Below you can see townhouses with and without a third floor.
Convert attic in townhouse.
Attic conversions are now possible by replacing the truss rafters with a shaped trusses or horizontal beams which in return create additional space.
Codes vary from place to place but the rule of 7 for using an attic as an actual room typically applies.
Because a well designed attic room will not only create extra habitable space to help free up a busy household but whether you want to add an extra lounge bathroom guest bedroom or even open plan kitchen to your home it s a really clever alternative to an extension that could.
Enter the attic to assess its condition and suitability for conversion.
The role of the horizontal beam is to tie the truss together and carry the load that would otherwise be sustained by the support and vertical timber also known as the king post.
An attic bedroom exploits roof space previously devoted to high school yearbooks and nesting sparrows.
We chose not to do it and i ve regretted it since.
Reclaiming the space under your roof also avoids many zoning and easement concerns common chores when adding onto a house.
That third floor is how it would look with the unused attic space totally transformed.
Transform your unused attic.
If you want or need to introduce extra living space into your home then a loft conversion could be the answer.
Fortunately this is a fairly easy fix.
Whether you envision your house s top floor as an away from it all master suite a quiet home office or a kids hangout don t lift a finger until you ve read toh s expert advice.
If your attic has joists but no flooring take a wooden plank with you to enable you to walk around and take pictures and measurements.
At least half of your attic space must be 7 feet high by 7 feet wide with a total of 70 square feet.
When we had our townhouse built we had the option to turn the unused attic into a functional living space.
You can sister the joists by cutting 2 x8 boards the same length as the joists applying construction adhesive and affixing each to a joist with nails.
Step 2 snap a photo of the rafters you see along the sides of the roof.
Pull down stairs won t work for an attic room so you must add a permanent staircase.