Home additions
Attic conversions
The space is already there, under the roof, doing nothing. With the right structure, stair and insulation it becomes the quietest room in the house.
The work
Three things decide whether an attic can be converted: headroom, floor structure and access. Existing ceiling joists were sized to hold drywall and insulation, not people and furniture, so they almost always need sistering or replacement.
Access is the second hurdle. A code-compliant stair takes real floor area from the level below, and finding that space is often the hardest part of the design.
The third is comfort. Roof assemblies need insulation and ventilation done correctly, or an attic room is unbearable in July and condensation-prone in January. We detail the assembly properly.
- Typical duration
- 10 – 16 weeks
- Permits
- Building permit, structural drawings, electrical
- Minimum headroom
- Assessed against the Ontario Building Code on site
- Common uses
- Bedroom, office, studio, loft living space
How we build it
What's included, and why it matters
01
Structural upgrade
Floor framing reinforced or replaced to carry live loads, with an engineer's review where spans are long.
02
Code-compliant stair
Rise, run, headroom and landings designed to code, located to do the least damage to the floor below.
03
Roof insulation and venting
Insulated to current standards with maintained ventilation or a sealed assembly, so the room is comfortable year-round.
04
Light and egress
Dormers, gable windows or skylights that bring in light and satisfy egress if the space is used as a bedroom.
Answers
Attic conversions, answered
Start your project
Thinking about attic conversions?
We'll visit the property, tell you honestly what's possible, and give you a scope and a number you can plan around.
We typically respond within one business day.