DIY Network

Finish Attic Walls and Ceiling Get an under-used attic ready for action. From "Wasted Spaces" episode DWSP-305

An empty attic can become a work of art.

This attic space was a dream come true for host Karl Champley: Not only is it roomy, it's easy to access. He can't wait to get to work transforming it into a cool hangout for creative teen Kennedee. But before she can move in, he needs to finish out this rough-and-ready space with insulation and wall material. After the shell is in place, he can go ahead and lay carpet tiles, create a hideaway swing-out sofa and build in a recessed bookcase. Scroll down to see how he gets this empty space ready for action.

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Finish Attic Walls and Ceiling

Tools: carpenter’s pencil level nail gun screw gun ventilator or dust mask circular saw straight edge utility knife rubber roller sponge roller safety glasses paint trays, brushes, rollers

Materials: insulation (R-13 and R-30) 2x4s for framing OSB sheeting 3/4" birch plywood nails screws

• Frame the top and sides of the knee wall. For this project, Karl installed a knee wall that conceals a swing-out sofa and also features a recessed bookcase. If installing a knee wall, measure and mark the location for the top of the knee wall, check for level, and attach long boards to the ceiling joists at this point. This will define the top of the knee wall and serve as a guide when installing the OSB and plywood for the walls and ceiling.
  

  	Figure A
  	Figure B

• Insulate walls and ceiling. Staple insulation between the wall studs and ceiling joists (figure A). Use R-30 insulation for the ceiling and R-13 for the walls. Don't mash or compress the insulation into the space; it needs a certain amount of loft to work properly. If building a knee wall for storage, like Karl did with this project, make sure to insulate that area as well.

  Safety Alert: Wear safety glasses, work gloves and a dust mask when installing insulation.

• Install OSB walls. Use a nail gun to attach sheets of OSB to the walls over the insulation. Make sure to nail into the wall studs when installing the OSB (figure B).

  Safety Alert: Always wear safety glasses and use caution when working with a nail gun. These powerful tools can drive a nail through wood – or a hand or foot – instantly.

• Work behind the knee wall. If installing a knee wall with a swing-out feature, such as the swing-out sofa in this episode, make sure to install OSB and/or plywood over the insulation in the visible area behind the knee wall.

• Attach laminate. Laminate is more often used as countertops or work surfaces, but here it helps create an edgy look for this teen artist. To install, roll contact cement onto the surface of the OSB wall and the surface of the laminate. Allow the cement to set until it gets tacky. When it's tacky and dry to the touch, carefully line up the laminate and adhere it to the OSB.

  Tip: Used correctly, contact cement is a super-strong adhesive – so it's important to line everything up carefully before letting the two surfaces touch. The adhesive will instantly, permanently bond with itself – there's no wiggling around for a better fit once the pieces touch.
  

  Figure C

• Roll out the bubbles. Use a rubber roller to get ready of any bubbles under the laminate.

• Install plywood ceiling. Use screws to attach sheets of birch plywood to the angled ceiling over the insulation, making sure to drive the screws into the ceiling joists. The plywood will create a smooth, strong ceiling – without having to apply drywall tape and mud to the ceiling. Run the plywood down to the top of the knee wall. Since this space will be Kennedee's special hangout, she painted original artwork on the ceiling plywood. (figure C)

• Paint. Prime and paint the walls and ceiling as desired.
  

  ALSO IN THIS EPISODE:
  	Swing-Out Sofa
  	Finish Attic Walls and Ceiling