I have a 1909 Victorian with an unfinished, but well-insulated, attic. I would like to turn it into a project room. The roof is quite peaked, so there would be a lot of room on either side of the down slant for cabinets, drawers, shelves, etc. I would need to add heating and cooling (I have a natural gas, forced air furnace). Do you have any advice on what finishing the attic would do to the environment of the house? I've been told that would cause ice dams in the gutters. I was thinking of installing pull-down stairs since I do not see where there would be room for a staircase. Any advice/examples you could give would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you,
Carlee O.
Fargo, ND