5 Attic Finishing Mistakes to Avoid in Denver Metro, CO.

by dybvirtual | Jan 9, 2022 | interior design

5 Attic Finishing Mistakes to Avoid in Denver Metro, CO.

In a world where working from home is becoming increasingly more popular and available, using every space your home offers has gained importance — just imagine trying to do your work with all the hustle and bustle of family life squashing out any quiet time.

Attic space, which was usually used for storing outdated items, has found a new life in becoming a home office or guest suite in order to provide for a quieter atmosphere and more flexibility at home.

However, there are construction and city codes to meet when converting your attic as well as design flaws that could cost you thousands of dollars in future repairs.

To help you with this project, here are five attic finishing mistakes to avoid in Denver Metro, CO.

1. Don’t forget the paperwork

Everything we do in our homes has some sort of regulation or standard to prevent homeowners from errors that might cost them their homes in the event of an accident or disaster.

Skipping this step, whether to avoid the filing costs or time it may take for an inspection, is the biggest mistake you can make as it could result in having to undo some of the renovation work to meet requirements and that can be even more daunting a task if you hired out the labor and will need to do so again to reverse and then reinstall what was already done.

Being sure to start with the step also helps you make design decisions for the rest of the project as you will know immediately what needs must be met in order to pass an inspection.

2. Keeping the air in

Attic spaces are vented in order to prevent the buildup of mildew and water that could cause wood rot — but these vents let in some of the weather as they are open to the outside.

It is tempting to close off these portals to be sure you are more comfortable in your attic space but be sure that you are finding alternate means of venting the room.

A great suggestion (even better if you are ensuring the vents are still in place, but helpful if not) would be to send any appliance’s exhaust directly outside rather than simply venting upward to avoid the trapping of the air around the attic.

3. Putting the light out

Attic spaces are generally sparsely windowed and even less lighted — a bare bulb in the center of the room is not uncommon to see in these spaces.

When converting your attic into a working or living space, however, you need to consider the lack of light in many dark corners that a simple mid-room fixture or small windows will provide.

Install larger windows or even skylights to bring in as much natural light as possible and scatter your light fixtures to cover every inch of darkness.

4. Not checking the insulation

Considering the vents to the outside and often underwhelming amount of framework in an attic space, these areas can be quite drafty and cold — certainly not ideal for a cozy home office or guest suite.

Also, pests can get into the attic and nest in the insulation without notice and the insulation, while present, might not be of a livable quality.

Be sure not to assume your insulation is in good order and always check prior to closing any walls or floor spaces — and choose an insulation that is right for the job as certain choices will add more climate control or your regulations may require specific types.

5. Forgetting the exits

Lastly, but very importantly, do not assume the stairs to your attic are an adequate escape in the event of an emergency.

In fact, they may not be adequate just for everyday use as regulations for attic stairways can be very specific depending on your location and may not suit the space once you are finished — meaning that extra work we previously mentioned as you have to tear out and redo the existing stairs.

However, you should also not neglect your windows in this case, either as they can mean the difference between rescue workers being able to reach you if a fire prevents you from descending to the floor below.

Don’t settle for just any painter when you can get the attention to detail and professionalism from Imhoff Fine Residential Painting in Denver Metro, CO. Call us today to speak with one of our professional color consultants.

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5 Uses for a Finished Basement in Denver Metro, CO.

by dybvirtual | Jan 1, 2022 | interior design

5 Uses for a Finished Basement in Denver Metro, CO.

Having extra space in your home that can be used in a variety of ways is both a blessing and a challenge to figure out how you want to use it — without it becoming the place where things go to be forgotten.

Whether you want to use it for a family area or individual space can be dependent on the size and accessibility of your basement — imagine moving larger furniture down a narrow staircase, for example.

The number of windows may also weigh on your decision over which option to choose for your space as there are benefits to the amount of natural light or lack thereof.

Looking at these issues, we can suggest five uses for a finished basement in Denver Metro, CO.

1. Put in a home gym

Paying for a membership to work out in public can sometimes be the deciding factor between getting fit or giving in and even an avid fitness enthusiast might still be left without options if a gym is neither nearby or affordable.

Having your own workout equipment is great not only to save money on a membership but also to ensure that the equipment itself is running properly for a much longer span of time as you aren’t sharing it with various other people.

With a gym in your basement, you can personalize the space to have only the machines you will use and add an open spot for doing yoga, pilates or other cardio workouts — even the paint colors and colors of your various gear can be personalized for either a relaxing or invigorating workout.

2. Have your own movie theater

After the price of tickets and concessions, going to the theater can become a luxury that isn’t enjoyed as often as one might like — especially in the middle of a pandemic when you could easily spend a little less to stream the same movies at home.

Using your finished basement as a home theater saves money, adds a higher level of comfort and is incredibly customizable — imagine getting a theater experience for movies that were released before you were born or a cult classic that never made it to the box office.

Rather than shifting your weight in the folding seats at the local cinema, you can kick back in a cushy recliner with your favorite snacks on hand to enjoy whichever title you choose.

The best thing about this option is that it thrives on a lack of natural light, so basements with little to offer by way of windows can become an amazing home experience.

3. Play in a game room

Also beneficial for basements without an abundance of natural light are game rooms — either for tabletop gaming or video gaming.

Basements are often quiet spaces without the risk of sound bleeding through the walls into other rooms and using yours for a game room where the players might get rambunctious or games like pool might get a little loud with the clicking of balls against one another and into pockets keeps the main floor of your house a relaxing area.

You can add a wet bar in your game room to keep drinks and snacks on hand and give guests the feeling that they walked into a tiny Dave and Busters or similar — but without having to buy credits for playing!

Putting these basement qualities together makes it the perfect space for watching your favorite spectator sports as you avoid the glare from many windows and your enthusiasm won’t cause your partner or neighbor to complain.

4. Lower the master bedroom

Opting to put your master bedroom in the basement adds a whole new level of privacy to your home retreat — this is even better in a daylight basement with plenty of natural light and the option to walk out onto a private patio.

Another benefit of choosing the basement for your boudoir space is the cool of the room during warm months as basements run colder than the floors above ground and cooler temperatures are generally preferred when people are sleeping.

Less windows are beneficial for those who prefer sleeping in absolute darkness and the quieter atmosphere deepens the sense of relaxation.

5. Set up rental space

If you don’t need the space for yourself or want to cut down on the monthly cost of your mortgage, using your basement as a studio or one bedroom apartment (depending on your space) fills the emptiness — and your wallet!

All the benefits of having your master bedroom in the basement are the same with an income property with the ability to close off the connecting door and give your tenant their own entrance.

You can also use this as a mother-in-law apartment for older parents who would benefit from living with your family rather than by themselves — the ability to help out your family is priceless, and a finished basement can give you just that.

Don’t settle for just any painter when you can get the attention to detail and professionalism from Imhoff Fine Residential Painting in Denver Metro, CO. Call us today to speak with one of our professional color consultants.

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