Attic Walls

Attic walls require some expert attention in order for the whole project to turn out the way it should. In most cases the outside walls will already be completely framed and structurally ready to go. But there are going to be times when additional framing needs to be done here to tie into new wall sections that are going to be built or ceilings dropped into place; or, work on an attic wall might be done just to accommodate more efficient installation of the insulation or the drywall. Get your attic walls right and you will be set up for the whole job.

Framing an Attic Partition

In some cases when a bonus room type setup is done, there is no need to build any new walls in the attic, other than maybe a knee wall where the stairs come up or a few short ones to create a closet. But there are plenty of projects that call for a good number of attic walls. The plans you are working off of might be for creating a master suite which features a bedroom, full bath, and wardrobe space. These types of prints necessitate the construction of a good amount of new framing.

This framing obviously has to be done in a way that is structurally sound. And it also needs to be done in a way that allows it to carry electrical, plumbing, HVAC, and so on as needed. There are some different ways to do attic walls and it can pay to take the time to research these different options. Every remodel is different and the end outcome goals that you have for the project will directly tie in to the choices you make in the look and the structure of each wall.

There are professionals in the field that specialize in this area of home improvement, contractors that can be very good resources to count on for anyone who is interested in learning how to best utilize the square footage they have to work with in a project like this. These are the companies we need to lean on when the time comes to think about doing a job like this. Get the best ideas on where to place the attic walls and how to layout the whole floor plan so that you can get more usage out of the area in question. Getting those things built the right way and making sure the framing is done in the best possible manner for the sake of beauty and efficiency are very important things to shoot for. And the insulation in the walls is also crucial to the outcome of the job.

Insulating Walls in Attics

Doing the insulation as part of this project is just as important as the framing. Getting insulated attic walls properly helps ensure that this new addition to the living area in the home is just as comfortable as it can possibly be all year long. When the attic is well insulated it helps slow down heat transfer in the summer and the winter, reduces the energy needed for HVAC systems to operate, and ultimately saves you money on heating and cooling. Of course, this also brings the excellent benefit of reducing your carbon footprint on the earth.

There are several different types of insulation material we could choose from, all of which do a great job in their own way. Batt insulation is made from fiberglass with paper facing; cellulose is old newsprint repurposed for this new use; and spray foam is probably the most efficient of the three but also the most expensive. This is a very important part of raising and finishing attic walls, something that needs to be properly attended to before each wall is finished.

Covering and Finishing a Wall

Once the electrical, plumbing and other utilities have been run and the insulation is completely installed, it is time to finish the attic walls. The default material for this task is drywall simply because it is the most popular, but there are other options including wood paneling that you might also consider. The finished look of the walls is every bit as important as their structural integrity and their ability to repel air infiltration from the outside and the resultant heat transfer that accompanies it.

The cost of doing an attic and getting it fully converted depends upon the specific plan you lay out to finish it up and the way you want everything to look at the end. The walls of the attic might just go around the perimeter or there may be partitions, but regardless of how many there are and where they are located, getting the attic walls done right is very important. Look at photos and use our free form to request quotes from local contractors in the trade.