Every Nashville homeowner wants to feel confident about the safety of his/her family. Homeowners know the bathroom can be the most dangerous room in the house. In addition to the risk of personal accidents and injuries, electrical receptacles and plumbing could pose a risk of damage to the home itself.

If your Nashville bathrooms have not been updated in ten to fifteen years (or more), a safety update in your bathrooms might be a wise and timely investment. Do you have the same electrical outlets beside your bathroom sink that has been there since the house was built thirty years ago? Have your plumbing fixtures, pipes and fittings been upgraded or updated since the house was built? If not, it might be time for a safety upgrade.

Here are some of the basic updates and upgrades you might want to make in your bathrooms:

Change electrical outlets and switches to moisture-proof models, especially if they are near sources of water (sink, toilet, tub or shower)

Install GFCI (Ground-fault circuit interrupters) on all electrical outlets in bathrooms, especially if they are near sources of water. These will prevent short circuiting if water is splashed on them.

Change all faucets to anti-scald models. This will protect you and your children from unexpected harm.

Install showers and tubs with non-slip tray surfaces or install other non-slip materials to make these fixtures safer.

Be sure any steps or platforms leading to tubs or showers have non-slip surfaces and that these areas are brightly lit.

Use safety glass in any windows or doors that are near a tub or shower to prevent further injury if someone slips.

Either don’t put a separate light in the shower, or be sure to use lighting fixtures designed to be used in high-moisture areas. These are designed to protect the lighting and the electrical connections.

Install bright lights around the tub and shower so water on the floor will be easier to see and falls can be prevented.

Home theater and entertainment systems are gaining a lot of popularity in the do-it-yourself and remodeling world. Having a home theater can bring a richness and unprecedented satisfaction to home entertainment. With a room dedicated to music, games and movies, a home can be given a new recreational focal point, a place for friends and family to gather and spend time together. Imagine having a large screen projection unit in front of short rows of comfortable theater chairs, with surround sound, lights on dimmers, and a popcorn machine to boot. All of these things are possible and relatively affordable custom renovations. This home theater primer will explore some of the first steps a homeowner should take when considering a home entertainment remodeling job.

What room will house the entertainment system? The room that homeowners most commonly convert to a custom home entertainment center is the basement. No matter which room you choose, it should be a room that can provide a comfortable setting while still allowing for light and sound control. For a successful home theater, all direct and ambient light needs to be controlled for the sake of optimizing the picture quality of movie screenings. Beyond light control, the color of the room, including the ceiling and floor, will have a significant impact on the movie viewing quality of the room. For rich and full surround sound, the dimensions of the room will need to be analyzed. Different room shapes impact the flow of sound and the quality of bass sounds. The room will most likely need sound treatments to optimize is acoustical quality. Some techniques used to insulate and optimize home entertainment rooms for sound are acoustic ceiling tiles, sound absorber panels and bass traps.

The best way to begin a custom home theater job is to get professional advice. Even if you are an accomplished do-it-yourself renovator, a full room home entertainment system is a unique building challenge. To get the most out of the renovation, hire a licensed contractor with home theater experience. Or, conversely, search out a licensed home theater installer with a strong construction foundation. Most reputable contractors will provide a free on-site consultation. They will come to the room you want to convert and assess it personally, making a list of strong points, weak points, and design options for the homeowner. Also, a professional contractor/installer will have an eye for the small details you may overlook while imagining the renovation. In this way, a homeowner can get the clearest possible picture of the project’s scope and cost.

Professionals consider many factors when installing a home entertainment system to the scale of an entire room. Some of the considerations are the size and acoustical properties of the room in question. The contractor will also note where the audience is intended to sit, where components will be located, and whether the room will benefit most from in-wall speakers or stand alone speakers. Depending on size of the room and the homeowner’s budget, a professional will help decide if a projection system or a large screen TV is the best viewing option. Lastly, the renovated home theater will most likely need additional ventilation to siphon off the extra heat off all the electronic equipment and viewers’ bodies.

Of course a home theater can be constructed without the guidance of a professional contractor. A seasoned do-it-yourselfer, with a little help and patience, can produce a home theater to be proud of without going over budget. Home theaters do not have to be specialized viewing areas. There are two kinds of home entertainment systems. A room can be converted for the exclusive purpose of screening movies, with a big screen, big sound, and total darkness. On the other hand, in the interest of versatility and family interactions a home entertainment system can be a more general design that incorporates family room traits. In the latter version of a home entertainment room, friends and family can gather to enjoy HDTV, watch movies, listen to music, and play video games together.

In the end, a well built home theater or entertainment system can add a lot of excitement and recreational options to life at home. Though it is recommended to hire the services of a professional, do-it-yourselfers have constructed impressive home theaters. Armed with this primer, get out there and do some extra homework. You’ll find a home theater or a multi-purpose home entertainment system may not be as far off as you think. Find a contractor with good communication skills that will come assess your space and give you helpful guidance on design, construction and budget.

The recent torrential rains and catastrophic flooding that tore through middle Tennessee have shown us how Nature can wreak havoc on homes and property. Such storms are emergency situations that take away the luxury of planning far ahead. We must act quickly and decisively to control and minimize damages. Violent storms can cause damage in places that people do not even think to look. Storm damage may be mild or severe – from a few shingles torn off the roof to a tree falling on the structure.

During powerful storms, folks must keep a sharp watch out for threats like high winds, airborne rocks, power lines, and errant tree limbs. Any damages from storm related wind, water and debris needs to be cleaned out and repaired as soon as possible. Storm damage can rip off siding and roofing or cause problems that are more difficult to immediately notice. That is why it is important to get your home inspected by a qualified professional soon after any violent weather in your area. The longer damages are left untended, the more serious and expensive those damages become.

The thing that makes storm damage so formidable is how pervasive it can be. A nasty storm can affect every part of a house, including insulation, electrical, plumbing, drywall and even flooring. Small leaks ripped into a house by a storm, or a wet ceiling from a leaky roof may seem like things that can wait once the rains have passed, but that is a mistake. Also, inspect the home for any burst or damaged plumbing, which may not be noticeable, but can soak the infrastructure of a house right under a homeowner’s nose. Just because damage may not visually appear severe does not mean that it can be overlooked. In fact, if storm moistened materials are not promptly removed from a structure and repaired or replaced, that moisture can exacerbate decay and foster the growth of mold and other microbes.

If yours is one of the tens of thousands of Tennessee homes that were affected by the recent storms and flooding, make sure to act quickly and have your home inspected for storm damages. Call an established local contractor, someone with industry knowledge that can facilitate and expedite the cleaning and repair process. After a storm, some typical immediate services must be performed to shore up initial damages. These include debris removal, tarping roofs, emergency board-ups, emergency electrical and plumbing work, and tree removal. After immediate threats and damages are tended to, it is time to call in insurance companies and contractors to assess and remaining problems, like roofs and siding, to begin lasting repairs.

If you are one of the thousands of homeowners in middle Tennessee whose property has suffered damage from the recent storms and flooding, here are some safety tips to help you bounce back from as soon as possible. Do not climb on your roof after a storm to inspect for damage. The roof is one of the most damage prone parts of a home during heavy storms. Lots of damage is difficult to see with an untrained eye and climbing up on a roof could lead to more extensive damage or even personal injury. If you see any downed power lines or otherwise exposed electrical wiring, call the fire department right away. If you need to dispose a fallen tree, consider hiring a professional to do the dirty work. Trying to improperly move a fallen tree can lead to even more damage to property.

Fortunately, middle Tennessee is blessed with seasoned, qualified builders and repairmen. As the flood waters began to recede, a fleet of contractors, builders, haulers, and volunteer clean up crews sprung into action addressing the devastation in Davidson County and the surrounding areas. Bringing their personal expertise to bear on the storm tattered regions of Tennessee, construction professionals and dedicated volunteer citizens have already made great strides in the clean up of Davidson County. Along miles and miles of roads, piles of debris have been excavated from homes and laid out for waste disposal. Armed with extensive knowledge of storm damage and equipped with the best machinery for the job, Tennessee’s workers and volunteers turned out in droves to aid with precisely some of the cleanup and damage control described above. Now the time is come for rebuilding Nashville and they are most certainly meeting the challenge head on.

Insurance restorations are never voluntary. When a property owner is restoring or renovating their property under the auspices of an insurance company, it is happening because of a human accident or some recent unpleasantness on Nature’s part. If a tree falls onto a home, a storm rips up a roof, or a fire is let loose in the house, severe damages often ensue and those damages are frequently covered by insurance policies. Middle Tennessee has just weathered such a natural disaster and homeowners across the state are turning to their insurance policies to see how much of this devastation is covered. Once the toughest times have passed, the real work begins. Cleaning and repairing a home that has been hit by an insurable calamity can be a long, uncertain, and uncomfortable process. This brief guide to insurance restoration and remodeling is designed to give readers the basics, in terms of insurance company practices and choosing the right repair professional for the job.

Once a claim is opened, an insurance company will often suggest contractors and specialists that the insured can use to repair their property. What consumers need to know is that they are free to choose any contractor they see fit. This is an important foothold to maintain when speaking to an insurance adjuster. The insurance adjuster is your liason with your insurance company, and more importantly, the person who will decide what needs to be repaired, what it costs, and how much of it is covered by the insurance company. Insurance companies and adjusters keep a list of businesses, contractors, electricians, etc., that they have dealt with in the past. An insurance company will always prefer you use a company off of their list of associated businesses.

Just because an insurance company trusts a particular builder does not mean you have to. Make sure to kindly take the insurance company’s word for it, then ask for a little time to do your own research. There is nothing untoward about such a request, so shop around confidently for a contractor in your area with experience performing the necessary services. If the company you end up settling on happens to be on the insurance adjuster’s list, just as well, but do your own homework.

When searching for a building company, be on the lookout for a contractor that supplies a range of services. The more services a contractor provides in their operation, the more speed and traceable accountability a consumer gets while working with them. The possible variability of insurance covered damage is another good reason to go with a contractor that offers many services. Most of the time, homeowners that are undergoing an insurance restoration need the services of a dry wall contractor, a roofer, an electrician, and any number of other specialized tradesmen. By choosing and established general contractor, capable of performing and overseeing all of the jobs, you guarantee that your repair will have the qualified builders that it needs.

Find a company that is sufficiently sized, small enough to pay attention to details, yet big enough to offer competitive pricing. Make sure, of course, the builder you choose is licensed and bonded. Just as importantly, look for a contractor that is a good communicator, an experienced professional that will be realistic about plans and communicate clearly when unforeseen changes arise, because they will. Look for a building company that has worked extensively with insurance companies. The right contractor will know the ins and outs of insurance practices and the nuances of damage. A lot of damages do not show on first inspection, either because they are subtle or because they are poorly lit. For example, insurance adjusters often miss minute damages because they do not have the trained eyes to find them the way a seasoned insurance restoration contractor would. In a situation where insurance companies are trying to economize on the repair, the right contractor will insist upon thoroughness and quality. This is why it’s a good idea to find a contractor that is an old hand at dealing with insurance companies.

In the end, insurance restoration jobs are similar to any other renovation. The big difference is that rather than financing the renovation themselves, homeowners must depend on the assessment of an insurance adjuster who is in control of the money flow into your repair job. Searching independently for a trusted contractor gives the property owner an added element of leverage and advocacy when it comes to implementing the best quality restoration.

No home is complete without the right insulation. Though insulation is not a very visible part of the home, it is impossible to build a modern home without it. The right insulation in your home can go a long way toward increasing your family’s comfort, saving you significant energy costs, and preserving our environment.
Different types of insulation work toward some of these goals better than others. Some insulation that is better for the environment is not as effective at temperature control. Your insulation needs will vary depending on the climate and temperature range where you live.

What kind of home insulation types are available out there? Which one is best for your needs? Which ones are the most cost effective? This guide to the different types of insulation will answer those questions and more. It will start by outlining the most common materials used to insulate a home. It will also discuss the pros and cons of these insulation types, based on climate and expense. This guide covers three traditional materials for home insulation and introduces the wide variety of green materials available to reduce the carbon footprint of traditional home insulation materials.

Asbestos
Asbestos is highly recognized but no longer used. Asbestos is a good, fireproof thermal insulator, but it causes cancers. Asbestos was banned in 1989 for its carcinogenic qualities. Most uses of asbestos are prohibited, unless performed under strict regulations.

Urea formaldehyde foam insulation (UFFI)
UFFI is another culprit in the green movement. In the 1970s, UFFI caused high formaldehyde emissions levels in over ten thousand homes. UFFI is generally considered one of the unhealthier insulations, especially if improperly applied.

Fiber glass
Fiber glass is a cheap and effective insulating and weatherproofing material. Fiber glass is made from glass heated to high tempretures and treated with boron and a phenol formaldehyde binder for fireproofing and texture. The glass is then spun into a wool-like blanket material, typically pink or yellow in color.

Fiber glass insulation is readily available and is easy to cut and install. It is important to remember, when working with fiber glass, to wear protective gear, including gloves and clothes that cover all of your skin. Also, fiber glass must not be moistened or compressed. To ensure proper insulation, all ends should be butted together flush and firm. Fiber glass has its share of problems, too. If it gets wet it can transform into a breeding ground for microorganisms. Fiber glass can cause severe skin allergies. Also the phenol formaldehyde binder may release offensive ammonia-like or dead-fish odors.

The federal government has made strides ensuring fiber glass be more ecologically responsible. The US Environmental Protection Agency requires all large fiber glass manufacturers to use at least 20% recycled glass in the production process. This brings up another important sustainability fact about fiber glass. The boron used to make debris glass flame retardant and more flexible is a relatively rare element. Almost all boron comes from only two large deposits in the whole world, so it should not be over used.

Mineral Wool, Including Rock Wool
Mineral wool and rock wool are the once common predecessors to fiber glass. Rather than heating, treating and spinning glass into insulating fiberous mats, manufacturers use iron ore slag or natural volcanic rock. Because of the source material for mineral wools, they automatically contain an average of 75% recycled industrial content. Mineral wools are excellent insulators of heat and are very fire resistant.

Cellulose
Cellulose is a strong contender in the green home improvement world. Recycled cellulose is getting a lot of attention as an effective insulating material. Cellulose insulation for homes is made up of 4/5 post-consumer newspaper. The remaining 20% of cellulose insulation is made of fire retardant chemicals and sometimes acrylic binders. In the long term, the biggest disadvantage of cellulose insulation is its susceptibility to moisture. If cellulose insulation gets wet, the water can leech out the fire retardant borates, weakening the insulation’s fireproofing ability.

Textile
Textile insulation is made from mill scraps of cotton and polyester. This fiber mixture is then fluffed up with shredded plastic for volume and treated again with borates to prevent pest infestations and retard fire. Cotton and textile insulation is more expensive than traditional fiberglass, but better for human health and the environment.

Straw
Some green builders are drawing from history and using bales of straw for insulating exterior walls. Straw is actually quite effective, but it requires special precautions to prevent moisture and insect infestations.

Foam insulations
There are many types of foam insulation compounds, including polyisocyanurate, polyurethane, and polystrene. Foam insulations can cause irritation of the nose, eyes, and respiratory system. Some foams used to be blown with chlorofluorocarbons (CFC), but have gradually been replaced by hydrochloro-fluorocarbons (HCFC). HCFC are not quite as damaging to the Earth’s ozone layer. Some foam insulation is not blown, and therefore does not need CFCs and HCFCs for application. An example of this kind of foam is expanded polystrene, or EPS. EPS is foam insulation in board stock form laid into wall cavities, rather than sprayed into them.

It’s clear that most insulation comes with some risk to the environment. As time and technology move on, more ecologically sound and effective insulation choices are sure to become available. Since building without insulation is impossible, a homeowner’s best bet is to get educated and demand insulation solutions and materials that will suit the consumer and help the environment.

Countertops are one of the most prevalent features of kitchen space. Because they are such a central part of kitchens, the size, color and material of countertops can really spruce it up.

Kitchen remodeling is a large and important job for any homeowner. Kitchens attract the most traffic of any room in a home. With that in mind, it is a good idea to choose high quality components when outfitting your kitchen.

What is the best material to use for kitchen countertops? Rather than try to cover them all, this guide to kitchen countertops deals specifically with two materials. We will weigh the pros and cons of two different materials that have good reputations for countertop quality. Those materials are granite and richlite. Granite is a classic stone component. While Richlite, like paperstone and other such products, is a 20th century synthetic material made from pressed and baked paper fiber.

Granite: Pros and Cons
Granite is king of the hill in terms of kitchen countertops. When a homeowner doesn’t have to make any other considerations – like price – granite is the material of choice. Granite sets the bar for kitchen elegance, functionality, and beauty. The beauty of this age old stone enhances the beauty of even very modest kitchens. Granite is a countertop that will not depreciate in value. In fact, granite countertops are considered home improvements that increase the overall value of a home. Granite is sanitary, being resistant to bacterial contaminants. Granite is also earth-formed stone, created from heat and pressure, so it can handle hot pots and pans. Furthermore, granite is easy to clean with mild detergent and warm water. Granite comes in thousands of colors and is nearly as hard as diamond. Granite is so hard, that it will dull knives if you cut directly onto the stone.

On the other hand, granite is expensive. It is true, as granite becomes more widespread it comes down in price. Granite is a porous stone, so it requires some maintenance. Some types of granite absorb stains if they are not sealed periodically. For optimal stain resistance granite must be cleaned and sealed one or two times per year. If you seal granite before cleaning off a stain, that stain will become permanent. The good news is that newer sealants are very easy to apply, reducing the necessary maintenance time for granite. Because of granite’s hardness, it can crack if it is installed incorrectly or stressed. Because of its weight, granite requires additional labor and structural support to install. Often installation costs significantly more than the material itself. Granite is quite permanant, so if you get tired of the color, tough luck. Removing a granite countertop entails replacing the entire cabinetry. Granite is also naturally variable, with differences of appearance in each slab. If you want a totally uniform look thoughout the kitchen, granite may not supply that uniformity.

Richlite: Pros and Cons
Richlite is a representative brand of composite and recycled materials. Other name brands for paper composites are Paperstone, Shektastone, and EcoTop. Some manufacturers use glass and resin composites, like IceStone and EnviroGlas. The most common composites are made of wood pulp combined with resin, pressed into a slab, and baked into a rock hard solid. Richlite only uses woodpulp from managed forests, so it is eco friendly. Richlite does not need sealing, but rubbing it with an oiled sponge every so often eliminates signs of wear. Richlite ages very well. In that regard it has been compared to leather. It looks great when it’s new, it shows wear while it’s young, then it develops a smoothness and beauty as it ages.

Though Richlite ages very well, it is not scratch resistant. Composites like Richlite will will show wear, but develop a patina over time, achieving a warmth and smoothness that stone can not offer. This composite is heat resistant, but only up to 350 degrees, so taking a pot out of the oven and putting it on the composite countertop may leave a scorch mark. Some colors of Richlite may not be UV stable, so if your countertop area gets a lot of sun, check to see if the color you like will fade in the sunlight.

Of course there are far more than two options available for kitchen counters. The other materials include engineered quartz, kitchen glass, soapstone, laminate, ceramic tile, marble, slate, acrylic and copper. Each of these materials has its pros and cons. When choosing a countertop material, there are many factors to take into account, including price, appearance, and durability. By learning to assess the advantages and disadvantages of the various countertop materials, you can make an informed decision and choose the material that best suits your needs.

A new roof is every homeowners most dreaded home improvement task. Lots of homeowners want to renovate their kitchens or bathrooms, but no homeowner wants to install a new roof. If the roof over your head lasts as long as you own the home, all the better. But that is not always the case. Every 20 or 30 years, sometimes sooner, homes need their roofing either replaced or reinforced.

A homeowner that suspects it is time to install a new roof needs to be sure. In this homeowner’s guide to residential roofing, you will learn some of the basic symptoms of a roof in need of replacement. Followed by that will be a brief outline of the work necessary to properly install a new roof, including the extensive preparations. Also covered are some of the roofing features available like a drip edge and an ice shield. Let’s get to it.

How do you know if it’s time for a new roof?
If your roof is leaking it will be obvious. Stains on the ceiling inside are a tell tale sign. Sometimes, though, a leak in the roof can be repaired locally without the entire roof being replaced. For the big picture, look for a combination of factors including the following:

*Algae growth – Airborne algae produce a dark discoloration on the roof that resembles soot or dirt.

*Curling, blistering, or missing shingles – These can be caused by moisture, poor workmanship, or high winds.

*Damaged flashing – This is caused by drying or cracking on an old roof, improper nailing, or settling of the home over time.

*Buckling – Buckling can happen when the house settles, if new shingles are applied over old ones, or because of poor workmanship. Poor workmanship includes improperly applied felt, wrinkeld underlayment, or lack of spacers between the roof deck and boards.

*Missing granules – Granules naturally wear off of shingles, but if there are so many loose granules that they are filling up your gutters or if the mat underneath is exposed, then your shingles have officially gotten too old.

*Signs of rot – This is more common in organic base shingles. Consider replacing with fiberglass shingles to avoid rot.

What does it take to install a new roof?
A good roofing crew will have a system in place when you order your new roof, including preparation. Without undergoing significant preparation, a homeowner risks the integrity of their new roof. If a roof is poorly prepared, it will quickly develop crack, holes, and eventually leaks.

Typically, the team will take up most of your yard, laying out the new roofing materials. Also they usually pull a dump truck up to the side of the house to throw in all of the old roof detritus that will be torn off and trashed. If you cringe at the thought of a heavy dump truck crushing your lawn, ask your roofer about a new technology called Mr. Buggy, which is a great dump truck alternative. The team will remove all the old shingles and pull out the old nails. At this stage it is time to replace or secure the roof boards. Each roof board should be inspected individually to ensure the future integrity of the new roof.

All debris must be removed from the roof at this point, because demolition will be over. It will be time to begin the actual installation portion of the roofing project. Next the team must install an aluminum drip edge along the eaves of the roof using galvanized nails to prevent rust. After the drip edge, it is wise but not necessary to install an adhesive ice and water sheild. This can be expensive but it is well worth it in wet or cold climates. Some states’ building codes require the ice and water shield, so do your homework.

Then the team will entirely cover the roof area with felt or roofing paper in overlapping rows from the bottom up, fastening it down with roofing tacks. Finally the new shingles are attached, from the bottom corner of the roof up to the very top. Any hips and valleys are overlapped, using a herringbone technique.

It’s over now. Congratulations!

Roofing is arduous work, requiring lots of manpower, that is best handled by professionals. Roofing requires a significant amount of demolition and preparation before the familiar shingles or shake are fastened down. It sounds simple here, but it takes days, and it is a very dirty and labor intensive job. The good news is that when the roof is done, it looks so ordered, fresh and beautiful that the whole house seems to smile to be wearing a new top. And as a homeowner, you are allowed decades of cozy security under a healthy new roof.

Remodeling the attic is a resourceful and imaginative way to increase the usable space of a home without building additions or making significant structural changes to the house. The first step of any attic remodeling project is a thorough assessment. If your attic has enough room for you to stand up in without bonking your head on a rafter, that is a good start. Read this attic renovation primer to learn some basic inspections you will need to do before planning to remodel your attic.

Inspecting your attic includes making sure there is enough clearance to create a livable space up there. Inspect the ceiling joists and framing to make sure they are structurally sound. The ceiling joists are the wooden beams you have to stand on when you go up into your attic. These will become the support for any flooring you install in the attic. The ceiling joists must be a minimum of 2″ by 6″. If the joists are any smaller, they will not support the weight of the remodeled attic and it will crash down onto the rest of the home.

Make sure there is enough space to renovate the attic. Eight feet of clearance from the joists to the roof is a minimum standard. Also, depending on the pitch of the roof, the roof itself needs to be a certain width to justify the renovation. If the pitch of the roof is 1/2, then the roof needs to be at least 40 feet wide. If the pitch is 2/3, the roof needs to be 32 feet across. A 5/6 pitch requires a roof at least 24 feet wide for a satisfactory attic renovation.

Next, have an electrician inspect your home’s wiring to establish if your current electrical system can handle the load of an additional livable room, accounting for all the lighting and appliances you will add to the renovated attic.

Also, look for any leaks or damage in the roof that will need to be fixed during the renovation. Once finished with the initial inspection, it will be time to formulate a plan.

Once you have preformed the initial assessment on your attic, you will be able to decide for sure if you are going to renovate. If your attic is a good candidate for remodeling, your renovation plan needs to include some essential points. These essential points are: access, HVAC, flooring, and light.

Access
Most attics are accessed through a fold down lumber stairway or a ladder through a trap door. At best, the attic is reached by a cramped staircase that does not allow for normal foot traffic. Your renovation plan must make allowance, both spatially and economically, for a standard staircase from the living space in your home up to the proposed living space in your attic. Study your local building codes concerning egress in living spaces. For example, your renovated attic will need to have at least one window installed that will act as a fire escape.

HVAC
HVAC is an industry acronym that stands for Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning. Attics are typically heavily insulated for the sake of the entire home’s energy conservation. This mean attics are very hot in the summer and very cold in the winter. Your renovation plan must account for these unique temperature ranges in the new attic. Your homes HVAC system will need to be expanded to accommodate and appropriately ventilate your remodeled attic.

Flooring
Since the majority of attics do not have a real floor, one will have to be installed. The “floor” of most unrenovated attics consists of nothing but the tops of the ceiling joists of the room below, usually with insulation laid down between the joists. If your attic is being used for storage, you likely have random boards laid across the joists for places to step and keep boxes of Christmas decorations and whatnot. Think about what kind of flooring you will use in your new attic. Make sure flooring is both glued down and thoroughly secured with fastening hardware to prevent squeaking down the line. Carpet is a good flooring option for attics, because it insulates and dampens sound. But carpet must be reinforced with high quality carpet padding and a secure base flooring.

Light
Attics are dark places. When renovating your attic draw up plans for adequate lighting. Electrical lighting is not your only option. If you install a skylight or dormers, the attic will be flooded with beautiful quantities of natural light during the day. Since the space is small relative to the rest of the home, paint the walls a light color to reflect illumination and help the natural light fill the room more effectively.

In the end, an attic renovation can be a wonderful thing. What matters most before beginning an attic renovation plan is adequate preparation. Find a reputable contractor that is willing to answer your questions. Inspect your attic for basic structural integrity and minimum clearance. Then work with a contractor and a design team to draw up a sound attic remodeling plan. Before you know it, you’ll be playing billiards in your new attic hobby room. Good luck!