Cooler attic

At our MyFixitUpLife home we have been crazy-focused on our roof replacement all summer-long.

Ever since Mark and I spent a 100-degree August day five years ago cleaning out the previous owner’s possessions out of the hot attic, we have been serious about making the space more comfortable. We also had a keen eye to lowering the temperature in the attic to help keep our energy bills in check.

It took a few months to finish the attic renovation. And we did everything from refinishing the original floor to finishing new  walls to new lighting plan to new knee-wall perimeter storage that has been a dream-come-true for our closet-barren home.

And to help with the temperature and airflow, we installed two skylights, insulated, and spent time experimenting with the number and position of the returns in the attic.

We use the attic as our office, so we are very familiar with its everyday comfort-level. So when we still couldn’t get the room comfortable in the summer months, we looked upward last summer and planned the roof project.

With the installation of a solar attic fan, replacing the roof with a synthetic slate tiles, covering the surface with Grace Ice and Water Shield, we have actually cooled the attic to get closer to the rest of the house. No longer are we completely drenched in sweat while we work in the office.

The next step is going solar.

Not sure where that project falls on the to-do list. Maybe after the gates, perimeter drain in the basement, moving the stairs, installing a ½ bath, remodeling the living room…