I live in a two-story house that's about 15 years old, and I've been thinking about converting my attic into a living space. The problem is that the attic has pre-built trusses, and I'm unsure if it's doable. I reached out to some structural engineers for advice, but only one got back to me, and he wasn't willing to come check out the setup. He mentioned something about the trusses acting like a suspension bridge and that they're key to the second floor's stability. Has anyone done something similar or have any tips?
1 Answer
Converting truss-attic designs isn't straightforward. Usually, they were engineered for open space and aren’t easily modified for living areas. Without seeing your specific setup, it’s tough to give accurate advice. In many cases, adaptation is impractical and can be risky, which might be why the engineer avoided coming out—he likely sees it as a wasted effort.
Sounds like my attic too! It’s a total maze up there.