Flooring an attic is a great way to gain storage space, but it can be dangerous and structurally risky if done incorrectly. Standard attic joists are only designed to hold up your ceiling drywall and insulation—not heavy boxes or people.
Proper attic flooring creates a safe walking surface, distributes weight across multiple joists, and prevents damage to insulation below. When done correctly, it transforms an attic from a difficult, risky space into a practical storage area that can dramatically increase the usable storage capacity of your home.
The 7 and 7 rule for attic conversions refers to the common requirement that finished attics be at least 7 feet wide and 70 square feet, with 7-foot ceilings over at least half. Keep in mind that this is a general guideline. Local building codes may have stricter requirements that supersede this rule.
In most cases, mice are nocturnal, which means they usually remain in their nest during the day. A mouse can venture out at night to search for food. If a mouse has been disturbed and feels uncertain or threatened, it may move out of the attic during the day.
Yes. Dirty insulation traps and releases allergens. Traditional insulation holds onto dust, moisture, and pest droppings, all of which impact your indoor air quality. Fiberglass insulation health hazards include skin and lung irritation from airborne glass fibers.
Sheep's Wool
Sheep's wool is expensive, but it's one of the safest insulation types for homes. Sheep's wool comes from, you guessed it, sheep. Sheep's wool grows at an incredible rate and the only thing used in the production of the wool is a pair of clippers.
Because spray foam can trap moisture, hide the condition of the roof, make it difficult for surveyors to inspect, which means risks like timber decay, dry rot, and not forgetting increased fire risk. If you've got it or you're buying a property that does, this is something you need to know upfront.
Yes, while technically possible, it is extremely uncommon. Mice are naturally skittish, nocturnal creatures that avoid human contact. They will only climb on a sleeping person if they are using you as the shortest path to a destination, or if you have food crumbs in your bed.
Mice have an incredibly sensitive sense of smell and absolutely despise strong, pungent, or spicy aromas. These smells overwhelm their senses and act as natural deterrents.
Mice most commonly come inside houses during the fall and early winter months, specifically between October and November, as outdoor temperatures drop and food becomes scarce. While they seek warmth and shelter, they can actually enter your home at any time of year when searching for a place to nest.
You will MOST LIKELY need a building permit if your attic remodel involves: Creating a “habitable space”: Converting an unfinished attic into a bedroom, office, playroom, or any other living area almost always requires a permit.
The 10-year rule for loft conversions provides protection against enforcement action. This means that, if ten years pass without challenge, the local council can no longer require you to reverse a conversion that was built without planning permission.
You can expect a finished attic to add 20% in increased value depending on several factors. Depending on the space size, the number of rooms, bathrooms, and more, the added value can increase. A local real estate agent can provide a more accurate estimate of the added value from your finished attic.
Yes, you can put a floor in your attic, but it depends entirely on the strength of your ceiling joists. Most standard attics are built with joists designed to hold the ceiling below, not to support heavy storage or living space. Stacking heavy items on weak joists can cause your ceiling to sag or crack.
Mice are curious and always searching for safe, snug, and warm nesting sites. Attics filled with blown-in insulation provide an excellent option–from the mice's point of view. As long as there is a ready food source. Mice are omnivorous and will eat and chew on almost anything including wood and electrical wires.
Never store heat-sensitive, moisture-absorbing, or flammable items in your attic. Extreme temperature fluctuations, high humidity, and potential pests will quickly destroy delicate materials.
The Amish control mice through non-chemical, self-sustaining methods, relying on active trapping, natural scent repellents, and structural exclusion. Rather than using commercial poisons, they focus on physical barriers and natural predators to keep rodent populations in check.
Screaming when you see a mouse is usually an involuntary response combining an evolutionary startle reflex with an innate sense of vulnerability. Several factors explain this instinctual reaction:
Mothballs. Mothballs are another effective mouse prevention method due to their strong smell, but Liakopoulos cautions against using mothballs if you have pets or children. “The chemicals in mothballs (naphthalene) are toxic to mice, but also dangerous to humans and pets,” he says.
The "5-day mouse rule" is a pest-control guideline that indicates your indoor mouse infestation is likely cleared. If traps remain untouched and you see no new signs of activity (e.g., droppings, gnaw marks) for 5 to 7 consecutive days, the immediate mouse problem has likely been handled.
To lure mice out of hiding, exploit their natural curiosity and survival instincts. Place high-value baits like peanut butter, chocolate, or hazelnut spread along the edges of walls. You can also use cotton balls or dental floss, which mice love to steal for nesting material.
Health Risks Associated with Rodent Bites
While the bite itself might be a small puncture or scratch, it should always be taken seriously due to the risk of bacterial infection. Rodents can carry germs in their saliva that are harmful to people. The most significant concern is an illness called Rat-Bite Fever (RBF).
WD-40 affects foam in different ways depending on the type of foam. It is highly useful for cleaning, holding, or dissolving, but can cause permanent damage to certain materials.
Closed cell spray foam is rigid once set. It is a better thermal insulator and was previously sold to stabilise failing roofs. But if it has been used inappropriately or installed poorly, it might put stress on timbers, restrict air circulation and put them at risk of decaying.
The healthiest, non-toxic insulation for your home is natural sheep's wool or hemp insulation. These materials contain no chemical binders or formaldehyde, actively regulate indoor humidity to prevent mold, and do not off-gas.