Resilient flooring, such as laminate or vinyl, is one of the best choices you can make for attic floors.
Laminate is the best flooring for attics. Engineered Hardwood: If you want to use real wood for your attic flooring, engineered hardwood requires less maintenance and refinishing than traditional lumber.
This rule means, at least half of your attic space must be 7 feet high by 7 feet wide, with a total of 70 square feet. Keep in mind, codes vary from place to place, but for using the attic as an actual room, this rule typically applies.
Laminate flooring is arguably the best choice for bedrooms and additional living space. Laminate is also a popular option for games rooms, playrooms, and also children's rooms. This option is extremely versatile and rather surprisingly, it's not as expensive as many first anticipate.
Highest cost: A mansard loft conversion, or converting a modern engineered truss roof, can effectively mean replacing the whole of the existing roof structure with an additional attic storey and is the most expensive.
When strengthening loft conversion floor joists with sideslinging, the loft joists are run along one side of the existing joists using a holder beneath the new steel beams which are then installed across the old joists. They will usually be connected to each other using screws and bolts to secure it in place.
For that reason, building codes in more humid locations will often require them, in which case you might not have much say about whether to install one or not. In drier climates, however, attic vapor barriers can be more of an optional add-on than they would be elsewhere.
Both plywood and OSB are effective choices for your subfloor needs, but OSB may be a better option for a garage than plywood. Plywood is a better option for projects that require a lot of cutting and molding, while OSB is a good option for those who need to cover areas where moisture exposure may be an issue.
Before installing flooring in your attic, it's vital to examine the space with a critical eye. Some attics can safely handle flooring right away without major modifications to the space or structure. Others require a major overhaul before flooring can go down. And some attics simply aren't meant to be finished.
The Value of Livable Space
A 2022 report by the National Association of Realtors shared that renovating your basement (for any use) gave homeowners an 86% return on their investment. The same report also shared that a finished attic recoups about 70% of its cost in resale value.
Reach out to your local municipality to see if you need a permit for your attic remodel. A permit is usually only needed if: You are adding electrical wiring or ventilation. You plan to change the structure of your home in the process, such as knocking down an existing wall or adding a dormer.
If your attic is finished, you can use it as an extra bedroom, office, or even entertainment room. The possibilities are endless.
The cost of attic flooring will depend on the current state of the attic and what materials you choose. Replacing floor joists to beef up the strength will cost anywhere between $1,000 and $10,000, while installing subfloor will run between $500 and $800.
Wooden flooring is a type of flooring that never goes out of style. After all, the planks bring nature's beauty to the inside of your home. That being said, thousands of wood species can be used to create hardwood floors.
Basement flooring options that provide the best insulation include: cork, EVA foam, PVC, and plastic. With numerous suitable options manufactured using a variety of these materials, there is an option or flooring package for every price point.
Because OSB strengths can vary a lot, depending on the wood and glue used, always check the strength of any boards you buy before you use them. But, for example, the leading USA DIY store chain sells OSB attic boards that are about 0.6 inches thick. We would not recommend boards thinner than that for attic flooring.
OSB can be manufactured into panels that are larger than plywood. OSB is more uniform, so there are fewer soft spots, such as those that can occur in plywood. OSB is less expensive than plywood. To build a typical 2,400-square foot home, OSB may cost $700 less than plywood.
Prone to swelling edges and telegraphing.
“The major disadvantage of OSB is that if it gets exposed to significant amounts of water or moisture, the edges expand by up to 15% ... especially if they are cut edges. This swell will then telegraph onto the shingles or some flooring," according to PATH.
If you have an attic with joists measuring over 16 inches or reaching 24 inches OC, this is not ideal for the installation of flooring or converting your attic into a livable space. However, if you hire a contractor, they can offer advice on how to increase the structural support to get it there.
A finished attic should be insulated much like the rest of the house, with insulation in the walls, ceiling and floor. If the attic is unfinished, putting proper insulation on the attic floor is one of the simplest ways to keep heating bills down and keep cooling needs in check.
Natural Attic Ventilation
Proper insulation and air sealing also keeps attics cold in winter by blocking the entry of heat and moist air from below. In the summer, natural air flow in a well-vented attic moves super-heated air out of the attic, protecting roof shingles and removing moisture.
Cut 'sister joists': 'Sistering' is the process of strengthening the existing joists by adding a new joist, or a 'sister' next to the existing joist. For example, if your roof consists of 2 x 6 joists, you can add an additional 2 x 6 joist alongside in order to strengthen them.
Engineered Wood. Engineered wood flooring presents as a suitable option for loft conversions due to having a host of advantages that include enhanced durability, resistance to moisture, and tolerance to temperature fluctuations.