Adding an extra bedroom to your home is a worthwhile home remodeling project that can meaningfully improve the livability of your home as well as its value. One thing some people tend to overlook when diving into this project is the local building codes, which dictate very specific conditions that a space must meet to be used as a bedroom.
Read on as our skilled designers and builders at Highland Design + Build Birmingham walk you through the strict code requirements of building a bedroom.
Sizing
Local codes vary from one jurisdiction to another, but general guidelines agree on a few specific points. Size is one of these points that is more or less uniform across the board. A single-occupancy bedroom must have an area of at least 70 square feet. Your remodeling contractor should add an additional 50 square feet more for every person who will use the room. In addition, ceiling heights must be a minimum of 7 feet high.
Doors and Windows
A bedroom cannot be accessed solely by going through another bedroom. Although shared spaces like Jack-and-Jill bathrooms are considered normal, Individual bedrooms must have their own ingress points. Additionally, bedrooms must also have at least two egress or exit points. This is to comply with minimum fire safety regulations. Egress points can be the same as the ingress point or, simply, a window wide enough for a person to fit through in case of emergencies.
Other Considerations
Other code requirements involve electrical access, lighting, ventilation and heating. Your home improvement company can help you make all the important decisions during the initial consultation for a bedroom remodel or addition.
Get top-quality renovation services with our professionals at Highland Design + Build, your number one provider of complete home improvement solutions. Give us a call at (205) 968-6000 or fill out our online contact form to schedule an in-home consultation with our representatives and get a free quote today. We serve homeowners in Birmingham and Homewood, AL.