In the forties of the last century, the problem of lack of housing was very urgent. This prompted the French architect to come up with a wonderful idea: after all, empty attics can be used not only as warehouses for unnecessary things, but also as a completely comfortable place to stay. The idea was liked by many, and the previously unnecessary area began to be turned into studio rooms, workshops and storerooms, which later received the name of their founder - Mansarde.

Recently in Russia, the popularity of attic spaces has only increased. Attic from the attic the most common occurrence. This is due to the departure from standard projects in the cottage construction industry. As soon as you leave the city, then rows of neat country houses with gable roofs, under which the owners carefully equip the attic from the attic. By the way, not only the French are aware of housing problems. An attic from an attic without significant cash costs can significantly increase the living area of \u200b\u200ba house; it can be used to equip a bright, cozy bedroom or an attractive workshop.

Therefore, it is not surprising that one of the leading places is occupied by wooden houses with a variety of attics. But it is one thing when the attic is included in the project and is erected immediately upon, in this case it is finished with the same materials as the other floors of the building, and quite another is the attic from the attic, that is, the alteration of the old attic space. In this case, the owner of the house expects a number of problems associated with and design solutions. Converting an attic into a beautiful and cozy attic is a difficult task, but doable.

First of all, when the attic is equipped from the attic, stairs are erected and the floors and rafters are strengthened. produced by mounting on the roof of triangular trusses. This rafter system is reliable, lightweight, and has a low cost. Suitable even for complex ones that consist of many elements. In order to make the rafters look more attractive, they are subsequently covered with varnish or paint.

One of the main challenges is maintaining a comfortable temperature in the attic space. This problem is faced by both those who remodel the attic into an attic and those who had an attic in the project initially. To retain heat, it must be used under flooring, and in the space between the rafters. The so-called and can give a good effect.

The attic does not tolerate mustiness and shadows. It is good lighting that, first of all, distinguishes it from the attic. If the roof window is placed on the pitched side of the roof so that it looks into the sky, then the light in the room will be one and a half to two times more than when equipping a similar opening in the vertical plane. It should be remembered that the window area should be at least ten percent of the attic floor area. But the height is selected individually. At the same time, someone is guided by a pleasant view, someone has a handle at a convenient height, and for someone a large amount of light is preferable, so the window is more than two meters above the floor.

You are building a house. The load-bearing structures are ready, the utilities are completed.

Kinds mansard roofs: 1-gable roof without load-bearing wall, 2- gable roof with an attic wall, 3- hip, 4- hipped roof.

Want to make the most of your space while maintaining comfort and coziness?

In this case, it is better to organize an attic room instead of an attic. An attic superstructure can be arranged in any building.

Initially, when attics appeared in the West, they were used as servants' rooms. It was only after the Second World War that attics began to be actively used as living rooms.

The attic is the most rational use of the attic, for this reason they have become popular in our country.

In addition, the attic space in a private house has a special appeal and romanticism in the human mind, and the abundance of fresh air and light brings you closer to nature.

But do not forget that the attic structure must not only withstand mechanical loads (for example, snow), but also protect the room from precipitation and wind.

Add a floor in a renovated building

There are many options for adding an attic over an existing building. But first of all, it is necessary to figure out which part of the structure will bear the load from the superstructured part.

Scheme of the features of the attic frame: a - a frame made of metal structures; b - wooden racks and wooden trusses with parallel belts; c - wooden trusses on keyed joints; d - truss half-trusses on racks with a strapping bar.

The load of the superstructure is distributed over the supporting structures and the foundation. If the strength of the structure does not allow to withstand the load, then from the outside of the building, columns-columns are installed on an independent foundation, which will withstand the load of the attic being built.

If the supporting structures are reliable, but have significant wear, then it is necessary to disassemble the internal structures and erect a new frame on an independent foundation. In this case, the outer walls will take on a partial load.

The building superstructure necessarily implies the presence of a strapping belt. It can be made of expanded clay concrete or monolithic reinforced concrete. The strapping belt is connected in one piece with the walls of the attic to be built.

The function of the strapping belt is to distribute the load of the added parts on the building and integrate them with the building.

The strapping belt is made in the form of a crossbar with a console on one side. This allows you to mount structures without displacement from the house project. You can also install protective visors, gutters, scaffolding and fences for safe work.

For an attic superstructure in a five-story building, it is advisable to use a metal frame. The overlap between the reconstructed building and the superstructure should be monolithic, with lifts used to supply materials, and concrete pumps for concrete mix.

The use of monolithic reinforced concrete implies the use of fixed formwork from expanded polystyrene when concreting with a concrete pump. Manual assembly of the formwork and binding of reinforcement is performed, but small-panel formwork can be used.

The use of piece elements in the structure increases labor costs and construction time, since work is done manually (practically without mechanization). All this leads to the inconvenience of the tenants who have not been evicted. The lead time can be shortened by using high-tech elements that are prefabricated at the factory.

Power structure of the attic in a private house

The attic superstructure means the construction of a load-bearing structure. The power structure of the attic and the attic are the same. It depends on rafter system roofs. When erecting a rafter system, it is necessary to take into account the natural conditions of the area in which the construction takes place. The supporting structure of the roof must withstand the pressure of snow, wind and roofing (the choice of which also depends on the conditions).

The best material for the truss system is black GOST metal, a thin-walled galvanized profile or wood (you can use a combination of ferrous metal and a thin-walled galvanized profile). Any combination of wood and metal can be used.

If the place is difficult for installation for some reason, then it is better to use a thin-walled profile. It is advisable to use a tree in the absence of electricity, because welding is not possible in this embodiment. The tree is pre-antiseptic (wood bio-protection) and anti-pyrization (wood fire protection). Large spans are covered with truss or ferrous metal.

The supporting structures are rafters, frames or trusses that are mounted on a Mauerlat located along the perimeter of the wall. With a large step, runs are made on them to strengthen the structure.

For a truss structure in a private house, it is preferable to use light materials: wood or cold-formed thin-walled galvanized profile. The cold-formed profile is a lightweight material and allows the structure to be assembled on site without welding using bolted joints and rivets.

In the attics of the old type, the power structure was both warm and cold at the same time, so condensation formed and cold breakdowns appeared. In our time, the roofing insulation cake is laid above (this option is preferable, since the power structure is warm) or under the rafter system.

Insulation roofing cake

There is no heat cushion in the attic (air space that separates from the environment). Therefore, the room is subject to large heat losses (25% of all heat losses in the house).

It is necessary to carefully consider not only the choice of insulation material, but also its installation.

Part roofing cake insulation includes:

1. A vapor barrier layer that does not allow room vapors to enter the insulation.
2. A waterproofing layer that does not allow condensate formed on top of the roofing to pass into the insulation layer and at the same time releases vapors that inevitably penetrate into the insulation.
3. A ventilation gap that erodes moisture and condensation (formed when the temperature fluctuates rapidly on the inside of the roof).
4. Lathing for roofing.
5. Roof covering.

Ready-made sandwich panels can be used for rectangular structures, but for residential buildings this option is not suitable due to the presence of roofing elements (ridge, hip, groove, lanterns, etc.) and joints, so the cake is laid by hand.

Insulation in the roofing pie

It is best to use expanded polystyrene on flat roofs, and basalt insulation on pitched roofs. The use of sprayed insulation (such as biowat) is risky because it is highly flammable.

In our case, the roof is always pitched, so we lay the basalt slabs in 3-4 layers with an overlap so that there are no cold bridges. The packing density should be at least 35 kg / m 3 - this way it will not be compressed over time and will retain its geometry. Due to the lower density, roll insulation deforms over time, forming cavities.

For laying the basalt insulation layer, you can use a wooden crate, previously antipyred and antiseptic.

Vapor barrier in the roofing cake

The insulating layer loses its characteristics under the influence of moisture. It is necessary to install a vapor barrier layer on the inside of the insulation (from vapors from the room).

The simplest option is to use polyethylene, the joints of which must be glued with mastic.

But it is better to use a special film, which, on the one hand, does not allow vapors to penetrate into the insulation from the room, and on the other hand, it will release these vapors from the insulation. This film is called breathable. It is expensive, but it is justified by the operating conditions and durability.

Waterproofing and ventilation in the roofing pie

Condensation forms as a result of temperature fluctuations. Condensation leads to the formation of icicles and ice, as a result, the walls get wet and the facade of the building deteriorates. Due to the moisture accumulated in the layers of the structure, mold and rot are formed (in the future, dismantling will be required, and this is a lot of money).

Protection against these dire consequences is guaranteed by a ventilated space between the roof and the insulation material from the overhang to the ridge. Due to it, air is exchanged, which does not allow moisture to accumulate.

To prevent condensation from dripping from above to penetrate into the insulation, waterproofing is needed. They use special breathable membranes that release vapor from the insulation and prevent water from entering the material.

You cannot use a vapor barrier film instead of a waterproof one, and vice versa, because each fulfills its function and has corresponding characteristics.

Roof windows: how to choose?

There are two types of windows: vertical, located in a special structure of the dormer, and inclined, located in the plane of the roof. To choose a window option, you need to know what functions it should perform for a given room.

A 45 degree window gives 40% more light than a vertical window, which is the best option for the attic. Of course, in winter, in addition to light, snow also falls, but this is compensated for at other times of the year.

Many people ask the question: "What is an attic": the definition given in state building standards emphasizes that attic floor Is a living space in an individual house, where its pediment coincides with the roof of the building as a whole. An important feature that Russian legislation draws attention to is the height of this room: the distance between the floor and the roof should not be less than one and a half meters.

Having engaged in a search on the Internet and various reference books of the concept of "attic: definition", you should pay special attention to the absolute merits of this type of room. Firstly, it allows more efficient use of the entire space of a private house. At the same time, if at the very beginning of their appearance the attic was intended mainly for low-income citizens and servants, today a small house with an attic is an indicator of the wealth of its owner.

Secondly, attic, converted into a residential attic, can become a convenient place for both individual workand for family holidays. Thirdly, as studies show, it is in the under-roof room that the cleanest air in the house is, which has an extremely positive effect on the health of its inhabitants.

Fourth, in our extremely pragmatic age, it is very useful to bring at least a little romance into your life. A great option for this is to turn a cluttered attic into a cozy attic. Those who have already done so argue that such a restructuring has extremely positive impact on the creativity of the inhabitants of the house, as well as on the level of family cohesion.

Finally, fifthly, attic houses require their owners to show their creativity. It should be borne in mind that if the main rooms are seen by all guests and visitors, then the attic most often remains a purely intimate place. So here you can show your imagination in full!

Garden house with an attic: the main stages of the superstructure

In most cases, the attic is built on top of an existing house. There are several options for carrying out this operation, but they all imply the design and construction of the load-bearing part. These processes are very important, since the height of a house with an attic can be significantly higher than the originally designed one. If calculations show that the strength of the main structure does not allow withstanding the additional load, then special columns should be first installed on a separate foundation, which will bear the bulk of the attic floor's weight.

An equally difficult option is when garden house with an attic keeps in order the worn structures. In this case, it is best to take the time to disassemble the structure and replace the old bearing parts with new ones. Also in this case, you can strengthen the foundation, giving it additional strength.

In general, when building an attic superstructure, you should pay attention to the following key points:

1. The superstructure of any building cannot do without the so-called strapping belt. The main purpose of this auxiliary structure is that, on the one hand, it helps to evenly distribute the load of the superstructure elements, and on the other hand, it connects the new structure to the main building. The raw material for creating such a strapping belt is reinforced concrete or expanded clay concrete. It is made like a crossbar with a console, which allows not to deviate much from the initial design of the building. Small houses with an attic usually have a harness made of metal frame (read also: ""). Also, the following would be quite appropriate here structural elementsas a drain, fences, protective covers from rain and snow, as well as scaffolding.
2. In the event that a harness is used to create a harness monolithic reinforced concrete, then you must first install the formwork. The main raw material for its creation is expanded polystyrene, which is laid and fixed by hand. If such work seems unnecessarily difficult, then you can use small-panel formwork, the basis for which can be purchased at a hardware store.
3. In order to reduce the construction time for both the strapping belt and the entire superstructure as a whole, it is possible to use not piece components that are manufactured and installed manually, but high-tech elements produced in sufficient quantities at many domestic and foreign enterprises.
4. Sketches of houses with an attic necessarily assume the presence of a load-bearing structure, which is a roof frame, on which the rest of the attic components will subsequently be fixed. It all depends on the strength of the rafter system, which must not only withstand the pressure of the snow, but also withstand strong winds and heavy rain. Usually, such rafters are made either from a galvanized profile or from wood. also in last years the combined combination of galvanized profile and ferrous metal has become very popular. Before installation, any material should be prepared in advance: the tree should be covered with a special solution that protects against mold and microorganisms, and metal profiles should be painted with anti-corrosion paint.
5. In addition to the rafters, trusses or frames belong to the load-bearing structures of the attic itself. To install them, it is necessary to mount a Mauerlat - a special bar that is installed along the entire perimeter of the upper part of the wall. Frames are usually made of lightweight materials such as profile or wood.

Attic from the inside: features of roof insulation

Unlike the premises inside the house, the attic does not have a natural thermal cushion from the inside: there is no air space that would fence off the room from the environment. That is why the attic floor accounts for the largest volume of heat losses - about 25%. The microclimate of not only the under-roof space, but the whole house as a whole, depends on the choice of insulation and on the correctness.

If you take a close look at the section of the attic, you will notice that its thermal insulation includes the following layers:

1. A vapor barrier layer, the main purpose of which is to prevent steam from passing from below to the level of the insulation. This layer is especially important in cases where a bathroom or kitchen is equipped in the attic.
2. Waterproofing, which, on the contrary, prevents condensation drops from entering the insulation, which are formed due to a significant temperature difference inside and outside the room. In addition, the waterproofing layer helps to remove vapors that penetrate the insulation, thereby maintaining its performance.
3. Insulation. This is the most important part of this design, which, on the one hand, makes it possible to make being in the attic as comfortable as possible, and on the other, it itself needs protection from moisture and temperature extremes. In numerous photos, you can carefully consider the section of a house with an attic, a significant part of which is devoted to just the heat-insulating layer. Here you can note that, for flat roofs the most optimal insulation option is expanded polystyrene, but for pitched roofs it is best to stock up on stone wool. In the latter case, individual sheets of this insulation are stacked in several layers (usually 3-4). To avoid the appearance of the so-called "cold bridges", they must be laid with an overlap in order to minimize possible voids. Stone wool slabs will last much longer if you initially focus on denser options. Otherwise, after a few years, as a result of inevitable deformation, voids will appear between the individual layers, which will have an extremely negative effect on the general state of the thermal insulation in the attic.
4. If you want to arrange a winter garden in the attic or equip it as a bathroom, then you should definitely plan the ventilation gap (read: ""). Such a simple structure will help remove excess moisture from the room, which is formed during sharp fluctuations in temperature outside.
5. The lathing on which the roof is installed.
6. Roofing covering, which can be tiles, corrugated sheets (see: "

   The issue with the drainage system is very important. It is easier with vertical windows in this regard, since they have ebb tides, but when installing inclined windows, it is necessary to think over the gutter system in advance, otherwise the room under the attic will constantly be affected by excessive moisture.

At the expense of the attic, you can increase the area of \u200b\u200bour cottage. Let's take a look at how much larger the area of \u200b\u200bour house can be. Consider this from the inside.

Of course, we are not accustomed to the room "walking". The question arises about another room or study when the need arises. When the house is built, at the expense of the roof space, we can increase the area. Moreover, mainly houses with sloping roofs are being built.

Massandra has its own splendor.

You can see some of the elements of the roof - struts, roof slopes - have a special charm.

What kind of roof?

Depending on which roof we choose, our attic depends. Gable roof - the most common and convenient for the attic. Gable walls have the advantage that large windows can be installed and access to the balcony. Hip roof could allow us to build a smaller attic. The more work on the roof, the less space will be. Moreover, more sloped ceilings will appear.

With or without a ceiling.

Of course, if you decide that the attic will be with a ceiling, then this will change the interior. If we leave the attic without a ceiling, then thanks to this we can see all the roof structures. You can put large attic windows, but then you need to think about additional heating and thermal insulation.

Daylighting.

It is also necessary to think about lighting in the attic. This issue must be taken very seriously. Because if daylight is not enough, then the room will be dim and not comfortable. But if you put too large windows, then the heat loss will increase. This moment must be calculated very well.

Insulation laying.

1. If you decide that the room should be high, then you need to do work on the entire surface of the roof slopes.

2. According to how you decided what space should be, then we put heat insulation and vapor barrier on the parts of the roof slopes and on the ceiling.

3. Better to make a high mezzanine under the roof. Then the insulation must be laid over the entire surface of the slopes.

Before deciding to retrofit an attic, check:

Is it in good condition basic structure? Can the thermal insulation be installed properly?

Is the ground floor overlap strong enough to support additional living space? In this case, it is better to contact a professional.

Is it possible to allocate enough space under the roof for living space from this space?

What size and height will it be?

What is the best place for the stairs to be allocated? Also decide that it does not create inconvenience on the first floor. It should also be the most important can we heat the additional room? Then you need to purchase a more powerful boiler to heat the house.

Attention! This room needs a technical assessment.

Installation of windows

1. Windows in this room allow you to increase the level of light.

2. The most comfortable window is considered from which you can look when you are sitting, its upper edge could be reached by a person with an outstretched hand.

3. It is necessary to think about what the window slopes of such a room will be, so that they do not limit the light entering there.

What windows?

Installation of roof windows is determined by the distance between the rafters. The most optimal way is if the windows are installed between them. Such windows tend to illuminate a large number of rooms with sufficient light. It will be interesting to look windows that are with a blocking effect, it looks very special. It is necessary to think and consult with a specialist if there is a need for this at what height and how best to install them. The most common way is through vertical windows in the lucarne.

How to arrange the space under the slopes?

Under the slopes, it is necessary to use this space rationally and in full. Of course there will be more optimal solution apply them for wardrobe, pantry, etc.

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Having abandoned the warm attic project at the construction stage, many homeowners begin to regret it over time. Fortunately, making a living space out of a cold attic is not so difficult - especially since the walls and ceiling are already there.

The space under the roof is suitable for a wide variety of uses. Bedroom, spacious living room, billiards or table tennis room, children's room, winter garden -

all the solutions are countless, especially since the view from the windows of the upper floor, as a rule, is amazing.

THE FIRST PLOT. The mezzanine under the very ridge of the roof, of course, cannot play the role of a full-fledged floor, but its appearance significantly improves the characteristics of the attic room

To turn an attic into an attic requires a set of not too complicated work.

First of all, the question arises of how to let daylight into the room. There are only two options: to build blocks for skylights above the roof, or to embed dormer windows directly into it. But additional constructions of "rumor" on the roof can disrupt the architectural appearance of the building, and they are much more expensive than "smooth" roof solutions... Another argument in favor of roof windows - their greater (in comparison with traditional facade) efficiency. The light passing through a vertical window with a glass area of \u200b\u200b1 sq. M is enough for only eight "squares" of the room, while one square meter the roof glazing is sufficient to illuminate 10 sq.m.

The height of the roof windows is determined individually in each case.

The recommendations are simple: openings "in the ceiling" allow you to effectively illuminate the center of the room, but they are completely useless from the point of view of a panoramic view.
In order for a person sitting in an armchair to be able to calmly admire the landscape, the window should start 90-110 cm from the floor.

To make the attic habitable, you must:

1. Prepare a draft of the future attic, taking into account the number of premises and their purpose. Any construction or reconstruction must begin with the creation of a project, otherwise rework and unnecessary financial costs cannot be avoided. Rather than acting at random, it is better to formulate your requirements in advance and plan the floor according to them. With large (from 100 sq. M) areas, it is advisable to involve an architect for this - a professional project will eventually pay off with interest.

2. Make waterproofing. Waterproofing is designed to protect the insulation from condensation that inevitably occurs on the inner surface roofing material with a significant temperature difference.

THE SECOND PLOT. During the reconstruction of the attic, the truss structure was exposed and, having installed, achieved the impression of a glazed wall.

3. Prepare openings fordisassembling the roof. The creation of an opening in the existing roof is described in sufficient detail in the window installation instructions.

4. Mount the insulation. The thickness and brand of insulation are chosen according to the climatic characteristics of the region.

Much also depends on whether the owners intend to operate the attic in the cold season.

5. Make a vapor barrier. The vapor barrier protects the insulation from water vapor that inevitably forms in the living space.

6. Mount the battens and drywall. For strength and fire safety, it is better to sheathe in two layers.

There are many techniques that allow you to equip the roof space and get additional space. For example, with very high (more than 4 m) ceilings under the ridge, you can make a mezzanine, where the same nursery (the younger generation, as a rule, is delighted with such an idea), a small office or a recreation room with an observatory will fit well. There is another aspect: with the wide buildings of buildings typical for Russia, their height in the ridge can reach six meters, which results in a kind of acoustic effect of the cathedral dome. The mezzanine neutralizes it very successfully. If the cottage is already spacious enough, this structure can be made exclusively decorative.

How to convert an attic into an attic

It so happens that the homeowner needs to expand the area of \u200b\u200bthe house. One option is to turn the attic into an attic. Where to start in such a situation and what should be the first concern?

Making an attic floor out of an attic is easier than, say, attaching an outbuilding. If the house itself and the roof are in good condition, to transfer the attic to the category of residential premises, it is enough to install windows, insulate the roof and decorate the room

An important point: such reconstruction does not require huge expenses, but at the same time significantly increases the value of the house in the real estate market. Nevertheless, taking on the arrangement of the attic, it is necessary to take into account some of the nuances.

A private house:the attic, due to its "high-rise" position, is more exposed to both heating and cooling than other rooms. What you need to pay attention to when choosing thermal insulation material and its installation?

Tatiana Smirnova, ROCKWOOL technical specialist:

The thickness of the applied thermal insulation in the attic is always greater than for the walls of the house.

For residential buildings located in Moscow, this is at least 200 mm, for other regions of Russia, their values, which will be prompted by experts. Since the roofing structure itself includes, as a rule, wooden rafters, what material the house itself is made of is not so important.

When choosing materials for insulation, we must take into account not so much thermal conductivity (these coefficients do not differ much for insulating materials), but their performance characteristics. Thermal insulation for the attic must be non-combustible (around the tree), and also resistant to deformation. Light insulation materials are used here, which do not bear any load other than their own weight. Therefore, it is important to know whether the material shrinks, whether it will "slip", leaving the upper part of the roof to freeze. For example, fiberglass is a lightweight material that shrinks in vertical and inclined structures. Expanded polystyrene plates are fire hazardous.

For vertical and inclined structures (which is typical for the attic), it is better to use stone wool.

Light grades of stone wool insulation have a density of 30-40 kg / m 3, and therefore are resistant to shrinkage and slipping. In addition, this material is non-flammable and vapor permeable. As for the service life for stone wool insulation, it is at least 50 years. Life time organic materials (expanded polystyrene) is much less.

BH:What difficulties will you have to face when installing insulation?

Tatiana Smirnova:Insulation installation scheme is standard. In the case of an already installed roof, the inner lining of the rafters is removed, a windproof covering is installed, then, between the rafters, thermal insulation is laid, a vapor barrier material goes on top of it, and finally - interior decoration premises.

To avoid the accumulation of condensate between the insulation and the roof, an air gap is made, which is ventilated through the vents.

The most important thing is to monitor the tightness of the laying of all insulating materials, for example, the films must be overlapped. This will insure against moisture penetration at the joints of the canvases.

Heat losses also occur through the end walls (gables). Therefore, they should also be isolated.

It is best to insulate the walls from the outside.

But if this is impossible for constructive reasons (for example, the facade has already been mounted), then the walls are insulated in the same way as for pitched structures.