Phoenix Attic Remodeling: The Right Way to Beat the Heat

The dry air and hot climate can present unique challenges to Phoenix attics, roofs, and homes. The simple and unavoidable fact that heat rises makes two-story homes in Phoenix infamously difficult to comfortably cool in the summer. Many homeowners believe warm rooms are a result of poor attic ventilation that's causing hot air from the attic to infiltrate the rest of their home. While this may be technically true, the best answer is rarely to blindly increase your attic's ventilation. Warm rooms are more often the result of insufficient insulation that keeps the warmer attic air where it should be.

Pragmatic Phoenix Attic Renovation, Ventilation, and Insulation
Now, this doesn't mean you don't need attic ventilation in Phoenix as well. The real benefit of attic ventilation, however, is to prolong the lifespan of your roofing, where inadequate ventilation can quickly take its toll on heat-vulnerable roofing systems and materials. Multiple studies have been done, but most of these studies were conducted in laboratory settings that are notoriously poor at successfully imitating actual conditions for your home. That said, there's usually a "more right" answer and a "less right" answer. The relative advantages of installing gable vents versus ridge vents, for example, can be debated depending on the design and material of your roofing, although most contractors tend to lean toward ridge vents. An attic fan, or whole house fan, can also effectively ventilate your home.

Turn your Phoenix Attic Remodel into an Extra Bedroom
A horse of a completely different color is the full attic conversion. An attic conversion is simply the name given to the attic remodeling process that converts this space into an additional living space. While you may want to use your attic for a home office, artist studio, recreational area, or any number of eccentric passions or hobbies, you'd do well to include a fire exit, electrical wiring, and other bedroom essentials. Turning your attic into a bedroom is not a project where you want to cut corners. Where other projects like kitchen and bathroom remodels can often benefit from moderate projects in terms of cost versus resale value, attics need to go all the way.

By remodeling your attic up to code, you can sell the home with an extra bedroom, but even the bare bones of building code may not be sufficient to create an attic as a selling point for your home. You'll need a first-rate cooling system to keep your attic comfortable during the summer. Plus, modern attic stairs are mandatory to alleviate concerns of this bedroom area being inconvenient or altogether inaccessible. Complete your Phoenix attic conversion right the first time and, even if you don't recoup 100 percent of the cost, you'll see the difference when it's time to sell. Don't feel, however, that this economic sense needs to squash your own creative plans. Most attics can be converted into a "bedroom space" that will still accommodate any number of personal activities and needs.

Cost of Phoenix Attic Remodeling
Different projects have different costs. You might be able to get away with an attic renovation for $2,000 or less, although if it's determined you need some combination of insulation and ventilation, you're probably looking at several thousand dollars. Full attic conversions, naturally, cost quite a bit more. The average cost of a bedroom attic remodel is about $40,000, although this number can range widely depending on the current condition of your attic and its available space.

ServiceMagic and Phoenix Attic Remodeling Contractors
Few contractors focus solely or even primarily on attics. Plus, different attic projects are typically handled by different contractors. Thus, you won't find an all-encompassing "attic renovation" request on the ServiceMagic website. Rest assured, however, we have the contractors for your job. If you need attic or ceiling insulation, request insulation installation and let us know your project is aimed for your attic. If you need attic ventilation, you're going to want to talk with HVAC contractors, and you should request vent installation. For attic conversion, you're best bet is a home remodeling company, and your request would be for a bedroom remodel. For larger, complicated projects that include attic renovation and remodeling, you might consider having us put you in touch with one of our Phoenix general contractors who can efficiently and expertly manage your project. Whatever your needs, as always, try to get at least three estimates from different contractors and use our quality-controlled ratings and reviews to size up different professionals.