Spent half a day just convincing myself there weren’t any critters waiting for me down there.
Honestly, I get the headaches, but I’d still argue it’s often worth it—especially if you do it with energy efficiency in mind. Old attics are usually heat traps, but with good insulation and some air sealing, you can end up saving on bills in the long run. Plus, reusing the space beats building new. Sure, you’ll curse at the wiring, but at least you’re not pouring new concrete or eating up green space for an addition. I guess it’s about picking your battles.
- Insulation is definitely a game-changer, but I always wonder about airflow. Even with good sealing, some attics just feel stuffy no matter what you do.
- Wiring is a pain, but for me, plumbing was the real nightmare when I tried converting my garage—ran into pipes that shouldn’t have been there and had to reroute half of it.
- Saving green space is huge, but sometimes I question if the resale value actually matches the effort. Anyone actually seen a bump in appraisal after finishing an attic or garage?
- Curious if anyone’s figured out a good way to deal with low ceilings up there... I’ve bonked my head more times than I’d like to admit.
Low ceilings are a real headache—literally. I once worked on an attic where the only way to stand upright was right down the center, so we ended up building in knee-wall storage along the sides to make use of that awkward space. It helped, but you still had to duck near the edges. Anyone ever try raising a roof or adding dormers? I’ve seen it done, but it seems like a massive project just for a bit more headroom. Wondering if it’s worth the extra cost or if creative built-ins are usually enough.
Anyone ever try raising a roof or adding dormers? I’ve seen it done, but it seems like a massive project just for a bit more headroom. Wondering if it’s worth the extra cost or if creative built-ins are usually enough.
Man, raising a roof is one of those things that sounds cool until you see the bill. It’s not just a “little more headroom”—it’s like opening Pandora’s box for your wallet. You’re talking about demo, reframing, new shingles, insulation, maybe even dealing with city permits. The only time I’ve seen folks go that route and not regret it is when they’re already doing a major overhaul or trying to squeeze every last dollar out of resale value.
Dormers are a bit more manageable and can make a world of difference, especially for natural light and making a cramped attic feel like a real room. Still not cheap, but less scary than lifting the whole lid off the house.
Honestly, creative built-ins and knee walls are usually the way to go unless you’re really desperate for full-height space. I’ve banged my head on enough attic rafters to have a permanent reminder... but I’d still rather deal with that than the chaos of a full roof lift.
It’s not just a “little more headroom”—it’s like opening Pandora’s box for your wallet. You’re talking about demo, reframing, new shingles, insulation, maybe even dealing with city pe...
I hear you on the “Pandora’s box for your wallet” part. I’ve watched neighbors go through a full roof raise and it was wild—months of noise, dumpsters, and surprise costs. But I’ll admit, their space turned out amazing and super energy efficient since they redid all the insulation. Still, I lean toward what you said about built-ins and knee walls. Sometimes a clever storage nook or a low reading bench under the eaves makes the space feel intentional, not just cramped. If you’re not desperate for standing room, there’s a lot you can do with what you’ve got.
