This Old House Add Ac To Dormer Attic Space

After floorplan illustration by ian worpole.

This old house add ac to dormer attic space.

This gives you the best humidity control. Don t avoid ventilating your attic for fear you re letting cold air into the house. The hotspots in my house correspond to where the ceiling is closest to the roofline mere feet in some cases and the cold spots to where there is 10 15 of attic truss space. Your actual living space is sealed and insulated at the attic floor the attic is outside this envelope.

Adding ac to a house that already has ducts is relatively straightforward. Arched top photo by nancy andrews. Most premium air conditioning units 15 seer or above have two stage compressors or dual compressors and adjustable speed blowers. Needs no added insulation.

Dormer roofs are the little rooms that project from a roof and allow more space and light in the top floor or attic. These 10 foot long foil wrapped fiberglass panels are cut folded and taped to form four sided ducts. Lightweight and doesn t sag. When extra space is needed upstairs the easiest solution is often to add a wide shed dormer.

From the exterior however these dormers can sometimes look overwhelming. Adding a dormer provided 100 square feet for the home office located near the top of the stairs. If there are asphalt shingles on your roof the attic must be ventilated to comply with the terms of the manufacturer s warranty. But a contractor experienced in retrofitting can cleverly hide ductwork behind walls in the back of closets and up in the attic with minimal cuts into walls and the ceiling and very little mess.

You can go to a much higher seer air conditioner and have all the bells and whistles. For a house that needs ducts the costs and work time double. Whether you envision your house s top floor as an away from it all master suite a quiet home office or a hangout spot for the kids read these 14 tips to help you finish your attic remodel. As architectural styles have shifted architects and builders have invented more ways to build dormers.

The state of your attic has a major impact on your home s comfort and energy efficiency. But when you need new ducts you have three types to choose from. A staircase from the ground floor led to an unfinished t shaped attic space. Here s what you need to know about attics.

It was left open to the stairwell and library wall for a feeling of spaciousness. Adding to the illusion of small size the top window has smaller panes so it looks farther away. For this reason premium air conditioning systems may be the best choice for old houses. Every attic is different but a few established norms and practices will guide your renovation.

Account for codes and safety photo by casey dunn.