05 - Discovering The Attic

When we purchased this house we wondered where the attic entrance was, but didn't have a cause to explore. It turns out there was no entrance so when I had a need to get into the attic to address the ceiling, my wife and I were both were intrigued.  Renovating the attic was never part of the plan, but converting it to storage, serendipitously doubled the storage space in the house, and answered the question of how I would be able to install recessed lights. 

1. Everything was completely uninsulated and bare bones.

2. You can see the 1922 wiring and ceramic clamps used at the time. 

3. Half of the roof was replaced at some point, and part of the old roof required more demolition.

4. I made a decision for the best position to cut a permanent access opening where I later Installed a door and ladder (no pictures on those) -- the opening is wide enough to be able to shove boxes and furniture up there. The ladder kit was sold at Home Depot for $80.

5. Chimney needed patching - had we not ventured up there, the deteriorating cement would've surely caused a leak.  Later I fully encased the chimney in a layer of cement patch mix.

6. After insulating OBS plywood was on sale for $9.99, and I got then cut in 2' x 8' foot sheets to move easier up there.

7. The vinyl flooring I traveled 120 miles round trip to meet a guy off Craigslist who sold me his old kitchen floating floor for $150 bucks, and I had extra planks leftover. 

8. Note: You can see some of the recessed light and electrical outlet Installations here, 

9. I cut out part of the house to install a small window, note the framing and attention to sealing on both the outside and inside new window frames with exterior silicon. 

10. There were many little detail I discovered that didn't sit well with me leaving, so many small repairs were needed, especially on the underside of the roof.