Many homeowners dream of converting an unused attic into extra space, but few know what that involves. There are some great benefits of an attic renovation.  If you love natural light, gable vents can be fitted with replacement windows, you can add individual dormers,  or raise part of the roof for a shed dormer, creating a whole wall of windows.  Attics can be converted to add an additional bedroom, a bonus room, a studio or even an additional family room space.  Finishing an attic also offers the chance to get creative with the roof lines  with vaulted ceilings and decorative tongue-in-groove woodwork.

Are building codes on your side?   Although homeowners often consider codes to be obstacles, safety and durability are the real missions of codes.  Because codes vary according to your locality a building inspector can provide applicable codes and requirements for your new attic conversion. However, if you are working with a qualified general contractor they should also be able to provide code requirements.

Some things to consider are ceiling heights, floor support and egress codes.  Ceiling heights generally need to be a minimum of 6-7 feet above top of floor.  Evaluating the floor support structure of the attic is extremely critical.  Floor systems are designed to carry the required live and dead loads .  If your home was built decades ago or just has a ‘ceiling’ joist for the attic floor it will most likely require additional reinforcement.   There is an egress code for bedrooms that typically requires a window for exit in case of emergencies.  This will need to be considered when adding a bedroom in an attic space.

The next thing to evaluate for additional living space in attic is your support systems.  As mentioned above the structure including the rafters or trusses and floor joists, as well as, the support over doors and windows below will determine if you can add living space with your current structure or have a need for additional reinforcement.  Especially if you have roof trusses, an attic space addition could require significant modification and associated costs.

Expanding your mechanical systems to the attic can potentially be a challenge.   You will need to consult with a licensed electrician to determine if your electrical panel has additional space for new breakers to handle the increased load of the new space. If it can, it is easy to run new wiring to the attic.  If there is not enough space, additional electrical work will need to be done.

When adding plumbing for a new bathroom or mini-bar in the new attic space it is helpful to locate then over or near plumbing locations below reducing pipe as well as disruption of the living space below. Your HVAC will need to be evaluated to determine if your current system will support the new space by adding additional ducts.  If not, you can consider adding a mini-split system, electric baseboard heating and a window unit for air conditioning , or upgrade your current system to a larger unit to accommodate the additional space.

If your new attic space is for a bedroom you will be required to add a standard staircase to access it which will take up room in your living space below.   Spiral staircases take up the least amount of space but do tend to be more expensive as they are a specialty item.  If the space is not a bedroom, you could add an access staircase on the exterior of the home as well.

Is your master bedroom a private sanctuary -a place that is entirely your own? Aside from maybe the kitchen which tends to be the heart of the home, your master bedroom, more than any other place, is your personal retreat where you go to rest, relax and recharge. If you have decided that it’s time to remodel your master bedroom – and if you have the budget available – here are some ideas to make it comfortable, beautiful and even luxurious.

A great way to add luxury and resale value is to add or expand a master bathroom. Master baths take many forms and you have the freedom to experiment. Consider putting the sinks outside the bathroom proper- giving you more room to wash and put on makeup- this can give you a spa-like feel.   You might want to have both a shower and a bathtub instead of choosing one or the other. Why limit yourself?

If you have the room- build a walk-in closet. Why should you have to rummage about in a cramped, dark closet? Why should your beautiful clothes have to be pressed up against each other, risking wrinkles?  Dream a little, doodle your plans on the nearest piece of paper, and go to town!  Don’t be afraid to insert a little drama- chandeliers in the closet are fun! Soon you will have a roomy, pleasant walk-in closet that will be a dream to organize and use.

Make your own personalized headboard. While your contractor is busy with the bigger stuff, you can enjoy this simple carpentry project on your own or with a loved one. You can make your design simple or complex; you can keep the wood bare or pad it for extra comfort. If you’re looking for something more sophisticated then you may need to employ the help of your carpenter. Not only will it look fabulous but you can enjoy your new headboard whether you’re reading a good book or enjoying your favorite film.

Redo the décor. Update the color scheme of your master bedroom with new colors and patterns, pillows, bedding, bedspreads and blankets. Surround yourself with your favorite colors and textures so that you can feel the effects of your comfortable, private sanctuary even while you sleep.

If you’re really feeling adventurous – add a balcony.  Does your bedroom face the water, overlook the mountains, or look out over a rolling farm view that just plain touches your soul? Consider adding a balcony with sliding glass doors and floor-to-ceiling curtains that fit your chosen color scheme. If you’re fortunate enough to have your home facing in the right direction you may view the gorgeous sunrise or colors of sunset from the privacy and comfort of your luxurious master bedroom.

To update your master suite contact F&S Building Innovations – a team that can walk you through the process from beginning to end.

A complete overhaul isn’t necessarily needed to transform your home from a place you like- to a place you LOVE.  Sometimes, it’s not even about making major changes- instead, find ways to appreciate the small details and even imperfections.

Throw away visions of perfection. HGTV overload can sometimes create a false sense of how your home should look.  Most of us don’t have the luxury of building a brand new home that is completely customized to our every whim and need. We may look around and see glaring imperfections in the design, decorating or functionality of our home.  It’s ok.  Who wants to be perfect anyway? The goal is to make your home your own.

Declutter. Declutter. Declutter.  One of the easiest ways to calm our nerves and promote mental health while at home is to simply declutter. Remove the chaos from your home environment.  Find unexpected ways to utilize unconventional storage such as coffee tables that have pull out storage or cabinets & shelves built underneath your main staircase. Even organizing your existing storage areas such as cabinets and closets will greatly help in calming the chaos.

It’s personal.  Stay true to yourself in everything you do- including your home.  Whether your home is newly custom built, a family heirloom home, or just an older home that’s in the perfect location for where you live and work, there are many ways to showcase your tastes and style. Simply replacing the flooring in your main living area can transform the kitchen and living areas with a new look.  Paint your bedroom a fresh, cool color to make that room a peaceful retreat to end your day. Of course, updating the heart of the home- the kitchen- is a major way to make your home your own.

Grasp the intangible.  Stop worrying about getting it just right and enjoy the little things: the sunset view from your back deck or the way sunlight pours into your kitchen window early in the morning while the coffee is brewing. Delight in the small things and the items you can change will become more apparent and more easily addressed.   As you appreciate that gorgeous view, you may recognize that the deck would be a fantastic place to create an outdoor patio or entertaining deck.  You may realize that a small breakfast nook addition would be the perfect place to drink your coffee as the sunlight is streaming in each morning.

Let the Professionals handle it.  DIY looks great on TV- as long as you have all the trade skills needed to complete the changes.  Small changes may be something you can handle with ease, but larger renovation projects may require help from qualified, licensed contractors.  You can seek help with interior design and decorating from a registered C.I.D. professional.

Having a place to relax, refresh and rejuvenate at the end of each busy day is paramount to the mental and physical health of you and your family.  Take a look around your home and see if there are large or small ways you can transform your home into a calm place of solitude.

Jeremy Smith, F&S Building Innovations’ Residential Division Manager was named one of the nation’s TOP 40 Under 40 by Professional Remodeler for 2017. Jeremy oversaw the completion of close to 100 projects in 2016, totaling almost $2.2 million and over $3.1 million in 2017.  Starting at F&S Building in 2002, Jeremy worked his way through various positions from field employee, to warehouse manager, sales & design consultant to division manager, building a network of suppliers, subcontractors and an employee team that is one of the Roanoke Valley’s finest. 

Team members like Jeremy contribute to F&S Building’s long term success.  F&S has been a leading residential & commercial contractor in the valley for over 40 years, expanding over several decades from initially being a custom home general contractor to now handling millions of dollars in commercial renovations for large corporations such as Carillion, Kroger and Sheetz.  Recently, the F&S team has significantly increased their capabilities by adding options for interior design & custom decorating by a certified interior designer, as well as understanding the principles of universal design for aging in place.    

F&S Building Innovations is launching an entire new suite of custom services and solutions to help customers navigate the process of large, decision-intensive renovations. People are often weary of taking that first step to remodel a kitchen, bath or large living area.  It can be very overwhelming to choose a design, find a reputable contractor, and even how to decorate once the construction is complete.  F&S Building recognizes these concerns and has the tools available to alleviate their client’s fears and take them through the process step by step.

Any type of renovation is a big investment and the wrong choice can be costly if the customer is dissatisfied with the end result. By offering schematic renderings, F&S can take the guess work out of the process, giving the customer a true visualization of what to expect.  F&S even has the capability to supply 3D renderings, offering clients the ability to get the overall feel of a completed renovation before even starting the demolition process. 

F&S continues to raise the bar of implied expectations for their clients.  There are things that should be expected that you may not find in many contracting companies.  The F&S team will

-do a thorough ‘job walk’ prior to commencement of any project.  This allows the original design consultant who sold the project, the production manager and the construction superintendent to review the project, evaluate the jobsite for access & storage needs, as well as discuss parking needs, electrical availability and anything that may affect the construction process.  Sometimes, there are specific things to keep in mind such as special site conditions as it relates to neighbors and access to the property.

– communicate with the customer regularly while the renovation is in progress and alleviate as much of the typical construction chaos as possible.  Simply keeping customers informed of what is scheduled for the day or completion goals, as well as communicating clearly when things just don’t go as planned helps them understand what’s happening and be prepared for the process.

-always leave the jobsite neat and clean each day.  There is always a certain amount of debris and materials during the construction process but F&S does its best to tidy up before leaving each day.

-leave their customers not only satisfied but extremely pleased and anxious to refer F&S to anyone that may be considering a renovation project in the future.

F&S Building Innovations Inc. has been in business since 1976, is Licensed and Insured and holds an A+ rating with the BBB.