make adjustments that ultimately align with local codes. 2. Access: Access is another as- pect that must adhere to local safe- ty guidelines. Many attics are acces- sible only through pulldown ladders, but that will have to change if home- owners repurpose their attic spac- es. A staircase that complies with local laws will need to be installed, and contractors can work with home- owners to build that and estimate the cost. Homeowners who simply want to put desks in their attics without going with full-fledged conversions are urged to adhere to local access requirements anyway, as they're in- tended to ensure residents can safe- ly escape attics in the case of a fire or another emergency. 3. Climate control: Attics are con- verted to provide residents with more livable space. Converted space is on- ly livable if the climate within the at- tic can be controlled so it's cool in the summer and warm in the winter. An existing HVAC unit needs to effi- ciently heat and cool an extra room. If it can't, bills might spike because the rest of the home likely won't be as comfortable, forcing homeowners to adjust thermostats to offset that discomfort. That also could affect the unit's life expectancy. Before go- ing forward with an attic renovation, homeowners should contact HVAC professionals to determine if attic spaces can be serviced with the exist- ing units and ductwork, or if an alter- native arrangement must be worked out to make the spaces livable. Attic conversions can be great ways to make existing spaces more livable. Homeowners considering such proj- ects should pay attention to three im- portant variables as they try to deter- mine if attic conversions will work for them.