7 Things You Should Never Store in Your Basement or Attic
- Delicate fabrics. …
- Furniture and décor made from natural materials. …
- Important papers. …
- Food (unless you store it carefully) …
- Electronics. …
- Candles. …
- Anything flammable (near heat sources)
Thereof Can every attic be converted? Gilbert says that while most attics can, technically, be converted under current building regulations, 95 per cent of the work he has done falls into the more popular and cheaper option: an attic room that is considered a storage rather than a habitable space.
How much weight can you put in attic? The weight is supported by the joists A 10 pounds per square foot live load can be handled by an attic that isn’t designed for storage. 20 pounds per square foot live load can be handled by an attic with limited storage.
Similarly, Is the attic too hot for storage?
You never want to store temperature-sensitive possessions like photo albums in your attic. The high heat and humidity will ruin the photos and similar items such as posters and paintings.
Is it safe to put cardboard boxes in the attic?
Cardboard Boxes
Those cardboard boxes stacked up in your attic could become a veritable buffet for mice and bugs if you’re not careful. “Pests are attracted to the cardboard and to the glue used in construction of the box,” says Santoro. “Boxes also break down and disintegrate, which will attract pests even more.”
How do I know if my attic can be converted? 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.
Does a finished attic count as square footage?
Spaces like garages, three-season porches and unfinished basements or attics are not included in the square footage of a house. But if a basement or attic has been “finished,” then the space may be included in the home’s square footage if it also meets ceiling height requirements.
Are attic conversions worth it? Is an attic conversion worth it? Attic Conversions not only provide you with additional living space, home office space, or even an additional bedroom, but they can also add long term value to your home. Converting your attic is also a far cheaper alternative to looking for a new, bigger home.
Is it safe to walk on attic?
How do I know how much weight my attic can hold? Ways To Determine How Much Weight Your Attic Can Hold
- Research Your Attic’s Building Material. When it comes to the amount of weight a certain area of floor can accommodate, you’ll need to understand the capabilities of its materials. …
- Analyze the Floor’s Structure. …
- Inspect for Framework Damage.
Is it OK to put plywood in the attic? If your attic joists won’t bear the weight necessary to finish out a living space but the engineer cleared them to support floor decking for light storage, you can install ½-inch plywood or oriented strand board (OSB) in 4-foot-by-8-foot panels over existing 16-inch OC joists.
Can a hot attic cause a fire? Heating Elements
As heat rises, attics are already hot places, especially in the summer when the temperature outside skyrockets. Your heating, ventilation, and cooling (HVAC) may become overheated and catch fire because of the excessive heat.
What is the average attic temperature?
Ideally, your attic should not exceed 130 degrees Fahrenheit during the summer. Problems related to attics hotter than 130 degrees: It will make it harder to cool your home in the summer.
Is it OK to store Christmas lights in the attic?
Also, never store your lights in an attic space. The plastic components of all Christmas lights and installation hardware is susceptible to aging and degrading in extreme attic temperatures – whether you live in sunny Texas or up North!
Will plastic melt in attic? Heat also can melt cheap or old plastics, even in a well-ventilated attic. … Even a little bit of water that gets into the attic can rot wood, leather, and create mold and mildew. Unless you’re sure the space is sealed up tight, keep those products out of the attic.
Is it safe to store a TV in the attic? VCRs, TVs, smartphones, laptops and games consoles – any delicate electronics – shouldn’t be kept where there are big fluctuations in temperature and high humidity levels such as an attic. Moisture can easily collect inside and damage them.
Can I use my attic as an office?
Revamping your attic to turn it into an office space can be a big project, but one with a big payoff. With its out-of-the-way location, your attic makes for an ideal office. Just ensure that you stay within the building codes of your community to guarantee a home office that’s up to code, comfortable, and functional.
Does attic conversion require planning permission? Most loft conversions are considered permitted development, which means you won’t need to get planning permisson as long as the building work fits certain criteria. So, if you’re looking to get a simple conversion with roof windows, you generally don’t need to worry (but it’s best to check).
Can a finished attic be considered a bedroom?
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.
Can a finished attic be a bedroom? 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.
What counts as a finished attic?
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.
What is a partially finished attic? Partially finished space applies to attic areas equal to 20% – 39% of the home’s main floor square footage. In A-frame homes, which feature long and steeply sloped roofs, the portion of the attic with enough headroom for living space may be quite small.
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