This Old House Add Ac To Dormer Attic Space

Wide shed photo by nancy andrews.

This old house add ac to dormer attic space.

But when you need new ducts you have three types to choose from. Adding to the illusion of small size the top window has smaller panes so it looks farther away. Every attic is different but a few established norms and practices will guide your renovation. Whether you envision your house s top floor as an away from it all master suite a quiet home office or a hangout spot for the kids read these 14 tips to help you finish your attic remodel.

Adding a dormer provided 100 square feet for the home office located near the top of the stairs. Your actual living space is sealed and insulated at the attic floor the attic is outside this envelope. The state of your attic has a major impact on your home s comfort and energy efficiency. Lightweight and doesn t sag.

From the exterior however these dormers can sometimes look overwhelming. Needs no added insulation. A staircase from the ground floor led to an unfinished t shaped attic space. When extra space is needed upstairs the easiest solution is often to add a wide shed dormer.

The hotspots in my house correspond to where the ceiling is closest to the roofline mere feet in some cases and the cold spots to where there is 10 15 of attic truss space. After floorplan illustration by ian worpole. Here s what you need to know about attics. As architectural styles have shifted architects and builders have invented more ways to build dormers.

This gives you the best humidity control. Adding ac to a house that already has ducts is relatively straightforward. For a house that needs ducts the costs and work time double. Dormer roofs are the little rooms that project from a roof and allow more space and light in the top floor or attic.

It was left open to the stairwell and library wall for a feeling of spaciousness. In my mind circulating air in the attic would accelerate the existing convection currents and help distribute the heat load. Account for codes and safety photo by casey dunn. You can go to a much higher seer air conditioner and have all the bells and whistles.

Most premium air conditioning units 15 seer or above have two stage compressors or dual compressors and adjustable speed blowers. But a contractor experienced in retrofitting can cleverly hide ductwork behind walls in the back of closets and up in the attic with minimal cuts into walls and the ceiling and very little mess. Arched top photo by nancy andrews. If there are asphalt shingles on your roof the attic must be ventilated to comply with the terms of the manufacturer s warranty.

Don t avoid ventilating your attic for fear you re letting cold air into the house.