We are independent & ad-supported. We may earn a commission for purchases made through our links.
Advertiser Disclosure
Our website is an independent, advertising-supported platform. We provide our content free of charge to our readers, and to keep it that way, we rely on revenue generated through advertisements and affiliate partnerships. This means that when you click on certain links on our site and make a purchase, we may earn a commission. Learn more.
How We Make Money
We sustain our operations through affiliate commissions and advertising. If you click on an affiliate link and make a purchase, we may receive a commission from the merchant at no additional cost to you. We also display advertisements on our website, which help generate revenue to support our work and keep our content free for readers. Our editorial team operates independently of our advertising and affiliate partnerships to ensure that our content remains unbiased and focused on providing you with the best information and recommendations based on thorough research and honest evaluations. To remain transparent, we’ve provided a list of our current affiliate partners here.
Home

Our Promise to you

Founded in 2002, our company has been a trusted resource for readers seeking informative and engaging content. Our dedication to quality remains unwavering—and will never change. We follow a strict editorial policy, ensuring that our content is authored by highly qualified professionals and edited by subject matter experts. This guarantees that everything we publish is objective, accurate, and trustworthy.

Over the years, we've refined our approach to cover a wide range of topics, providing readers with reliable and practical advice to enhance their knowledge and skills. That's why millions of readers turn to us each year. Join us in celebrating the joy of learning, guided by standards you can trust.

How do I Finish an Attic?

Diane Goettel
By
Updated: May 17, 2024
Views: 7,861
Share

If you plan to finish an attic, the first step is to make sure that the climate of the attic is habitable, which may require installing insulation and outfitting the space with proper ventilation. If an attic is already insulated and properly ventilated, then the finishing process may be mostly cosmetic. Another important consideration for anyone who wants to finish an attic is how the attic is accessed. Some attics, while quite spacious, can only be accessed by a collapsible staircase that drops down out of the ceiling. In these cases, the process of finishing an attic may require the moderately complicated task of replacing the collapsible staircase with a stationary staircase, especially if the room is going to be used on a daily basis as a bedroom or home office.

Many attics have unfinished walls and ceilings. The beams may be exposed and, in some cases, the insulation may be exposed as well. In order to properly finish an attic, one must finish the walls and the ceiling. The most common materials that are used in this process are plywood and drywall. Once the walls have been installed, they can be painted or covered in wall paper.

Attics, even those that are rather roughly hewn, often have sufficient floors. There are some, however, that are outfitted only with beams and insulation in the area where the floor should be. In these cases, it will be necessary to install a sturdy floor. Many people choose wood for this purpose, but there are many wood options. If the wood is meant to be left bare, then it is best to choose a nice quality of lumber that will take a finish well. If the floor will be carpeted, then the visual quality of the wood is less important.

One of the last steps is to choose lighting. This is usually a necessary step as unfinished attics are normally outfitted with only a hanging bare lightbulb or two. Those who want to finish an attic and add multiple light fixtures to the room, or to move the location of light fixtures, should consult with an electrician before installing the walls. For more complicated lighting installations, such as recessed lighting, it may be necessary to have professionals install the lighting as well as the walls or ceiling in which the fixtures will be installed. Finally, to finish an attic, outfit it with furniture and a few items such as art and rugs to tie the whole thing together.

Share
WiseGeek is dedicated to providing accurate and trustworthy information. We carefully select reputable sources and employ a rigorous fact-checking process to maintain the highest standards. To learn more about our commitment to accuracy, read our editorial process.
Diane Goettel
By Diane Goettel
"Diane Goettel has a BA from Sarah Lawrence College and an MA in English from Brooklyn College. Diane lives in Mount Vernon, New York with her husband, Noah. They are the proud parents of a Doberman Pinscher named Spoon. Specialties: book editing, book marketing, book publishing, freelance writing, magazine publishing, magazine writing, copywriting,"

Editors' Picks

Discussion Comments
Diane Goettel
Diane Goettel
"Diane Goettel has a BA from Sarah Lawrence College and an MA in English from Brooklyn College. Diane lives in Mount...
Learn more
Share
https://www.wisegeek.net/how-do-i-finish-an-attic.htm
Copy this link
WiseGeek, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.

WiseGeek, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.