How to cover the pillars in the attic. How the truss system of an attic roof works: a review of designs for low-rise buildings. Standard attic construction

Modern people try to make the most of the space in their home. Therefore, the proposal to arrange 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 over an 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 an extension in accordance with existing codes.

The attic addition begins with calculating 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 begin to remodel the house. Otherwise, they should be strengthened.

Old brick walls sometimes seem strong, but with additional load, cracks may appear in the mortar over time. Therefore, it is necessary to immediately examine their condition, and, if necessary, tie them with a rigid belt. This is done as follows:

metal pillars with a cross section of 10x10 cm are inserted into the foundation with their lower edge, and connected with the armored belt of the first floor with their upper edge. Installed around the perimeter of the house every 2 meters;
metal reinforcement with a cross-section of 12 mm is laid in grooves and tied around the walls of the house: from the bottom of the window every 2 meters upward;
A metal mesh with a mesh size of 2x2 cm is laid over the reinforcement, which is covered with plaster after all work is completed.

The foundation is strengthened by tying it with a reinforcing belt on all sides.

If the old foundation cannot support the attic, then it must be sheathed with reinforcement

Having decided on the strengthening of the building, you can proceed to choosing a project for the future superstructure. It should look harmonious against the background of other buildings and match the style of the entire house.

The calculation of the dimensions of the internal upper room and the necessary materials for construction will depend on the type of attic roof

There are several types of attics:

single-level with a gable roof - low ceilings with a small living area;
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 internal space, but serious costs of money and time for construction;
A one-level attic with a sloping gable roof is usually built on a brick house
single-level with cantilever extensions - a complex design that allows you to get even more space, since the attic frame extends beyond the building and the windows are installed vertically;
A single-level attic with cantilevered 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 mixed roof support is usually not installed on old houses due to the complexity and large volume of work

Video: converting half of an old roof into an attic - an easy way

Converting the roof into an attic is a relatively cheap way to increase living space. A private house usually has a pitched roof, so you can make an additional spacious and bright room with your own hands.

Internal wood lining 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 living areas

Advantages of creating an attic:

the possibility of installing one or more new living rooms;
It is most convenient to furnish an attic with low ceilings under a gable roof with low sun loungers
low costs compared to the construction of a full floor or side extension to the house;
updating the external appearance of the building;
A house with an attic under construction always attracts the attention of passers-by and makes them interested in the final result.
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 long.

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, installation of several double-glazed windows;
the difficulty of installing 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 stove-stove
planning part of the home space for a staircase leading to the attic;
The staircase 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 the inclined superstructure yourself or assemble a single set from existing multi-level models, painting everything in the same color.

You can make furniture that follows the slope of the attic yourself

So, the main disadvantage of converting an attic space into a loft is that it requires an investment, but it is worth it.

Building an attic will cost much less than creating an additional floor, regardless of what materials are used to build the walls. After all, to create them you will need basic material, insulation and finishing, while for an attic superstructure you only need roofing insulation and a new rafter system.

The superstructure is made of symmetrical or asymmetrical shape. Internal walls are designed both inclined and vertical.

Having studied the diagrams of single-level attics with different types of roof, it is easier to make a choice when planning

Converting an attic into an attic does not require dismantling all existing structures. But you need to make sure that the ceiling is reliable: check its condition, reinforce it with wooden or metal beams, and cover it with new boards. Then it will be able to withstand the weight of furniture and people.

To frequently go up to the attic, you will need to make a convenient staircase, provide for the installation of ventilation, natural and artificial lighting, and carry out interior decoration - all this will allow you to create a cozy and comfortable room.

A superstructure with a sloping roof, decorated in light colors, visually enlarges the space, and splashes of color add brightness to the interior

When constructing an attic floor, the following conditions must be met:

the rafters are made of laminated veneer lumber 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 ensure natural ventilation;
A hydro- and sound-proofing layer must be laid.

Converting the roof into an attic with your own hands

During the construction of a house there is usually a lack of funds, so many people refuse to build a second floor. Or another situation may arise when an old one-story small house is purchased along with the plot. In both cases, there is an affordable option for increasing living space - rebuilding the attic space into an attic with your own hands.

Creating a Project

Before starting work, you need to draw up a plan and develop a project with accurate drawings. 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 preliminary design yourself by studying different options on the Internet

Strengthening the walls and foundation may be necessary if the rafters are completely replaced. If the roof is partially redone, then reinforcement may be necessary only for the ceiling. You also need to immediately decide what types of windows will be used in the attic: the reinforcement in the rafter system will depend on this.

The location of all windows in the attic roof must be thought out in advance and this data must be included in the project plan

Rafter system

Rafters can be layered or hanging. The former rest on the internal walls of the house or additional supports, and the latter on the external walls.

In attics, layered and hanging rafters are used

Hanging rafters are best suited for the attic.

An attic with hanging rafters looks more beautiful and benefits in the size of the internal area

The attic usually occupies the entire space of the attic, and its walls are combined with external ones.

The best option for creating an attic is a layered rafter 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.

An image of individual elements of the rafter system helps to understand the structure of the entire structure

Refurbishment of premises

If the attic height is sufficient, the rafter system does not need to be altered. It is enough to inspect the old rafters, identify possible flaws and eliminate them.

If the rafter system is in good condition, you can begin arranging the floor. Insulation is first laid between the joists, after which the surface is sheathed with ordinary boards or sheets of OSB or chipboard.

The floor in the attic is insulated and covered with boards

Before laying the insulation, all necessary communications are installed between the rafters, and places are cut in the roof for installing windows. carried out before insulation.

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 vents so that moisture does not accumulate inside the room.

Roof insulation

The roof must be insulated correctly and efficiently - the microclimate under the roof will depend on this. Typically, mineral wool, polystyrene foam or sprayed polyurethane foam are used as insulation.

A thick layer of heat insulation is tightly laid and fixed between the rafters so that there are no cracks or gaps left anywhere. Waterproofing is installed along the upper part of the roof - between the roof and the insulation - and then thermal insulation material is laid on the side of the room. Then the inside of 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 way air circulates through the holes in the eaves and ridge. If the roof is covered with corrugated sheets, then the gap thickness should be 25 mm, but if it is covered with flat material, then it should be increased to 50 mm.

When creating thermal insulation for an attic, the sequence of layers must be strictly observed.

When planning to climb to the attic, you need to take care of the convenience and safety of movement. Therefore, the staircase is usually installed 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 around the perimeter with metal or wooden strapping.

The design of the stairs to the attic must be strong, reliable, safe and beautiful

Interior decoration

In most cases, plasterboard slabs are used for wall cladding, and the seams between them are plastered. Wallpaper is pasted 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 decorated as decorative elements and even used in the form of a horizontal bar for hanging a hammock, swing, chandelier and other devices.

Decorating the visible parts of the rafters in the interior of the attic is an interesting and creative matter.

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 lightweight materials

To cover the floor, you can use laminate or linoleum, but it is better to avoid tiles or porcelain stoneware.

Installation of the roof of the attic floor

The roof of a residential superstructure must consist of the following layers (the order of arrangement is from the street to the internal space):

Video: why and how to properly lay layers on the attic roof

Calculations of an attic roof for a house

Determining the total weight of the roof

To calculate the total weight of roofing materials, the specific gravity of one square meter of covering must be multiplied by the total area of the attic roof. To obtain the weight of one square meter, you need to add up the specific gravity of all the materials that make up the roofing pie and multiply it by the safety factor (1.1).

If the thickness of the lathing is 25 mm, then its specific weight is 15 kg/m2, insulation 10 cm thick has a specific weight of 10 kg/m2, and the roofing material ondulin has a weight of 3 kg/m2. It turns out: (15+10+3)x1.1= 30.8 kg/m2.

According to existing standards, the floor load in a residential building should not exceed 50 kg/m2.

Determining the roof area

To calculate the surface of a sloping roof, you need to break it down into simple shapes (square, rectangle, trapezoid, etc.) and determine their area, and then add everything up. To determine the surface of a gable roof, you need to multiply the length by the width, and multiply the resulting value by two.

Table: determining the area of the attic roof

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 at full height

It is also necessary to calculate the roof slope. Usually the angle is 45–60 degrees, but when determining it, it is necessary to take into account the climatic zone in which the house is located, the type of attic construction, snow and 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 rafter system, but the consumption of materials will increase.

Calculation of the rafter system

When choosing a rafter system, you can choose the following options:

hanging rafters;
inclined type;
ridge run;
combined design.

If the roof length is more than 4.5 m, then support purlins and struts can be used for reinforcement. If the length is more than 7 meters, a ridge beam is installed.

For wooden rafters, timber with a thickness of at least 70 mm is used. Their installation step should be 50 cm.

Over a large area, it is better to attach a metal rafter 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 rafters;
distance from the edge of the roof to the rafters;
the size of the sheathing boards and the spacing between them;
size, type of roofing material and overlap between its sheets;
type of steam, hydro and heat insulating material.

The roof is divided into simple shapes and the required amount of each material is determined. Simple mathematical formulas are used for this.

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, when doing independent calculations, errors occur when determining the required amount of insulation. If the climatic conditions are harsh, 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 installed on the floor of the house, gable walls and roof slopes. But the thickness of the insulation can be different everywhere.

Video: calculation of a mansard roof with diagrams and load

The attic floor allows for additional living space and gives a private home a modern, attractive appearance. It’s not difficult to create an attic with your own hands, you just need to correctly draw up a project, perform calculations and carry out high-quality installation of all materials. And the result will please the owners for a long time.

When people start building a house, they rarely think about the fact that the composition of the family may soon change. What to do if you need additional living space, but expanding your home with extensions is impossible due to the small area of the land? The design of the mansard roof solves the problem of lack of space; it can be installed on a house that is just being rebuilt or can be used to reconstruct an existing roof.

Gable attic

Broken roof with attic

Types of mansard roofs

The group of attic roofs includes all types of roofing, under the slopes of which you can arrange a living space. According to building codes, an attic is distinguished from an attic by a ceiling height suitable for human habitation and the presence of natural light. The following are suitable for attic installation:

Houses with any type of roof can be equipped with an attic, however, working with a hipped, pitched and asymmetrical roof is more difficult and expensive; it is better to abandon these options in favor of more rational ones - a gable or broken roof.

Types of attic spaces

A heated attic space is a real alternative to the second residential floor of a wooden or brick house. The fact is that increasing the number of floors of a building is associated with significant costs for the capital foundation and the construction of stairs. Different attic configurations are used depending on the available space and the needs of the homeowner:

Single-level. Under the broken or straight slopes of the gable roof there is only one living space. The construction of an attic of this type does not involve an increase in the weight of the roof, so it is suitable for buildings under construction and reconstruction. Even a master without experience can perform calculations and build a drawing of a one-level attic. According to building codes, the ceiling height in a residential area must be 2.5 m or more.
Single-level with remote console. A cantilever-type mansard roof device is placed under an asymmetrical roof. To increase the area of the living space, part of it is moved outside the perimeter of the structure. The protruding part of the attic, supported by pillars, is adapted for a shed or garage. The roof of the house with consoles is asymmetrical; the main part of the house is covered by a gable roof, and the console is covered by a single-pitched “patch”. A cantilevered attic is built to install vertical windows for natural light. However, professional architects can create a project and drawings of such complexity, and the complex diagram of the rafter system is not suitable for self-installation.
Two-level. If the roof height exceeds 5 m, then in the attic room you can arrange two rooms located at different levels and connected by a staircase. This type of attic cannot be added to existing houses. Two-level premises are planned at the design stage and taken into account when creating foundation drawings. The relative arrangement of the rafter system is specially developed for the complex, asymmetrical geometry of the roof slopes. The second level of the attic rests on columns, so the reliability of the structure directly depends on the correctness of the calculations and the professionalism of the architect.

Designers can create real masterpieces from cantilever and two-level attics, using the advantages of panoramic lighting, equip a greenhouse, a nursery or a bedroom filled with fresh air and light, however, a simple single-level design is more suitable for self-installation.

Advantages of the attic

Homeowners try to use every opportunity to rationalize construction costs, so they do not miss the opportunity to use the space under the roof of the house. This option for increasing the usable area of the house has the following advantages:

Minimum price 1 sq. m of living space. Due to the fact that the equipment of the attic is not associated with an increase in the cost of constructing the foundation, the cost of each meter in the house is cheaper than when constructing two-story structures.
Rationalization of heating costs. An air pocket between the floor and ceiling of the attic prevents heat generated by heating devices from escaping through the roof. Air does not transfer heat well, so the ground floor of the building will be warmer, which leads to energy savings.
The finished look. The equipment of the attic makes the appearance of the house complete and harmonious, allowing you to equip a balcony, canopy or garage.
Speed of construction. During the construction of an attic in a residential building, it is imperative to stop using the first floor. The speed of installation allows us to complete the work on equipping the attic within a week.
Minimum costs. Experienced builders say that there is no way to get a few square meters cheaper.

To equip an attic room, the length of the end wall of the building must exceed 4.5 m, and the area of the house must be more than 7 square meters. m, the recommended proportion of height to area is ½.

Natural lighting in the attic

The presence of natural light is a prerequisite that must be met in order for an attic space to be considered residential according to building codes. There are two ways to organize it.

When choosing windows for the attic, keep in mind that it should be in harmony with the roofing material, the total area of the windows cannot exceed a third of the surface of the slopes, and the size of the translucent structure directly depends on the angle of inclination.

Ventilation equipment

If you are going to insulate and heat the attic, it must be equipped with a forced ventilation system. The cold under-roof space is ventilated independently using dormer windows. In a well-insulated attic, natural air circulation is hampered, making it stuffy, damp and uncomfortable. To avoid such problems, installation is necessary:

Arrangement of elements of a forced ventilation system on a soft roof

A working forced ventilation system forces air to circulate using convection - the property of warm air rising to the top, making room for cool air taken from the street. This will increase the service life of the rafter system and roofing material, protect against mold and dampness, and also create a pleasant microclimate in the attic.

There are ready-made drawings of mansard roofs of standard sizes available for do-it-yourself installation; if you are an inexperienced builder, then it will be safest to focus on these options.

Video instruction

Home is a place where each of us feels completely protected. Comfort and coziness are important components for a person’s relaxation, which is sometimes impossible due to a lack of square meters. Thanks to new technologies in construction, it has become possible to expand the area of houses, usually through extensions, but if the plot of land is small, then the attic would be the best option! Many designers have long considered attic spaces as a good option for increasing space in the house, although this is not always possible without the intervention of builders. This often happens due to the fact that old buildings have low ceiling heights and a flimsy foundation, which must be strengthened for the safety of the future structure and the entire house as a whole.

An original attic can be constructed from a multi-slope sloping roof.

The main advantage of the attic is the ability to build it on any type of house (dacha, cottage, old house with an attic).
The only condition in the manufacture of an attic is the correct approach, because there are quite a lot of subtleties that need to be taken into account, so it is better to trust the construction of an attic to professionals or to thoroughly study all stages of construction.

Strengthening the foundation in an old house

The first thing you must do is check the foundation: are there any vertical cracks visible in it, are there any distortions in the windows or signs of destruction of the foundation masonry. If there is, the foundation needs to be restored. The second point is the analysis of the materials from which the private house is made, because the restoration technology will depend on the material.
Foundation strengthening scheme: A – double-sided; B – one-sided; 1 – foundation; 2 – anchor; 3 – reinforcing mesh; 4 – formwork; 5 – concrete mixture.

The foundation in a wooden private house can be completely replaced. To do this, you need to dig under the old foundation (if there is one) and put the house on jacks. Then use iron reinforcement, 3 meters long, to make the initial frame. Next, you should fill the prepared frame with concrete to the required height. With this you can not only strengthen, but also raise the foundation.

Complete replacement of the foundation in an old brick or stone house is impossible. Repair is considered a more complex and important process that requires responsibility and caution! Due to the fact that the structure is heavy, it is impossible to dig under a weakened foundation, because severe settlement is possible, which can ultimately damage the structure in an old house. The only option is a monolithic belt (a reinforced concrete structure that helps hold the masonry at the base of the floor).

Creating an attic project

It is well known that no building can be built without a design. Extensions such as attics also require similar projects, but, oddly enough, they have their own characteristics, which are described in GOST. The main requirements for such projects are:
Ensuring fire safety. Escape routes should be either through the premises in the old house or in its external part.

Height of rooms. The minimum permissible height is considered to be 2.5 m, but exceptions are possible for different roof slopes.

The volume of the premises should be calculated from the line dividing the premises into working and living areas. In their absence, it is necessary to calculate the volume of the entire room, taking into account all the slopes.

Removing the roof of an old house

The dismantled roof elements should be carefully lowered to the ground using a rope system.

Now, when we are talking about the process of building an attic, it is necessary to dismantle the roof in the old house in order to build a new attic. You should not avoid this process, because there is a double benefit here: firstly, you can be sure that the attic will be reliable, and secondly, in the future you will significantly save money on.
The first thing to start with is removing the slate or other covering. This process should not cause difficulties, because there is no complex technology involved. The slate should be lowered from the roof without breaking it, because it may be useful in further work. Following the slate, it is necessary to remove the roofing felt, which is held in place by metal strips. Removing the top covering is simple, and one person can do it, but when dismantling the structure itself, it is advisable to have a team, because difficulties may arise during dismantling.

Frame construction and roof construction

When constructing, you need to know the rule of the golden ratio. According to this rule, it becomes clear that, despite the external limitations, a circle can be inscribed in a section. From here you can derive the main stages for construction:

Work on the assembly of rafter systems. Rafters are the basis of the roof, which consists of a rigid frame that carries the main load.

Preparation. Before installing the rafters, you need to assemble a template (it is advisable to do this on the ground, because this can simplify the manufacturing process of some components).

Installation. After making the template, it needs to be transferred to the roof itself. The best roof slope is considered to be 45-60 degrees. Reducing the slope may significantly reduce the living area of the premises, but compared to increasing it, this is acceptable. Increasing the angle can make the attic vulnerable to strong gusts of wind.

Installation tools:

several pencils of different types;

nails (when working with wooden structures);

hammers with nail puller;

saw or chainsaw (for working with timber);

meter or tape measure;

set of drill bits with drill;

Bulgarian;

level.

After the frame is ready, you should decide on the material, because the lathing process will depend on it. If you use a soft roof, then before working with it, you will need to install OSB sheets on top of the frame. Only after this can you proceed directly to attaching the material itself.

Hydro- and thermal insulation of the attic

When making an attic, it is worth taking into account the fact that the ceiling in it will also be the roof, so the warm air that rises can cause significant damage to the ceiling, destroying the beams over time. In order to avoid these unfavorable processes, it is necessary to insulate the attic space during the construction process. To do this, you need to clog all the through cracks with glass wool or fill them with foam. This simple process will help avoid problems with heat retention and waterproofing.

Separately, you need to pay attention to waterproofing, because if problems with steam that rises upward in an old house are easily solved, then during waterproofing it is necessary to install a special film. Due to water contact with insulating materials, their properties deteriorate, so the installation of such a film will be necessary. And so that water does not linger on the film, special outlets are made.

Interior work

Once all the exterior work is completed, it's time to start working on the interior. It is customary to sheathe with plasterboard, because this material is the most accessible and helps to hide inaccuracies. Then there are no new moments, as in the old house, because after installing the drywall, the usual process of wall covering begins (priming, putty, painting, wallpapering), that is, work on the design of the room.

The issue is handled responsibly because the height of the room is not the same, therefore, it is necessary to divide it. Usually, in places where the height is the smallest, a closet is placed, and where the height is greatest, a bed or table is placed. This way you can clearly outline the room into zones!

How to increase the living space of an old house without additional extensions? The best option is to install a new attic roof. To erect it, it is necessary to carry out the calculation part, select the correct rafter scheme and roof covering material.

First you should find out the optimal weight of the new structure, since not all walls of the old house are designed for additional load. The total weight of the roofing pie is equal to the sum of the following components: rafters, sheathing, insulation and waterproofing. At the same time, the lightweight frame structure must be serviceable: it must withstand not only standard snow and wind loads, but also the weight of a person.

Taking the data from the table, you can calculate the optimal load on load-bearing walls. Let's assume that they are made of solid brick with a masonry thickness of 400 mm. Then the constant load will be equal to: 400*1800/1000= 720 kg/m². In this case, the walls are able to withstand the weight of the attic, made of beams with a density of 300 kg/m³ and covered with ceramic tiles.

If the walls are not able to support the total weight of the attic, you can build an additional foundation. Load-bearing vertical supports are installed on it to create the foundation of the roof. This design will avoid stress on the walls of the house.

Most often, a new attic is made in the form of a gable sloping roof. This is due to the large interior space, which can be used as a living space.

Before starting construction, you need to make a correct calculation of the optimal distance between the rafters (see Gable roof rafter system). An old wooden house cannot always withstand the load of a new roof, so you should choose the installation step of load-bearing structures based on the calculated weight of the roof. Data about this parameter can be taken from the table.

Then, based on the calculated data, material is purchased - wooden beams, rafters and slats for sheathing. The last step depends on the coating material. Often it should not exceed 400 mm. But the final parameters are determined based on the recommendations of the roofing material manufacturer.

Mauerlat installation

Mauerlat are horizontal beams on which the load-bearing elements of the roof will be mounted. It is designed to evenly distribute the load on the walls.

To perform installation work you will need the following materials and tools:

Hammer, wood saw.
Nails up to 50 mm long. The quantity depends on the roof area.
Measuring tools: plumb line, building level, tape measure.

Most often, a wooden beam with a cross section of 150*100 is used for mounting the Mauerlat. Its quantity is determined by the perimeter of the roof. To connect the timber to the load-bearing wall, it is recommended to use mounting dowels.

Installation of rafter frame and sheathing

At the first stage, it is necessary to install load-bearing beams on the Mauerlat. Then vertical posts are attached to them, connected to each other at the top by beams - purlins. The rafters for the future attic roof are mounted on the resulting frame.

The lathing is designed for installing roofing. Its size and configuration depends on the protective material used. Typically, 40*150 mm boards are used to make lathing. They are packed on top of the rafters, forming an installation platform.

Final stage

The above-described technology for constructing a mansard roof is universal. It is recommended to use a special rolled microfiber as a waterproofing layer. It is attached to the sheathing. The roofing covering is already installed on top of it. To improve the thermal insulation properties of the roof, it is necessary to perform internal insulation. This is done using basalt wool or extruded polystyrene foam.

What should you pay attention to when installing an attic roof in an old one-story house? First of all, correctly calculate the total weight of the structure, install a reliable roofing pie and select the appropriate material. The result of the work is an additional living space, the comfort of living in which will be no worse than in the other rooms of the house.

An attic is an attic-type living space that is formed on the top floor of a building with an attic roof. This house architecture became popular thanks to the Frenchman Francois Mansart, who worked in Paris in the mid-17th century. Back in 1630, he began to use the attic space for economic and residential purposes. And now, from that very time, the attic floor, which is located under a steep, broken roof, began to be called, after the architect’s name, an attic. Since the 19th century, due to urbanization and industrialization, attics were most often used by poor people.

Nowadays in modern construction, attics are used more and more often. According to SNiP 2.08.01-89, this part of the building is defined as follows: “The attic (attic floor) is a floor in the attic space, in which the facade is partially or completely formed by the surfaces (surface) of a broken or inclined roof so that the line of intersection of the facade and the roof plane was no higher than 1.5 meters from the attic floor level.”

Advantages:

the possibility of using the infrastructure of the old building;
thanks to the use of the attic, the living space increases;
no problem of sealing construction;
the appearance of the building becomes better, the building has a completed look;
the attic can be installed in one or even two levels;
significant reduction in energy consumption and heat loss in winter;
To build an attic, you do not need to evict residents and use heavy equipment.

Flaws:

useful area of the room is lost;
the presence of sloping ceilings, reducing the height of the walls;
quite demanding and complex technology of hydro- and thermal insulation;
the use of skylights, the cost of which is much higher;
Snow may accumulate on the attic windows, preventing the sun from entering the room.

Construction technology

During the design and subsequent construction of an attic roof, very often designers and builders do their work poorly, making mistakes in the truss structure, ventilation and insulation systems. The result of these actions can be an attic roof, which after some time becomes unsuitable for subsequent use, mold and mildew appear on it, and the roof itself begins to collapse or leak. All this arises due to the fact that construction technology is violated.

Due to the fact that the attic roof is located quite close to the walls of the interior, and it is quite difficult to achieve excellent heat transfer in this situation, it is necessary that the entire attic roof structure has excellent ventilation and thermal insulation, and that the rafter system is constructed correctly, using wood, which must be treated with special fire protection agents.

In order for the attic roof to be durable and reliable, you should build the attic with your own hands based on some rules:

the rafters must be at least 15 cm thick; laminated veneer lumber can be used for these purposes;
mineral wool, polystyrene foam, foam glass and foam polystyrene can be used as thermal insulation;
Between the layer of thermal insulation and the roof itself, it is necessary to make full ventilation with hoods and vents so that air can circulate through it under the entire roof;
a vapor barrier layer should be laid on the inside surface of the thermal insulation;
Under the roof on the outside of the rafters, you definitely need to lay a layer of waterproofing and, if you need it, a layer of sound insulation.

These requirements are determined by various physical and natural phenomena.

That's why:

a large thickness of the rafters is necessary in order to be able to lay thermal insulation between them with a thickness of approximately 15-25 cm, which leads to the weight of the entire roof structure, which is supported on the rafters;
according to the requirements of SNiP, all wood from which this structure will be constructed must be treated with special protective agents against microorganisms and fire, which will help preserve it and increase its service life;
in our latitudes it is very hot in summer and cold in winter, so the layer of thermal insulation must be at least 20 cm. The design of the attic is such that it loses quite a lot of heat in winter and warms up very quickly in summer, and a large layer of thermal insulation can protect the attic from heat penetration inside and losing him outside. The second goal pursued by thermal insulation is the safety of the roof. The heat that leaves the room in winter heats the roof and the snow lying on it, which is a natural insulation, melts a little. At sub-zero temperatures, hidden snow turns into ice, which in turn does not have thermal insulation properties, makes the roof heavier and can even destroy it. There can be a lot of thawing and freezing cycles during the day, which can damage your roof very quickly. In the summer, the attic will quickly become stuffy and hot, and you will need to install an air conditioner. All this can be avoided if you properly install a thick layer of thermal insulation;
Another very important aspect is proper roof ventilation, which will help get rid of excess moisture and also cool the roof both in winter and summer. Thanks to this, living in the attic will be comfortable. In addition, there will be no rot, fungi or mold in the attic room;
As for hydro-, sound- and vapor barrier, everything is clear here. Vapor barrier is necessary so that excess moisture passes through it from the side of the room, and does not get there from the outside, and waterproofing is designed to protect the room and its thermal insulation from moisture. Soundproofing can reduce noise from wind, hail and rain.

Now you can take a closer look at building an attic with your own hands. Nowadays, it is quite easy to find all the necessary information, after which you will need to think carefully about everything, make every effort and build an attic.

This construction can easily be carried out by two people, and the amount of time will depend on how much time they will spend at the construction site. You can build an attic from different materials, but most often wood is used for these purposes. Once all the necessary information has been obtained, it will be possible to divide the entire construction process into several stages.

Start of construction

First you need to make a detailed drawing of the house. At this stage, creating a scaled diagram is a prerequisite to be able to calculate everything so that the house itself and the constructed attic are harmoniously combined with each other both in terms of the slope of the roof and the height of the structure. And only after drawing up the diagram will it be possible to accurately calculate the length of the wooden structures for the construction of the attic.

The tools you will need are screws, nails, a hammer, a screwdriver, a jigsaw, a chainsaw and a circular saw.

To build an attic with your own hands, you can use pine or spruce boards with a cross-section of 50x150 mm and a length of about 6 meters. But before using lumber, they must be treated with a special fire retardant compound. Currently, compositions of different colors, packaging and manufacturers can be found on sale.

Installing racks and tying walls

Before you start tying the walls, you should first lay the strapping beam along the contour of the wall, but how to properly attach it to the existing walls?

When building an attic yourself, lining the walls with timber must be done along the inside of the wall, for which you will need to use boards in two layers. You need to glue roofing material onto the walls in advance using mastic, which should also be glued in two layers. After this, you need to drill holes in the brick wall and in the first layer of timber with a drill, and then secure the timber to the walls using dowels in increments of 50-60 cm.

Before you begin to attach the second layer of timber, you need to install it in such a way that there is some space left for the subsequent fastening of vertical posts, which should be located every 49 or 59 cm, but do not forget to leave room for future windows. When the second layer of timber is secured, you can begin preparing the vertical posts, whose length should be 150 cm, and the tenons should be 50x50 mm in size. Next, using a jigsaw, you need to cut holes on the second layer of timber so that the vertical posts can fit tightly there.

It is necessary to attach the second layer of timber to the first using self-tapping screws, which must be galvanized. After the spikes of the vertical posts enter the holes intended for them, they will need to be hammered in there more tightly with a sledgehammer. Another row of boards, which are screwed with self-tapping screws to the vertical posts, will need to be laid on top to form the top trim.

During work, it is necessary to constantly monitor the horizontal position using a level. To make the structure strong, inclined posts should be used during construction, but before installing them, you need to lay two layers of planking on the outer edge of the wall and nail it with dowels. After this, it is necessary to determine the angle of inclination of the racks and then they should be screwed using metal corners to the base. The inclined racks are attached to the vertical ones using self-tapping screws. As a result, you should have a fairly strong and durable structure.

Installation of poles, rafters and ridge

If you want to build an attic with your own hands on two levels, then you need to remember that the beginning of the wooden structures will start immediately from the floor. It will be necessary to install pillars along the center line, using dried timber for this purpose, which should be installed on a wooden base in a tenon.

Then you need to put a ridge on the central posts and screw it with a metal plate. Remember that guide strips must be screwed to the ridge in advance, onto which the rafters will then be installed. Ceiling beams will be used as crossbars, which will need to be screwed to the rafters.

After this, the sheathing should be nailed to the rafters, and a layer of waterproofing should be laid on top of it with a slight overlap (about 10 cm). And only then the roofing material is laid.

If you have certain skills, building an attic will not cause any difficulties and almost everyone can do it themselves.

Attic insulation

It is necessary to know exactly what the insulated roof consists of.

Here are its main components:

As the main roof covering, you can use siding, bitumen shingles, ondulin, metal tiles, tiles or slate. The insulation of the roof does not depend on this at all, since the main covering must not allow water to pass into the house.
Waterproofing is a layer of special film or roofing material that should retain water while allowing water vapor to pass through. Waterproofing is designed to protect the underlying layer of insulation from moisture (condensation that settles on the inside, rain that gets under the joint of the coating in windy weather), but at the same time it must allow moisture vapor to pass out. The waterproofing must be laid so that water flows out through it.
A layer of porous material (glass wool or polystyrene foam) is most often used as thermal insulation, which is necessary to provide basic protection from the cold.
The vapor barrier layer is a film that protects the thermal insulation not only from water, but also from its vapor. In a room where there are people, the air is always a little humid; for this reason, vapor barrier, like ventilation, is necessary so that this moisture can be removed from the room.
To finish the room, you can use plywood, chipboard or plasterboard sheets that form the attic ceiling. This material can be attached directly to the rafters themselves or to a pre-fabricated metal frame, which slightly reduces the volume of the room.

Internal insulation of the attic

The main difference between the internal insulation of an attic is that it is necessary to create a waterproofing layer that is quite complex in configuration, which must bypass all the rafters and be brought under the roof. The difficulty also lies in the fact that most often in the attic there are beams that will form insulated walls and ceiling in the future, that is, horizontal and vertical elements that are attached to inclined rafters. It is also necessary that the waterproofing layer be airtight, for which you need to seal the bypass areas of horizontal and vertical elements, fastening points and joints with tape.

In the process of laying waterproofing between the rafters, it can be attached to the sheathing using a stapler, but it is better to use wooden slats for this, which must be nailed vertically. Thanks to these slats, the waterproofing film will adhere more accurately, and its surface will receive less damage. This stage of internal insulation is preparatory, after which the creation of a thermal insulation layer begins.

Part of the attic roof is also the roof of the house. This part includes the inclined part of the rafters, where the insulation is attached after laying the waterproofing. Waterproofing must necessarily run along the entire roof of the house along the rafters to the very ridge, while you can save on thermal insulation and lay it not to the full height, but only to the place where the ceiling begins. In this case, the attic roof insulation must be laid as tightly as possible between the ceiling beams, hemming it from below with a vapor barrier and securing it with slats directed across the ceiling beams. Mineral wool is considered the best insulation for an attic roof.

Attics are insulated in the same way as the floor in a wooden house. For this reason, this article will not spend much time discussing this issue. One has only to note that for floor insulation, polystyrene foam boards or mineral wool mats should be used.

Insulation of attic walls

Attic walls do not need to be insulated if the roof of the house is insulated to the very bottom. But if you insulated the attic floor in advance, then it’s worth insulating the walls as well. For these purposes, on the back side of the racks, which will be the future supports of the walls, it is necessary to fill wooden slats with a pitch of 30-40 cm, and then lay thermal insulation on them. Pre-cut sheets of thermal insulation must be placed tightly between the supports, and a vapor barrier must be laid on top of them on the entire surface of the wall, and then, as on the ceiling, hemmed with slats. The vapor barrier of the ceiling and walls must be airtight, for which all existing joints must be taped. With a fairly large variety of materials for insulation, preference is most often given to mineral wool or expanded polystyrene.

Insulating an attic with polystyrene foam is not as good as with mineral wool, since polystyrene foam, although it retains heat well, is not protection against mice. But it is still quite acceptable to use polystyrene foam. It is advisable to lay polystyrene foam sheets in two layers, that is, purchase sheets with a thickness of 50 rather than 100 mm. At the same time, they must be laid between the rafters so that the joints of different layers do not coincide.

If you want to insulate the attic with mineral wool, it is best to use mineral wool mats rather than rolled material, as they do not settle over time and hold their shape better. Mineral wool, like polystyrene foam, is laid in two layers.

Once you have decided to arrange a living room in the attic, all you have to do is decide on its purpose. Most often they are used in the form of work corners or small bedrooms, since sloping ceilings and a small area prevent the owners’ imagination from running wild. But in reality this is not the case, because arranging an attic can be a creative and very exciting process, which can result in nine fully functional rooms. Next, options for arranging the attic will be discussed in more detail.

Options for arranging the attic

If you have a wooden country house or a cozy cottage, you have probably had ideas for arranging an attic, as this is a fairly simple way to increase the usable space. It doesn’t matter if you didn’t include a spacious attic in the design of your house, because you can build an attic at any time if you wish. Next, we will consider some interesting options for arranging an attic.

Attic bedroom

It is difficult to imagine a comfortable sleep without cool, fresh air. It is for this reason that in a wooden house you need to start arranging an attic for a bedroom with reliable thermal insulation, which will prevent it from getting too hot in the summer and cooling down quickly in the winter. In addition, it is necessary to install good attic windows so that the room can be ventilated. The bed should be positioned in such a way that the hanging ceiling does not put pressure on you, and it is comfortable to get out of it.

Children's room

By arranging a bedroom in the attic, you can make it not only an adult’s room, but also a child’s one, by building a cozy nest for your child there. Or you can accommodate two children at once in the attic, but in this case you will need to install a bunk bed or properly delimit the living space.

Study

Attic spaces are characterized by privacy and silence, so a very good option would be to place a comfortable work area in the attic. The cabinet does not require much space, but in the end you can get amazing results. You can install a table near the window, and arrange convenient shelves for documents and books near the walls.

Toilet and bathroom

An additional bathroom will never be superfluous. You can even arrange it under the roof, which will be a rather convenient solution, since there is enough space for both a bathtub and a shower stall. True, you will have to bring all the necessary communications there, but the result is worth it.

Creative workshop or studio

If you are very passionate about something and dream of creating in silence and solitude, then you can set up a studio or creative workshop in the attic, where no one will disturb you. And it doesn’t matter what you do - write novels, sculpt sculptures, do handicrafts or play music, in any case you will be very comfortable indulging in your favorite activity under the roof of your home.

Club or cozy lounge

Even if your room under the roof is small, you can still turn it into a small discussion club or a cozy living room, where you can welcome guests, serve them tea and have interesting conversations.

Home cinema

Many people like to watch interesting and exciting films in their free time. And if this is so, then why not arrange a separate room for this purpose? In terms of acoustics, this will be simply an excellent option, since a multi-layer cake of insulation and waterproofing of the attic floor can provide an excellent acoustic effect inside the room.

Billiard room

Another very common leisure activity is playing billiards. Those who really love this entertainment dream of having a billiard table at home. In principle, this is quite possible, and now you can buy smaller billiard tables that are designed specifically for home use. The attic is a great place to install a pool table.

Wardrobe

Almost always there is not enough space for storing things. People buy new clothes, but it’s a pity to throw away old clothes, even though they are unnecessary, so they need a place to store them. Besides, women need somewhere to try on their new clothes! By setting up a dressing room with a fitting room in the attic, you will solve all these problems in one fell swoop.