Attic Conversion

[Brandon V.]

Hi Everyone,

I'm looking at buying a Single Family House and converting the attic into another bedroom and have a couple questions:

1.  The attic has two exits, the stair leading to it and window right next to the stairs.  The window is 24" by 48".  Would this be acceptable to code?  

2.  As it is an attic, I'm not sure if it could support a bull bedroom?  Who would I need to contact do make sure that the support would be sufficient enough to hold everything.  Does anyone have a contact for Milwaukee, WI?

3.  The attic slopes down fairly quickly but in the middle has an 8 foot clearance.  Would this be an issue at all? 

Thanks!

Brandon

[Jim Adrian]

@Brandon V.

A bedroom window needs 5.7 sq ft of open space to egress thru.  I don't think your window is big enough.  I don't have the residential code at my figure tips but the IBC 2012 section 1029 covers the requirements.  Both codes state pretty much the same thing.  You need 2 exits, the door to get into the room and the window.    Call the building dept to get info, as this will require permits and inspections.