I am installing a sub panel in an attic space to be finished. It will be fed from a 60A breaker in the main panel in the basement. Would you typically use a main lug panel or main breaker panel for the sub in this situation ?

I almost always use main breaker panels for sub-panels. I consider it an additional disconnect and haven't had any complaints from inspectors yet.

Dave

Most main breaker panels come with the neutral bar bonded to the ground bar or just have 2 neutral bars bonded together. This would need to be seperate in a sub panel use

You should be able to do it either way as long as grounded conductor is isolated from grounding conductor and you use a 4 wire feeder.

Im for the Main breaker panel with an Isolated nutreal bar. The added disconnect and protection could only be a good thing. However, the more economical way to go is the main lug which has an iso bar already in it.