Alteration of the roof with a "cold" attic into a residential attic. Personal experience. We make a warm attic from the attic. Insulation of the attic of the house Design features of the attic floor
Converting the roof into an attic is the only way to cheaply expand the living space of a country house. After all, there is no need to build a second floor or build an extension next to the house, for which you will have to spend quite serious money. And if the volume of the attic space allows, this mainly concerns the height, then the restructuring process is reduced several times. So, in this article we will tell you how you can redo the roof of a house, what materials are used for this, and what technologies are used to carry out the whole process.
Rework Features
We recall once again that if the height of the attic allows, then the alteration is reduced to minimal costs. If the height is small, then one cannot do without serious work, which practically boils down to the reconstruction of a roofing structure. Therefore, we consider separately both options.
The height of the attic allows you to organize the attic
What is a cold attic. This is a truss system on which roofing material is laid through the lathing. In addition to the latter, the room with the street does not enclose anything. In fact, the outdoor temperature is also present inside the attic. Therefore, the main task of the manufacturer of works is to insulate the attic. Do everything so that heat loss through the roof structure is minimal. Let's start talking about this.
Insulation of the attic begins with the choice of thermal insulation material. It is present on the market in a large assortment, but literally two or three are chosen for the attic. More often these are either mineral wool boards, or expanded polystyrene boards, or polyurethane foam applied by spraying.
Which one to choose, everyone decides for himself. Just note that mineral wool is the worst of the three options in terms of thermal conductivity. But, choosing the right thickness of the plates, you can solve this problem. In addition, mineral wool is a non-combustible, environmentally friendly material with a long service life. In terms of flammability, polystyrene foam boards are inferior to everyone. And polyurethane foam is an expensive material.
We will not go into the details of choosing a heater, let's move on to other building materials that are used in the process of remodeling the roof of a house. There are two of them: waterproofing and vapor barrier film. The first will protect the insulation from moist air vapor that enters the attic from the interior of the house. The second will make it possible to remove moisture from the inside of the heat-insulating cake. Therefore, waterproofing is installed from the inside of the attic, vapor barrier from the outside, that is, between the insulation and the roofing.
It should be noted that the use of polyurethane foam and expanded polystyrene makes it possible to refuse protective films. Since both materials do not absorb moisture. But according to building canons, vapor barrier, which is also wind protection, is laid anyway. Because it acts as an additional protective layer in the construction of any roof, which will resist leaks in case the roofing is deformed or damaged for some reason.
On our website you can find the most . In the filters, you can set the desired direction, the presence of gas, water, electricity and other communications.
Roof insulation
All processes are carried out from the inside of the attic.
First on the rafter legs install vapor barrier film. If its width is not enough to cover the entire slope plane, then the installation is carried out in strips with an overlap of 10-20 cm. In this case, the installation starts from the floor, and the second strip is overlapped on top of the first. The joint must be closed with adhesive tape. An important point is that a coating is formed on the inner plane of the slope so that it fits the rafter system, as shown in the photo below.
Now between the rafter legs laying mineral wool boards. This is also clearly visible in the top photo. Here it is important to choose the width of the plates so that they fit snugly into the space between the rafters, tightly pressing against the ends of the boards. This is how you can ensure that cold bridges do not form.
And the next stage of the formation of a heat-insulating cake - installation of a waterproofing membrane. It is simply pulled along the rafters, and attached to them. It is impossible to pull strongly, it is necessary to leave a small sag between the rafter legs. If laying is carried out in stripes, then the process is carried out in exactly the same way as in the case of vapor barrier. That is, overlap using self-adhesive tape.
And the last. Spend sheathing of the truss system with a heater in it. To do this, use drywall, plywood, plastic panels, OSB boards, chipboard, fiberboard and more.
If polystyrene foam boards are used to insulate the attic, then the process is carried out in exactly the same way. Just do not lay a layer of waterproofing on top of the insulation. The same applies to the use of polyurethane foam.
On our website you can find contacts of construction companies that offer services roof design and repair. You can directly communicate with representatives by visiting the exhibition of houses "Low-Rise Country".
Floor formation
Alteration of the roof under the attic is not only the conduct of insulation processes. It is necessary to form a floor base that will be warm, reliable and beautiful. The very process of building a floor depends on what the floor of the house is. It can be concrete (precast concrete slabs or a single slab cast in the form of a reinforced monolith) or wooden, assembled along the floor's load-bearing beams.
In the first case, a lag structure is assembled, which is attached to a concrete base. A heater is laid between the elements, a waterproofing film is placed on top, and the flooring is already mounted on top.
With floor beams, almost the same thing. It's just that in this design there is one point that concerns the formation of the base for laying the insulation. It consists in the following:
Along the lower edge of the ends of the rafter legs, the so-called tiled bars. These are slats with a section of 40x40 or 50x50 mm, laid along the rafters.
On them stacking boards 20 mm thick or plate (sheet) material: plywood, OSB, chipboard.
And in already received cells lay insulation.
The height of the attic will not allow organizing the attic
This is the most difficult option for converting the roof of a wooden house into an attic and the most expensive, both in terms of cash investment and time spent. In fact, this is the reconstruction of the roof.
What are the stages of this process of alteration.
Design and making calculations.
Acquisition required additional materials.
Dismantling roofing.
Dismantling truss system with a crate.
Formation mansard roof.
Her warming.
Mounting roofing material.
Floor formation and interior decoration of the new premises.
Design
Here choose the type of mansard roof. We immediately indicate that an attic can be organized under any roof structure. It’s just that it’s difficult to organize a living space under hip, multi-gable and hip rabbits. There is little space underneath them. Therefore, preference is given to three varieties, which are shown in the photo below.
The simplest model is the usual gable roof. But in order to increase the space, the architects recommend raising it to a small height - up to 1 m. To do this, they additionally dismantle the old Mauerlat, raise the walls of the building, and already install the Mauerlat and the truss system from above.
Pay attention to the photo below, where you can clearly see that the rafter legs are raised above the level of the walls of the house on support posts made of the same boards as the rafters. The racks rest against the Mauerlat, and they are attached to it. After the installation is completed, the attic wall is sheathed and insulated, as is the truss system.
If the house is brick, then the walls of the attic are built of brick, raising the walls of the house itself to the required height. And already a Mauerlat is laid on them, followed by the installation of a truss system.
If a standard mansard roof project is being created, then all calculations are carried out taking into account the structure of the structure. By the way, about the calculations. It is important to carry them out correctly, taking into account the snow and wind load. In fact, these calculations are not easy. The strength and reliability of the roof structure depends on them, so professional designers are involved in this stage.
Purchase of materials
First, it should be noted that troubleshooting is carried out during reconstruction. That is, the exploited material is examined for its qualitative state. If some parts and assemblies do not meet the requirements of the calculations, and this is usually a section, thickness or length, then they will have to be replaced. Although there are technologies when, for example, lumber does not meet the length parameters, it is simply lengthened.
Having drawn up a defective act, they proceed to the selection of the necessary materials. It should be noted that, when reconstructing the roof, they try to get rid of the roofing material. If it has served on the roof for enough time, then during dismantling it is highly likely to fail. Therefore, roofing material is purchased in full in accordance with the project of a new roof.
Dismantling operations
As the saying goes, to break is not to build. So this is the easiest process. But do not be too zealous, because it is important to save the materials for future use.
Video description
The video shows how the old gable roof is dismantled:
Formation of a new mansard roof
So, the project is taken as the basis for the construction, which indicates the type of roof, its dimensions and the materials used for the construction. Look at the photo below, and you will immediately understand what the frame of a traditional attic is. In fact, these are slopes, consisting of two parts, which are supported by racks and girders. The latter form the premises.
In short, the frame assembly technology is as follows:
Install vertical racks.
Them tied with beams, which perform not only the functions of strapping, but also supports for roof rafters.
Form the upper slopes roofs with a truss system. The legs can be installed either in a layered view (with mounting a ridge run) or a hanging type, as shown in the top photo.
Mount the rafters, which form the lower parts of the roof slope. They rest with their upper ends against the upper trim of the attic, with their lower ends against the Mauerlat.
In fact, the frame is ready, you can move on to other work. First of all, gables are closed, in which dormers are usually installed. If a balcony is attached to the attic, then a door is inserted into the pediment.
Next, a windproof film is laid on top of the rafter system. They fasten it to the rafters, lay it in strips from the bottom up with an overlap of 10-20 cm. The joints of the strips must be closed with self-adhesive tape. Then they mount the counter-lattice, crate and roofing material. After that, all processes are transferred to the attic room.
From the inside of the attic, they carry out all the same processes that were described above. That is, insulation, floor formation and finishing.
Video description
In the video, the specialist conducts an overview of the mansard roof, talks about materials, assemblies and details:
Skylights
It should be noted that the dormer windows installed on the gables of the attic do not provide the constructed room with daylight. In addition, they are not present in all projects. The best option for the attic are the so-called roof windows.
They are represented on the market by a large assortment from a huge number of manufacturers. And each brand of windows has its own installation technology. In general, all technologies are somewhat similar, but they also have their own distinctive features. We will not dwell on the installation technology of skylights in this article, because this is the topic of an entire article.
I just wanted to note that today's proposals are not just standard window designs. This is a large number of additional options that increase the performance of windows. As one of the new options - a roof window, which, when opened, forms a small balcony.
Video description
In order for you to understand what we are talking about, we suggest watching a video that shows how this window construction opens and closes:
Conclusion on the topic
Alteration of the attic into the second floor (residential) - the process is actually not the easiest. Especially if a complete reconstruction of the roofing structure is carried out. This process will take more than one day. The costs will be significant, but it is still cheaper than building, for example, a second full-fledged floor with the construction of walls and ceilings, as well as the installation of a separate roof.
How to increase the living space of the house? The obvious answer is to convert the attic into an attic. Much of the work can be done by hand. There are also some complex issues that require the help of specialists. For example, the creation of stairs, electrical, heating, plumbing and sewerage. Inserting windows into the roof according to individual sizes is a specific process that is almost always performed by a specialized organization.
attic conversion project
The importance of design decisions is very significant. The project contains ready-made answers to difficult questions. Here are some examples of questions that you need to find solutions to in the process of arranging the attic with your own hands.
- The power of electrical consumers, types of electrical protection, placement of the electrical panel and wiring.
- The location of the holes for pipelines, the power of radiators, the heating scheme, pipe fastenings.
- The width of the opening for the stairs, the location of the fences, railings that prevent falling from a height.
- The layout of the rooms, the location of the partitions, their design, the load on the floor.
- The design of the insulation, its weight, the location and size of the windows, the level of illumination.
Before you start creating an attic with your own hands, you need to draw up a detailed action plan and a list of necessary materials (estimate). This will be of great help to the finished project of the building.
The order of work on the construction of the attic is approximately the same in all cases, we will consider it in more detail.
Do-it-yourself work order
- A staircase is being created, a safe passage to the attic is being formed. Without a wide comfortable flight of stairs, the attic does not exist as such. A finished staircase is also necessary for effective work on the arrangement of the attic.
- Power supply, lighting.
- Do you need water to work? It may be more expedient to immediately carry out a temporary water supply and equip a sewer drain so as not to bother with the delivery of water.
- In the attic, all rubbish is removed, dust removal is done. It is more pleasant to work in cleanliness.
- The roof is insulated. Since the work is done by hand, it is easier to create insulation from the side of the attic, without dismantling the roof from the outside.
- Roof insulation is a key work in creating an attic. Only with the help of insulation can a cold attic be turned into a cozy attic.
- In parallel with the insulation, windows are cut into the roof, in coordination with the organization involved in their installation.
- Interior decoration is being done, light interior partitions are being erected, more often of a panel type made of drywall, if any.
- All communications are carried out, final finishing is done.
- Floors with increased sound insulation are laid, like a floating screed on a sound insulator layer.
Let us analyze in more detail the main point - how to make insulation in the attic with your own hands.
How to properly insulate the attic, design features
If work on the construction and insulation of the attic is carried out only from the side of the attic, then it will be necessary to install persistent bars with a thickness of 30 mm or more nailed to the sidewalls of the rafters at the ceiling. With the help of these bars, a ventilation gap will be formed above the layer of mineral wool. 
And why is mineral wool mainly used for attic insulation?
This is a "breathing" insulation that can be used without negative consequences in contact with wood, that is, installed between the rafters. Plus, he's not hot. The required insulation thickness is 20 cm according to the calculations according to SNiP for the climate of the Moscow Region and regions similar in climate.
Since the height of the rafters is not enough to accommodate such a layer of insulation, it is necessary to create a counter-lattice from bars located horizontally in increments of 600 mm (the pitch for attaching drywall and other panels). It is also possible to use thin profiles (beams) on suspensions.
First, a superdiffusion membrane is installed between the rafters, with a vapor permeability of more than 1400 g / m2 / 24h, and an upper operating temperature of +100 degrees C and above. Installation is carried out from the bottom up so that the joints are not lifted by a jet of air.
Then the insulation is laid flat without gaps, tied with cords. It is closed with a solid vapor barrier, which is attached to the counter-lattice using 1 cm thick strips, including transverse ones, which will support the insulation.
These strips form an additional gap between the vapor barrier and the panel trim.
More often, ready-made plasterboard panels are used, which are attached to the crate with screws and then puttied, forming a continuous closure of the roofing pie.
A special nuance when creating an attic is to ensure the ventilation of the insulation through rising ventilation ducts, in this case between the rafters, and the presence of a vapor barrier from the side of the building. It is also important to prevent contamination of living space with harmful mineral wool.
This is how the attic is insulated and turned into an attic. Unfortunately, it is not possible to consider other important points of the construction of the attic on one page in detail. The work on creating an attic with your own hands is very voluminous, but a general description of how to make an attic should help the home master in this matter.
Consider several options for reworking the most common attic floors. In the first of them (Fig. 1), we reinforce rafters 2 and floor beams 3 with overlays 8 and 9, respectively, connecting the latter with racks 10. Then we attach puffs 7 to struts 4 and reinforced rafters. were carriers.
If the trusses in the attic are located quite often (in increments of about 600 mm), then the load is transferred from the roof to the floor beams. After changing the structural and power scheme of the attic floors, the load on the floor beams will be redistributed and increase, since the weight of the furniture and inhabitants of the second floor will be added. Therefore, it is better to install additional I-beams with wooden shelves and a metal corrugated wall, on top of which you can safely lay the floor.
It should be noted that it is necessary to remake the floor trusses consistently, in order to avoid excessive deflection of the roof and its damage. This design will free up space for trusses with a width of 3 to 4 m.
Having finished with the alteration of attic trusses, you should take care of the windows to be cut out in the roof and the insulation of the future living quarters.
In another version (Fig. 2) with a peaked roof, the frame trusses use central posts 2 and two struts 3. When they are located in increments of 500 to 1000 mm, rafter 1 and ceiling beam 6 should be strengthened, doubling their cross section.
Do-it-yourself mansard roof - types of truss systems
Rice. 1. A house with a classic gable roof - the design of the truss system: 1 - roof; 2 - rafter; 3 - floor beam; 4.5 - old struts; 6 - support; 7 - new puff; 8 - reinforcing pad of boards on the rafters; 9 - reinforcement of the ceiling beam; 10 - rack.
Rice. 2. A house with a pointed gable roof - the design of the truss system: 1 - rafter; 2 - central pillar; 3 - support; 4 - new puff; 5 - new truss brace; 6 - floor beam; 7-roof.
Then it is necessary to fix the puff 4 on the rafters and the central pillar 2 along the height of the ceiling and the inclined beams 5, which help to redistribute the load from the roof to the floor beams 6. After that, you can remove the lower parts of the racks 2 and supports 3, freeing up space for the future room.
After completing the preparatory work and making sure that nothing threatens the roof and its roof, you should insulate the future home and cut out the windows.
In the third version of roofs with gentle slopes (Fig. 3), often found in places with a hot climate, it is necessary first of all to increase the ceiling height of the future attic. This can be done only at the expense of the premises located under it.
This work is difficult, since it is necessary to disassemble the ceiling and fix floor beams 9 on the walls of the lower floor, on top of which the flooring will be arranged. But in order not to spoil the premises of the lower floor, it is necessary to choose the appropriate niches in its walls, if, of course, their thickness allows. Only after that should proceed to further reconstruction.
All of the above is nothing more than general recommendations, since there can be many options for remodeling houses, especially private construction. In this case, an individual approach is required to the selection of the cross sections of beams, supports and other building elements by calculating their strength.
At the same time, all of them must be protected from the negative effects of the environment. According to the current building codes and regulations (SNiP), in order for a person to feel comfortable, the ceiling height must be at least 2.5 m.
Do-it-yourself residential attic (mansard) - photo
Two people within ten days can convert / convert the attic into a living space. To do this, they will need: a level, a hammer, a construction stapler, a circular saw, a rotary hammer, a cordless screwdriver, a knife, a hacksaw for wood and a saw for metal.
In the photo, in figures, the stages of the construction of the mansard roof and the construction of a residential loft:
1. I-beams were brought up and laid horizontally the day before the start of work. In case of rain, they should be covered with a film. (no photo - everything is clear here)
2. A piece of roofing was removed from the edge of one of the roof slopes to raise the beams to the attic.
3. Floor beams installed in the attic.
4. After mounting the I-beams, the truss struts are temporarily attached to them with screws.
5-6. In the ceiling of the first floor, it is necessary to make an opening between the floor beams and strengthen it with a strapping of glued beams. To do this, wooden plates are attached to the shelves of the I-beams, and metal corners, which are the support of the strapping beams, are attached to them below.
7. Puffs are screwed to the struts and rafters with screws.
8. We cut the struts of the trusses along the screed to free up space in the attic and start laying the floor.
9. Before laying the floor, it is necessary to move only along the floor beams so as not to step on the old ceiling.
10. Before laying mineral wool, electrical and plumbing communications should be placed between the beams of the ceiling of the first floor.
11. Moisture-resistant floor slabs are laid end-to-end on the ceiling beams and fastened with screws.
12. The floor in the attic is arranged over the entire area of \u200b\u200bthe room, including the space under the lower part of the roof slope, which can be effectively used by equipping pantries here.
13. Windows should be installed after laying the thermal insulation, but openings in the roof for them must be made in advance.
14. Brackets on puffs and rafters are designed for fastening the metal frame of future partitions and are located in increments of 1.2 m.
15. Forced ventilation pipes must be installed before fixing the drywall sheets.
16. Where doors are supposed to be installed, openings are formed from wooden blocks.
Materials of the author J.Decroix (France) were used to prepare the article
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Modern people try to use the area of their home as efficiently as possible. Therefore, the proposal to equip additional space under the roof is always met with enthusiasm. It is much easier to plan the construction of an attic at the stage of building a house, but you can make an additional superstructure above the old building.
How to make an attic on an old house
The presence of an attic not only increases the living space, but also gives the building a colorful look.
The attic turns a country house into a fabulous building
An old house can be updated by building a superstructure in accordance with existing standards.
The attic superstructure begins with calculations of the strength of the old house
First you need to decide whether the existing foundation and walls can withstand the load of the attic floor and the new roof. If they have a sufficient margin of safety, then you can start remodeling the house. Otherwise, they should be strengthened.
Old brick walls sometimes seem strong, but with additional stress, cracks may appear in the mortar over time. Therefore, it is necessary to immediately consider their condition, and, if necessary, tie them with a rigid belt. This is done as follows:
- metal poles with a section of 10x10 cm are inserted into the foundation with the lower edge, and connected with the armored belt of the first floor with the upper edge. Installed around the perimeter of the house every 2 meters;
- metal fittings with a cross section of 12 mm are placed in strakes and tie the house along the walls: from the bottom of the window every 2 meters up;
- a metal mesh with a cell size of 2x2 cm is laid on top of the reinforcement, which, after completion of all work, is covered with plaster.
Strengthening the foundation is carried out by tying with a reinforcing belt from all sides.
If the old foundation cannot withstand the attic, then it must be sheathed with reinforcement
Having decided on the strengthening of the building, you can proceed to the choice of the project of the future superstructure. It should look harmonious against the background of other buildings and match the style of the whole house.
The type of mansard roof will determine the calculation of the dimensions of the inner upper room and the necessary materials for construction
There are several types of attics:
- single-level with a gable roof - low ceilings with a small living space;
A single-level attic with a gable roof is the simplest type of superstructure for small buildings
- single-level with a sloping gable roof - increased interior space, but serious costs and time for construction;
A single-level attic with a broken gable roof is usually built on a brick house
- single-level with cantilever extensions - a complex structure that allows you to get even more area, since the attic frame extends beyond the building, and the windows are installed vertically;
A single-level attic with cantilever extensions allows you to get a lot of internal space by increasing the upper structure
- multi-level with mixed roof support - used in the construction of a new house, built only by specialists.
A multi-level attic with a mixed roof support on old houses is usually not installed due to the complexity and large amount of work.
Video: converting half of the old roof into an attic - an easy way
Alteration of the roof under the attic is a relatively cheap way to increase living space. In a private house, a pitched roof is usually placed, so you can make an additional spacious and bright room with your own hands.
Internal wood paneling makes the attic warm and bright
And if the house is large enough in length, then the attic can turn into a real floor: with several rooms and even a balcony.
A large attic allows you to divide the area into different residential areas
Advantages of creating an attic:
- the possibility of arranging one or more new living rooms;
An attic with low ceilings under a gable roof is most conveniently furnished with low sunbeds
- low costs compared to the construction of a full-fledged floor or a side extension to the house;
- renovation of the exterior of the building;
A house with an attic under construction always attracts the eyes of passers-by and is interested in the final result.
- the opportunity to observe a beautiful view from the attic window.
A lot of sunlight comes through the windows in the attic, illuminating the room all day
However, this solution also has certain disadvantages that must also be taken into account:
- the need for insulation and soundproofing of the ceiling and a new roof, the installation of several double-glazed windows;
- the difficulty of conducting additional heating and lighting in the upper part of the old house - you will have to combine it with home wiring or use an autonomous connection;
To heat the attic with access to the balcony, you can use a potbelly stove
- layout of a part of the home space under the stairs leading to the attic;
The stairs leading to the attic must be fenced for safety.
- the need to purchase special furniture for a sloping roof or purchase squat models: low cabinets, sofas and tables.
Low furniture is best suited for attic interiors
The presence of sloping walls makes the room unusual and romantic, but with this decision you will have to take a more responsible approach to design development. You can make furniture for an inclined superstructure yourself or assemble a single complex from existing multi-level models, painting everything in one color.
Furniture that repeats the slope of the attic can be made independently
So, the main disadvantage of converting an attic into an attic is the need to invest, but it's worth it.
Building an attic will cost much less than creating an additional floor, regardless of what materials will be used to build the walls. Indeed, to create them, you will need the main material, insulation and decoration, while for the attic superstructure you only need roof insulation and a new truss system.
The superstructure is made in a symmetrical or asymmetrical shape. Internal walls are designed both inclined and vertical.
Having studied the schemes of single-level attics with different types of roofs, it is easier to make a choice when planning
Alteration of the attic into an attic does not require the dismantling of all existing structures. But you need to make sure that the ceiling is reliable: check its condition, reinforce it with wooden or metal beams, sheathe it with a new board. Then it will be able to withstand the weight of furniture and people.
For frequent climbing to the attic, you will need to make a comfortable staircase, provide for the installation of ventilation, natural and artificial lighting, and perform interior decoration - all this will create a cozy and comfortable room.
The sloping roof superstructure, decorated in light colors, visually enlarges the space, while splashes of color add brightness to the interior.
When building an attic floor, the following conditions must be met:
- rafters are made of glued timber with a thickness of at least 250 mm so that the required amount of insulation can be laid;
- foamed polystyrene is used for insulation due to its low weight and high thermal insulation characteristics;
- a gap is left between the thermal insulation and the roofing material to provide natural ventilation;
- a hydro- and sound-proof layer must be laid.
Alteration of the roof under the attic do it yourself
During the construction of a house, there is usually not enough money, so many refuse to build a second floor. Or another situation may arise when an old one-story house of a small area is purchased along with the site. In both cases, there is an affordable option for increasing the place to live - do-it-yourself restructuring of the attic space into an attic.
Create a project
Before starting work, you need to draw up a plan and develop a project with accurate drawings. The correct calculation will allow you to get a cozy, durable and reliable room. You can perform all the calculations yourself or entrust it to specialists.
You can draw a plan and develop a draft design yourself by studying various options on the Internet
Strengthening the walls and foundation may be necessary in the event of a complete replacement of the rafters. If the roof is partially redone, then reinforcement may be needed only for overlapping. You also need to immediately decide what types of windows will be used in the attic: the reinforcement in the truss system will depend on this.
The location of all windows in the attic roof must be thought out in advance and this data entered into the project plan
truss system
Rafters can be layered or hanging. The former rest on the inner walls of the house or additional supports, and the latter on the outer walls.
In the attic, layered and hanging rafters are used.
Hanging rafters are best suited for the attic.
An attic with hanging rafters looks prettier and wins in the size of the internal area
The attic usually occupies the entire space of the attic, and its walls are combined with the outer ones.
The best option for creating an attic is a layered truss system.
The rafter system consists of different load-bearing bars. To understand the structure of the entire structure and build it correctly, you need to understand the purpose and operation of its individual elements.
The image of the individual elements of the truss system helps to understand the structure of the entire structure
Refurbishment of the premises
With a sufficient height of the attic, the truss system does not need to be redone. It is enough to inspect the old rafters, identify possible flaws and eliminate them.
If the truss system is in good condition, you can proceed to the arrangement of the floor. Insulation is first laid between the lags, after which the surface is sheathed with ordinary boards or sheets of OSB, chipboard.
The floor in the attic is insulated and covered with boards
Before laying the insulation, all necessary communications are mounted between the rafters, places are cut in the roof for installing windows. carried out before warming.
All wires and pipes of communications must be placed in special corrugations
Care must be taken to create natural ventilation of the under-roof space through the vents so that moisture does not accumulate inside the room.
Roof insulation
It is necessary to insulate the roof correctly and efficiently - the microclimate under the roof will depend on this. Typically, mineral wool, polystyrene foam or sprayed polyurethane foam is used as insulation.
A thick layer of heat insulator is tightly laid and fixed between the rafters so that there are no gaps or gaps anywhere. On the upper part of the roof - between the roof and the insulation - waterproofing is mounted, then heat-insulating material is laid from the side of the room. Then from the inside the insulation is covered with a vapor barrier film.
For better ventilation, a small distance is left between the roofing material and the insulation: this is how air circulates through the holes in the cornice and ridge. If the roof is covered with corrugated sheets, then the thickness of the gap should be 25 mm, if with flat material, then it should be increased to 50 mm.
When creating attic thermal insulation, it is necessary to strictly observe the sequence of layers
When planning an ascent to the attic, you need to take care of the convenience and safety of movement. Therefore, the ladder is usually mounted inside the house. It is constructed from wood or metal: it can be either a screw or a marching structure.
The staircase to the attic can be of different types and designs, which allows it to fit into any interior.
An opening is cut in the ceiling of the first floor, which is reinforced along the perimeter with metal or wooden strapping.
The design of the stairs to the attic must be durable, reliable, safe and beautiful.
Interior decoration
For wall cladding, in most cases, gypsum boards are used, the seams between them are plastered. Wallpaper is glued on top or decorative plaster is applied. An alternative option is lining or natural wood.
If some rafters protrude through the walls into the attic, then they can be designed as decorative elements and even used as a horizontal bar for hanging a hammock, swing, chandelier and other fixtures.
The design of the visible parts of the rafters in the interior of the attic is an interesting and creative business.
It is not recommended to use heavy finishing materials in the attic, as they increase the load on the walls, ceiling and foundation of the building.
There are many options for interior decoration of the attic, but it is advisable to use only light materials.
To cover the floor, you can use a laminate or linoleum, and it is better to refuse tiles or porcelain stoneware.
Roof of the attic floor
The roof of a residential superstructure should consist of the following layers (in order - from the street to the interior):
Video: why and how to properly lay layers on the roof of the attic
Mansard roof calculations for a house
Determination of the total weight of the roof
To calculate the total weight of roofing materials, it is necessary to multiply the specific gravity of one square meter of coverage by the total area of the attic roof. To obtain the weight of one square meter, it is necessary to add up the specific gravity of all the materials that make up the roofing cake, and multiply it by the safety factor (1.1).
If the thickness of the crate is 25 mm, then its specific gravity is 15 kg / m 2, a 10 cm thick insulation has a specific gravity of 10 kg / m 2, and ondulin roofing material has a weight of 3 kg / m 2. It turns out: (15 + 10 + 3) x1.1 \u003d 30.8 kg / m 2.
According to existing standards, the load on the ceiling in a residential building should not exceed 50 kg / m 2.
Roof area determination
To calculate the surface of a sloping roof, you need to break it into simple shapes (square, rectangle, trapezium, etc.) and determine their area, and then add everything up. To determine the surface of a gable roof, it is necessary to multiply the length by the width, multiply the resulting value by two.
Table: determination of the attic roof area
When calculating the angle of inclination, the climatic zone in which the house is located is taken into account, and that it is convenient to move in the attic in full growth
It is also necessary to calculate the slope of the roof. Usually the angle is 45–60 degrees, but when determining it, one must take into account the climatic zone in which the house is located, the type of attic construction, snow, wind loads, and the architectural design of the house.
The greater the angle of inclination of the roof, the less will be the load on the truss system, but the consumption of materials will increase.
Calculation of the truss system
When choosing a truss system, you can stop at the following options:
- hanging rafters;
- oblique type;
- skating run;
- combined design.
If the length of the roof is more than 4.5 m, then support runs and struts can be used for reinforcement. With a length of more than 7 meters, a ridge beam is installed.
For wooden rafters, a bar with a thickness of at least 70 mm is used. The step of their installation should be 50 cm.
On a large area, it is better to fix a metal truss system: due to the increase in the distance between the rafters, the absence of spacers and struts, the weight of such a structure will be less than that of a wooden one, and the strength will increase significantly.
If the attic area is large, then it is better to install metal rafters
Calculation of the required amount of materials
To carry out the calculation, you need to know the following parameters:
- width, thickness and pitch of the rafters;
- distance from the edge of the roof to the rafters;
- the size of the boards for the crate and the step between them;
- size, type of roofing material and overlap between its sheets;
- type of steam, hydro and thermal insulation material.
The roof is divided into simple shapes and the required amount of each of the materials is determined. For this, simple mathematical formulas are used.
The results obtained are converted into standard values: for wood - in cubic meters, for roofing materials, steam, hydro and thermal insulation - in square meters. And you can go to the store.
Common Mistakes
Most often, with self-calculation, errors are obtained during the determination of the required amount of insulation. If the climatic conditions are severe, then its volume will have to be increased, otherwise it will not be possible to create comfortable living conditions in the attic. The insulation is laid on the floor of the house, the walls of the gable and the slopes of the roof. But everywhere the thickness of the insulation can be different.
Video: calculation of a mansard roof with diagrams and loads
The attic floor allows you to get additional living space and gives the private house a modern attractive appearance. It is not difficult to create an attic with your own hands, you just need to draw up a project correctly, perform calculations and carry out high-quality installation of all materials. And the result will please the owners for a long time.
The idea of converting a cold attic into a warm and cozy attic is not new, it usually arises when the house in the summer cottage simply does not accommodate all its residents, but there is no room to make an extension. Converting an attic into a living space is much cheaper than completely dismantling the entire roof and building a new floor, and it takes much less time.
Types of forms of mansard roofs.
We draw up an attic project
In order to make an attic from an attic in a house from an unheated attic, you must first prepare a project. This is necessary so that your future does not collapse, but serves for a long time. It is usually recommended to entrust such work to professionals, since a partial change in the truss system is planned, reinforcement may be required. If no cardinal changes are foreseen, then the project can be drawn up independently on a piece of paper, and then only you should get to work.
Diagram of the supporting structure of the roof.
Today, all roof truss systems can be divided into hanging, when the rafters rest on the outer walls of the house, and inclined, where there are supports on the inner walls or additional supports. In the latter case, it will not work to make a single space under the roof, since it is impossible to remove the supports.
Attics themselves can vary in their design:
- c, that is, occupying the entire space and having a sloping ceiling, the walls here are combined with the outer ones;
- with side partitions between the inner and outer walls.
Stages of roof reconstruction
You can follow these steps:
- project preparation;
- preparation of tools and materials;
- checking and strengthening, if necessary, the truss structure;
- roof insulation;
- exit device;
- Finishing work.
Before you make the attic insulation, you need to think about a ventilated under-roof space.
Let's touch on the work with the truss system in more detail. First, we prepare the necessary tools and materials that will be needed for the reconstruction. It will depend on the scope of work, but usually required:
- carpentry tools (hammer, nails, wood screws, saw, jigsaw);
- protective gloves and goggles;
- building level;
- drill;
- heating pipes, electric cable for communications, special corrugation for laying;
- insulation, steam and waterproofing membrane;
- Decoration Materials.
If the height of the attic is sufficient to make an attic with your own hands, then you do not need to disassemble the roof. You just need to carefully inspect the rafters for damage, replace them if necessary.
If the roof rafters are in excellent condition, then you only need to do the floor with your own hands. To do this, mineral wool is laid between the lags for insulation, after which the floor is sewn on top with chipboard or OSB boards, they are fastened with self-tapping screws.
It is also necessary to lay insulation between the rafters, having previously completed the wiring of engineering networks, but first we determine whether there is enough natural light in the attic.
To do this, it is necessary to cut a hole in the roof and install window frames. Special windows for attics are on sale ready-made, all that remains is to insert the frame. Do-it-yourself windows are installed before the insulation is laid, at the same time doorways are formed. If necessary, the roof at the installation site of the window is re-covered with roofing, sealing the joints between the frame and the roof.
Attention: before you do it, you need to think about a ventilated under-roof space.
What and how to insulate the under-roof space?
One of the most crucial moments is the question of how to ensure a comfortable microclimate and protection of all structural elements. Using only your hands, you can use materials such as foam boards, mineral wool or polyurethane.
Experts usually recommend the use of mineral wool boards, which are perfectly and very easy to fit between the rafters, covered on both sides with a hydro- and vapor barrier film. Before starting the insulation, it is necessary to carry out engineering networks, that is, electrical cables and heating pipes, it is best to place them in a special corrugation. For this, holes are made in the rafters for laying.
The insulation itself fits very tightly, you can not leave any gaps and cavities. A vapor barrier is laid over the mineral wool, which is fastened with brackets to a wooden surface. The film is overlapped, it cannot be stretched.
After insulation, the walls are sewn up with OSB boards or drywall, all seams are puttied. Such a flat and smooth surface is ideal for finishing work.
We make an exit to the attic
Turning the attic into a living space, it is necessary to provide for the construction of a convenient staircase upstairs. A variety of options are possible, in some cases it can be an open staircase from the street that leads to a cozy balcony or terrace, but in most cases it is better to build an internal staircase.
The best options that you can easily do with your own hands are spiral or mid-flight stairs made of wood, which do not take up a lot of usable space.
Cleaning work in the attic
A single-flight staircase is a safe type of staircase because its steps are rectangular in shape.
Before proceeding to the last stage of turning a boring and dusty attic into a comfortable and bright attic, you need to make sure that all engineering communications have been completed. This is not only electrical wiring, but also heating pipes, which are an indispensable element of any living space.
For attics, they can be carried out under the floor by connecting to the main system in the area of \u200b\u200bthe stairs, but basically the do-it-yourself wiring of such systems depends on the layout of not only the attic, but the whole house. At the same time, it is desirable to hide engineering communications in special corrugated metal pipes, which fit perfectly even in a layer of insulation.
Do-it-yourself fine finishing, as the final step in turning an attic into an attic, consists in transforming the floor and sloping walls. It all depends only on the imagination of the owner, the walls can be covered with decorative plaster or wallpaper, but many people prefer to trim with natural wood or clapboard. It looks attractive and organic in such rooms. If you still have protruding rafters, then they can be used as an excellent decorative element, covered with stain and varnish.
But when choosing finishing materials for the attic, one must remember that it is not necessary to create a large load here, so heavy building materials are not suitable. For the floor, you can make a simple flooring from OSB boards, insulate it with mineral wool, and laminate or linoleum can be mounted on top.
