Foursquare Farmhouse Finished Attic Remodel

We recently completed a project that was anything but our typical remodel! Andrew and Brenda are a young professional couple with kids. They needed extra living space as their kids were reaching middle school age.

They bought a wonderful century-old farmhouse that was originally built out in the country between Madison and Verona. Today, that farmhouse is surrounded by a neighborhood. They were looking to create the perfect family room for the kids, and they chose the unfinished attic space.

One of the things that made this a fun project was Andrew's background. In addition to his overseas missionary work, Andrew also had plenty of construction experience before starting his professional career. Add all of the elements together and you have a perfect situation with a knowledgeable client who is willing to take on some of the work to keep the project on budget!

Attic Remodel or Finished Basement?

For many families looking to add usable space, finishing the basement is often the first thought. A finished basement can add value and be designed as a flexible space. However, there are some drawbacks when compared to an attic remodel.

Basements tend to be damp, so you may have the added expense of waterproofing before you build. In addition, the plumbing (including lines to the sewer or septic system) runs through the basement. A broken or leaking pipe can be expensive to repair, and it may be challenging to hide plumbing within the walls. 

View All Of The Pictures Of This Attic Remodeling Project

Basements also tend to have lower ceilings, so if ceiling height is an issue, you may be limited by the physical structure of your home. Another consideration is natural light. Unless you have a walkout basement, you will likely not get much natural light.

That being said, if you have a clear vision, like adding a basement in-law apartment, or a theatre space, a finished basement is a great way to add usable space.

On the other hand, there are some advantages to an attic remodel not available in the basement. First, there is little chance of plumbing issues. Of course, you have to make sure that the roof is sound. If your attic doesn't have the ceiling height, unlike a basement, you can increase the height with dormers. 

Dormers are a great way to increase natural light in the space. An attic is perfect for office space, a family room, or a playroom for the kids. In the case of our clients Andrew and Brenda, the basement wasn't an option, and the home had a spacious and existing dormered attic space. 

An Inspired Attic Remodel

The home had a steep stairwell going up to the space, and three of the four sides were dormered. There was not enough headroom over the stairs. Fortunately, this was the one wall that lacked a dormer. The attic also was uninsulated and lacked access to the HVAC. It has been perfectly adequate for the last 100 years. 

We collaborated with Andrew and his exterior subcontractor and planned to add a dormer over the stairs. To add a new dormer required engineering and careful work to bring the space up to existing business codes. 

A new fourth dormer was built over the stairway. The result? More headroom for the staircase and the new windows bathe the space in natural light. We reframed all of the other windows to increase the natural light and maximize energy efficiency. We also installed a dedicated HVAC system and hid the ductwork underneath the window seats as it made its way around the entire room.

Next, an old, unused chimney was taken down from above the roof to below the floor. This opened up the space visually and opened up the floor plan, so it was possible to properly arrange furniture without obstructing the middle of the room. 

We also addressed the structural issues and insulated the space. Working with an engineer, we determined that the existing floor joists would support the finished space. The actual size of the room was limited by local building codes. We precisely placed the knee walls to give us the maximum 399 habitable and usable square feet. 

Finally, we rebuilt the stairway to improve functionality and meet building codes. The rise and run were changed. Now, the stairway extends slightly into the landing of the second floor. It fits perfectly between the three bedrooms. It's almost like the home was built for this attic remodel!

Adding in the Details!

With the addition of the fourth dormer and by reframing the existing windows, the space is bathed in natural light. To make it comfortable after dark, Andrew and Brenda designed and inspired layered lighting design. It consists of sconces in the dormer areas, recessed lighting, and a dramatic chandelier over the newly rebuilt stairway that creates a dramatic entry to the space!

We designed each of the remaining dormers to create three unique areas perfect for the kids to take a nap, read a book, or just hang out with their friends! 

The end result is a balanced, dramatic space with tall ceilings flooded with natural light during the day. The layered lighting design provides the perfect lighting in the evening. The new dedicated HVAC system adds comfort, and upgrading the space to meet the local business codes, including adding insulation, keeps the summer heat out and the winter heat in!

Needless to say, we exceeded Andrew and Brenda's expectations, and they are thrilled with the result. It is a perfect example of how an attic remodel can often be a better option than a finished basement! To see all the photos of the completed project, click here.

If you live in the greater Madison, Wisconsin area and are planning an attic remodel, give the experts at Degnan Design-Build-Remodel a call at (608) 846-5963. Their award-winning design team is ready to help you realize your creative vision and help you create the functional, finished attic of your dreams. Call today and arrange a free consultation to discuss your upcoming project.