At Arciform, attic restoration and remodeling considers every twist and turn of your home's architectural heritage.

Grandfathered in means that as long as what is there now was built to the code during the time it was built, it does not have to be brought up to the current code.

Legal living space is defined by zoning and building codes for occupancy purposes. If your attic was used as a bedroom when the house was built, it will count as a bedroom today. If it was unfinished, and you want to add legal living space, you will, at a minimum, have to comply with grandfathered in code for anything that is existing. For anything you are adding you will have to comply with current code. 

Any living space needs an egress pass in case of a fire.  These need to allow for firefighters in full gear to enter and exit the space via at least two different egress points.  A legal staircase counts as one.  Most windows in older attics tend to be double hunts with the opening size being too small.  These can often be replaced with casement windows to meet grandfathered in code.  There are other codes that have to be followed for hallways/passage ways, stairs, doors and windows to meet egress codes. 

Yes, you can! However, there are code limitations for ceiling heights that can get challenging at sloped ceilings. Our design team is well versed in navigating these codes. We help with studding options that may include dormer additions. Other important details to address are how to rout the plumbing through lower levels to tie into the main water supply and the sewer and how the attic floor joists may or may not hide or support horizontal drain runs.

Staircase placement and venting-chimneys can take up a lot of space.  We often suggest upgrading water heaters and furnaces that are vented through the chimney with direct-vent units, which frees up the chimney; then we can at a minimum remove the chimney above the roof and through the attic space. Removing it entirely from the lower levels will also provide a good chase to bring plumbing or ducting up from the basement or can add precious square footage. 

The stairs are a tougher nut to crack, as moving stairs is a domino effect of grand proportions. So, we suggest embracing the stairs in their location and use the opportunity to add architectural interest.

Running new ducting to an attic space to tie into the furnace in the basement can take up valuable space on the lower levels. Consider instead a separate system, like a mini split, for the added living space.