Encyclopedia of fire safety

House without attic pros and cons. How to build a frame house with a shed roof: step-by-step instructions from A to Z. Using non-traditional materials

Most often, the attic is used to store old and unnecessary things, tools, supplies that have no use, and it is a pity to part with them. But when the house is already equipped, then due to the growth of the family size or the desire to equip an additional cozy room For comfortable rest, it may be necessary to expand the living space and re-equip the attic.

Over time, there may be a need for a so-called "useful floor". Then attic space receives a beautiful and romantic name - the attic, evoking associations with the Parisian quarters and the roofs of Montmartre.

The design of the attic in a private house directly depends on the purpose that this room will correspond to. When refurbishing an attic space, it is important to follow three steps:

  1. Layout.
  2. Warming.
  3. Space decoration.

It is not at all easy, as it seems at first glance, to make the attic space residential. Such a reconstruction involves not only certain financial costs, but also labor-intensive construction work. Planning and subsequent repairs can be done by hand. First you need an attic project with the design features of the house, such as the shape and height of the roof, the location of the stairs, ventilation and lighting, the number of rooms in the house.

Not every attic can be inhabited. Construction requirements provide that the attic room should be organized with a roof slope of no more than 45º, and the structure of the house should not interfere with free movement in the attic.

The location of the stationary stairs in the house must be taken care of even before they are made repair work on the first floor. It is important to decide where it will be installed so as not to clutter up the passage and make room for furniture.

There must be windows in the attic for ventilation and lighting. Where the windows will be located - on the gable or in the roof itself - will depend on the shape of the roof.

Windows located in the roof are called dormer windows.

Compared to conventional windows, the requirements for installation and sealing of roof windows are more stringent, since these windows are subjected to heavy loads in the form of rain and snow to a greater extent. But skylights- an excellent design solution that allows not only to fill the room with light, but also to become a decoration of the exterior of the house.

If the roof is hipped, then skylights are the only way to illuminate the entire attic.

House attic insulation

In the re-equipment of the attic, an important point is its insulation. In order for the attic to be comfortable, an appropriate temperature must be provided. Since warm air tends to rise up, insulation will prevent its dispersion.

The pitched roof is insulated with a material with a thickness of at least 10 cm. Only non-combustible, vapor-permeable and environmentally friendly materials are used to insulate the attic. Suitable for both floors and roofs mineral wool, expanded polystyrene, penoizol.

As a heater for the walls and floor of the attic, you can use slab or roll insulation based on glass wool. These modern materials there is an excellent holding property warm air, and due to their low weight, the load on the foundation of the house will not increase significantly.

Insulation is placed between the wall and drywall or lining, thereby preserving the interior of the room.

Laying the floor in the attic is done using regular board or plywood, and if funds allow, it is possible to equip the floor with underfloor heating. If the attic is low, then you should not use thick materials for the floor.

To insulate the attic, a continuous layer of insulation is required around the entire perimeter of the room. It is important to provide good soundproofing of the floor, as well as to avoid the formation of condensate - reliable waterproofing of the ceiling.

Finishing materials and elements

Materials for interior decoration are chosen depending on the style. Attic wooden house finished with wooden materials - board, plywood, clapboard. At the same time, wooden or wicker furniture can be used in the interior of such an attic. Also impressive are the decorative cross beams, painted in contrasting colors to accent the walls and ceiling.

In order to successfully equip a room in the attic with your own hands, it is important to follow a few simple design rules:

  • The right choice of paint. IN small room best for walls bright hues, as they are able to create a peaceful and calm atmosphere. bright color you can highlight the central wall as an accent.
  • Laconic arrangement of furniture. No need to clutter up the room with cabinets, tables, chairs. Furniture placement should be compact, for example, in order to save space, it is advisable to use functional hanging shelves. The bed in the bedroom will take its place against the lower wall.
  • The use of accessories that play an important role in creating the style of the interior. Such accessories that complement the image of the room can be curtains for skylights and textiles. The main rule is the harmony of textures and colors.

Features of the design of the attic in the country

For a better idea of ​​​​the future room, it is necessary to make an outline of the floor plan.

In order to convert an attic in a country house into a living space, it is necessary to find out possible technical changes and take into account the design features of the country house. Reconstruction work can be complicated by low ceilings and asymmetrical attic walls. Then they make a list of works and make the purchase of the necessary materials.

To make it convenient to move around the attic and not have any difficulties with the placement of furniture, the optimal height from floor to ceiling should be 220 cm. The maximum allowable minimum is within 190 cm.

If, nevertheless, there is a desire to convert the attic into a living space, and the height does not allow, then the roof will have to be redone, which is very costly.

It is necessary to make a thorough check of the structures (battens, beams, attic floor, roofing material). If there is such a need, then the damaged parts should be replaced and processed wooden parts antiseptic.

To re-equip the attic, you will need to make additional work, such as:

  • Soundproofing the floor when laying foam plastic with a layer thickness of at least 3 cm and floor screed with laying laminate or linoleum and then installing skirting boards. As a flooring, you can also use boards or sheets of fiberboard with a thickness of at least 15 mm, followed by painting.
  • Heating in the attic. For this purpose, you can use an electric radiator or a fireplace heated with wood.
  • Communications, such as ventilation shafts or plumbing pipes, need to be moved or hidden.
  • Lighting - electrical wiring is carried out with strict observance of the rules fire safety.
  • Finishing the walls of the attic can be done using clapboard, moisture-resistant drywall or fiberboard sheets by flush fixing with screws. After that, the walls are puttied and painted in the desired color or wallpapered.

In the attic can be located:

  • bedroom;
  • living room;
  • children's;
  • dining room;
  • gym;
  • billiard room;
  • study;
  • wardrobe;
  • workshop.

Nursery in the attic

You can equip a children's room for sleeping and playing even in the attic. For this purpose, natural safe environmentally friendly materials are best suited. The interior of the attic can be decorated both in bright colors and in light pastel colors. Furniture should be safe, without sharp corners and securely fastened. It can be a small sofa and a table for games and activities. And of course, toys are an indispensable attribute of a nursery. As a floor covering, a rug or carpet paths can become.

Bedroom arrangement

Due to its location, the attic has a special cozy atmosphere. Therefore, it is convenient to equip a bedroom for adults, teenagers or a guest room in it. To arrange a bedroom comfortable for sleeping and relaxing, you will need the arrangement of sleeping places, as well as areas for storing bedding and linen.

From furniture, you can use the necessary minimum - a bed, a mirror, soft pouffes. Lighting plays an important role in the interior of the bedroom. Soft scattering of light can be achieved using wall sconces or a floor lamp.

Office option

The attic space is ideal for creating a comfortable office. The interior of such a room is best done in light colors. To create a business environment, you will need comfortable table, chair, small closet or several shelving and office equipment. And be sure to take care of high-quality lighting of the workplace. Such a relaxed atmosphere can set you up for fruitful work.

Living room interior

There is nothing unusual about equipping a living room in the attic. As a result of competent re-equipment, the attic space can become a place for receiving guests or family gatherings over a cup of tea or aromatic coffee. And large windows in the attic with opening beautiful view to the river or the garden will turn your vacation into a real pleasure.

Soft and cabinet furniture for the living room should be chosen low - a sofa and armchairs with a small coffee table and low cabinets or shelving.

Rest room decoration

For a comfortable stay with friends, you can organize a billiard room. For this purpose, it is necessary to place a billiard table in the center of the room, and light wicker furniture is quite suitable for relaxation. It is necessary to provide sufficient lighting over the billiard table with the help of lamps.

Movie lovers will love the idea of ​​equipping a home theater. To do this, upholstered furniture is placed around the perimeter of the rooms.

To prepare drinks and cocktails, you can also use a table or bar counter and install a small refrigerator.

A small windowless attic can be turned into a dressing room for storing, depending on the season, outerwear or, conversely, umbrellas, swimwear and slates. Combined spot lighting ceiling lights and built-in spot niches or LED strips glued to the drawers will make the interior modern and fashionable.

By dividing the attic into zones, you can equip a multifunctional room.

As you can see, once uninhabitable, an empty room can be perfectly used to embody a wide variety of design solutions. Main principle- do not miss a single square centimeter of usable living space. And then the interior of the once useless attic will be excellent.

Video

This video shows how you can arrange the attic space:

See how you can make a Moroccan-style attic salon:

Photo

Shed roof in Russia is not so often used in the construction of residential buildings. This is due more to tradition and a large number of typical projects of houses with a roof than with real cons shed roofs. Therefore, if among your priorities the recognizable appearance of the house and the cost-effectiveness of expensive lumber for the system are not in last place, it makes sense to consider a project option with shed roof.

Advantages of residential buildings with a pitched roof

Such projects have several traditional advantages that make them very popular in Finland, Norway and other countries with a climate close to the Russian one.

  • economy in the consumption of lumber for the construction of the system and materials, such a roof, all other things being equal, will cost you less;
  • increases the economy and what, from the height of human growth the roof of the house will be almost invisible, so you can get by with reliable, but not too aesthetically attractive materials, rolled or;
  • system installation is easier, it can be done on your own;
  • more rational use of space, it is quite easy to do without a little-used attic space;
  • small windage– relevant for areas with high wind load;
  • snow will only go one way(prohibition of dumping snow on the roadway - mandatory requirement for some areas)
  • much easier repairs, on such a roof it is easy to move;
  • snow lingers on the roof(with a slight slope), providing additional thermal insulation;
  • another variant - heated roof. In this case, the snow will not linger on the roof.

The skepticism of many builders towards houses with a shed roof is caused by the low prevalence of such buildings in Russia. It's a matter of building tradition. Calculate snow load and basic parameters one pitched roof no more difficult than for a gable. The construction process is also not very complex.

Examples of projects of houses with a pitched roof

Projects of houses with a shed roof are quite diverse. There are several main options:

  • house without attic when the roof is simultaneously ceiling;
  • house with a small attic, but with a straight ceiling on the last floor.

In the first case, the aesthetic factor is higher, the ceiling on the upper floor will be indirect, having an angle equal to the angle of the slope. In the second case, the thermal insulation of the roof is better, there are fewer requirements for materials and the quality of roofing, although it is difficult to maintain and inspect such a roof, often for this reason customers are offered to increase the height of the attic.

Small buildings with a shed roof are most often rectangular in shape, the roof is a single slope, formed by the difference in height of two opposite walls. This is the simplest version of a house with a pitched roof. Here is one example of a building project. There is no garage, the project includes five bedrooms and a fairly standard layout, there is no attic, so the ceiling on the second floor will have a slope.

Accordingly, it is necessary to think over the situation. Often, headboards are placed on the side with the lowest ceiling height, but the height should be at least 1.5 m.

Aerated concrete is used as the material for the walls, reinforced concrete slabs are used for the floors, and the foundation is a monolithic reinforced concrete slab. Facing - brick or tile, inserts from a material of a different color and texture look very good, a combination different types brick or brick and wood slats or other combination.

There are also projects of buildings with complex roof shapes, several slopes. This allows you to create a house of any configuration, taking into account any landscape, but complicates the design and makes construction more expensive.

This is a project two-story building, living area (area of ​​living rooms) - 103 m2, total - 232 m2. The angle of inclination is almost zero, so the roof will require constant snow removal, in the original version it is suitable for areas with a small snow load. The type of roof is with an attic, the angle of inclination can be changed, but the higher the slope angle in such projects, the worse the building will look. The advantage of an almost flat roof is the possibility of its rational use with virtually no restrictions.

There is a garage for two cars, the advantage of buildings with similar plans is the presence of a large balcony on the second floor, which can be used in the summer.

First floor: 1 - entrance hall, 3.56 m2; 2 - hall - 20.6 m2; 3 - kitchen - 17.46 m2; 4 - living room - 26.48 m2; 5 - dining room - 18 m2; 6 - office - 9.59 m2; 7 - boiler room - 6.11 m2; 8 - toilet - 2.08 m2; 9 - garage - 39.45 m2.

Second floor: 10 - hall - 17.21 m2; 11 - bedroom - 17.46 m2; 12 - bedroom - 16 m2; bedroom - 13.58 m2; wardrobe / closet - 7.3 m2; bathroom - 8.56 m2; bathroom - 6.53 m2.

There is no ground floor in this project. The walls are made of aerated concrete, the foundation is a reinforced concrete slab. Outside, the walls are sheathed with wooden lath, decorative tiles or bricks. Covering the roof depends on how you intend to use it, the easiest and cheap option- roll materials.

A shed roof is often a great solution for small houses for a summer residence or as a house for outdoor recreation. In this case, large windows are not applicable in Russian conditions, the design should be simpler, and the construction itself should be more economical.

This is a house plan with a shed roof. with total area 238.2 m2, living area 86.2 m2. There is no basement and garage, the foundation is a reinforced concrete slab, the walls are made of cellular concrete. Wall covering - plaster and wooden lath.

It is better to involve a specialist in the calculation and design of the building, who, using professional programs, will calculate all the parameters truss system and frame. This is especially true if you change a project taken from the Internet, or take on the development of your own.

Pitfalls in the design and construction of a house with a shed roof

There are no more of them than when building a house with a gable roof, but some are still worth noting:

  • if you are planning a house without an attic (most beautiful photos Scandinavian houses with a shed roof - this type), where the ceiling is combined with the roof, then the quality of building materials for the roofing cake and installation roofing will have to be very careful. And this means using more expensive materials and involving specialists in the installation of the roof to ensure its tightness and good thermal insulation. This factor will "eat" part of the savings;
  • if the plan of the house includes a small attic between the roof and the ceiling of the upper floor, then it will be extremely inconvenient to maintain and inspect the roof from the inside due to the low height of the attic and its decrease from the top edge to the bottom. As the height increases, aesthetics suffer, it's a matter of compromise. The attic is almost impossible to use effectively (most of it);
  • facade work must be carried out very efficiently and accurately. This is the main difficulty in building a house with a shed roof: with a poorly made facade, the house will look like a big barn - no exaggeration. The more details, the less quality requirements facade works. The fewer details, the more concise the appearance of the building, the better the materials should be and the better they should be matched in color and texture;
  • increased requirements for appearance building. It will look unusual, so the design must be thought out. A good program that allows you to draw and design small buildings is SketchUp (there is free version). Its only disadvantage is English, but there are lessons and support groups in Russian.

From an aesthetic point of view, not everyone likes a house with a pitched roof. But if you do not belong to the adherents of the traditional and rather boring look gable roof, then you should take a closer look at the projects of houses with a pitched roof. On the Internet you can find many free projects, and to order a house of any design will be designed for you. There are no significant and insurmountable difficulties in the design and construction of a building with a pitched roof.

The article will give a comparative description of the three most common types of roofs, showing the pros and cons, the conditions for their use and important points construction.

Selection of a roof for a private house


The scheme of the roof of a private house

The architect or designer sees the main factor in choosing the shape of the roof harmonious combination roofs with the general architectural thought of the house. But the task before the architect, first of all, is set by you - the customer. How to choose the type of coverage? Everything is not so difficult if you figure it out) You can read about the design of the coating and types of roofs in the articles of our portal and, and this article will describe the four most used types of roofs:

  • Mansard second floor;
  • Full second floor and attic roof;
  • Full second floor and mansard roof;
  • Combined option.


Roof types

First of all, when choosing the type of roof, before you start designing a house, ask yourself the following questions:

Will the second floor be residential or non-residential. You can use it as a full-fledged floor, or you can use it as a storage room for equipment, “unnecessary” things, etc. Do you want this floor to be used in the future (not immediately after construction is completed).
What is the minimum and maximum height of the second floor. Usually it varies from a minimum of 2.5 meters to a maximum of 3-3.5 meters, it is not recommended to do more or less than these sizes.
Do you need full-size (1/5 -1/8 of the floor area) windows on the second floor or can they be minimal (with an area of ​​0.7-1.5 m2). In any case, it is necessary to ensure full illumination in the room, usually the window area is 1/4-1/5 of the floor area than less room the smaller the windows can be.
Whether you are limited in the height of the house under construction, consult with the architect, whether you will shade the neighbors, thereby reducing the insolation of the neighboring cottage. It is also important to take into account the legal aspect - the attic floor is not considered a full-fledged floor, that is, if it is not possible to officially build on the second floor, it will be necessary to get by with an attic.

After analyzing the answers to these questions and comparing them with the three types of roofs in the article, you will set a task for the architect and will be able to understand which type of roof suits your conditions.

Roof with second attic floor

This is the first of the considered types of modern roofs, it is a roof that serves as the walls of the second floor, that is, the living space is located directly under the roof. Such roofs can often be found in holiday villages, in villages.


Scheme of a mansard gable roof with living quarters directly under the roof

The mansard roof gives the house an architectural expressiveness. The height of such a roof from the ceiling to the ridge is usually 2.5-3.5 meters, in the case of broken roof 0.7-1 m from the ceiling to the beginning of the roof bevel. At first glance, such a solution may seem advantageous, since there is no need to build the walls of the second floor and already arrange a roof on them.


Scheme of a gable mansard roof without internal walls

But this is not entirely true, since such a roof has many disadvantages:

  • The space in the corners of the roof is significantly reduced, especially with a triangular roof shape. So the bevel of the roof begins at a height of 0.5-1 m from the floor level, which prevents an adult from standing in the corner of the roof at full height. A broken roof shape can help save the situation a little (a steep slope is attached to the lower part of the attic, and a gentle slope to the upper part).
  • Living space is difficult to arrange in a convenient way, pick up and arrange furniture.
  • There is no possibility of a full-fledged device window openings, so you have to use roof windows, which are 1.5-2 times more expensive than ordinary windows at a price (a special reinforced frame and tempered and reinforced glass, the cost is from $ 300) and installation costs. Special requirements apply to window frame roof window.


roof window

It should provide high-quality thermophysical characteristics and correct installation, waterproofing, sealing the slopes of such a window is one of the most milestones. Also applicable dormer windows, which require a structural device and are difficult to install - for the installation of such a window, it is necessary to make an additional frame emerging from the plane of the main roof frame (this will add extra valleys and skates), which increases the material and labor intensity of such work (arranging joints, trimming roofing materials, purchase of additional roof elements). It is also important to have a drawing of a dormer window, with a detailed study of the window with the main roof frame.


dormer window

In these types of roofs, there is a need to combine structures, insulation and waterproofing in a roofing pie, which complicates the installation of the roof and makes it more expensive than an attic roof. The heat-insulating layer is attached to the outer side of the roof, while always leaving circulation gaps so that the moisture that forms from the condensation of steam on the underside of the roof is ventilated by air movement. If a kitchen and a bathroom are placed in the attic, in which a significant amount of steam is formed, then inside the ceiling should be laid with a layer of vapor barrier. There is also the possibility of making a mistake in choosing a “pie”, which will lead to leaks that will appear in the interior; in this case, repairs are more difficult to perform than in the attic roof.


Attic Roof Pie

1. Insulation.

2. Vapor barrier.

3. Internal crate.

4. Interior lining of the attic.

5. Rafters.

6.Waterproof windproof vapor permeable membrane.

7. Lathing for roofing sheets.

8. Roofing.

  • In such roofs, it is not recommended to use metal roofs, since in summer it will be too hot under such a roof and a fairly massive roof will be required to ensure comfortable conditions. roofing cake(with a thickness of 250-300 mm, due to an increase in insulation) or it will be necessary to use reflective insulation, which will affect material costs.
  • If you have a desire to complete a full-fledged floor during the operation of the house, then it will be difficult to do this, since it will be necessary to completely dismantle the attic floor and build a full-fledged floor with a roof, which will increase the cost of construction by 20-40%. It is necessary to invite an engineer to conduct a survey of the house, calculate the bearing capacity of the existing foundation, walls and ceilings in order to determine whether it will be possible to complete the floor without strengthening the structures. Strengthening existing structures is a very complex, painstaking and expensive process (for example, the cost of strengthening the foundation is 20-50% of the cost of building a new one).

Conclusion: Do not arrange an attic floor in a house of permanent residence without emergency, since it will come out less functional and convenient, and the advantage of such a device can only be called a certain picturesque silhouette of the house.

Complete second floor and roof with unused attic space

This option represents a full-fledged second floor with load-bearing and self-supporting walls, on which the roof structures rest. In this case, the roof has an unused attic (the attic space is usually not heated) and the space on the second floor is residential. The attic acts as an air gap between the living space and external environment, while it should be borne in mind that in the attic it is necessary to provide a passage with a height of at least 1.4 m along the entire room. The height of the residential floor is taken from 2.5 to 3.5 meters. Household supplies are usually stored in the attic. The second floor comes out fully functional, and without “inconvenient areas”.


Scheme of the complete second floor and attic roof

  1. Rafter legs.
  2. Horse bar.
  3. Racks.
  4. Struts.
  5. Crate.
  6. Roofing material.
  7. Mauerlat.
  8. Metal connecting elements.
  9. Internal bearing wall.

In the event of a roof malfunction, it can be easily repaired by gaining access to the structures and the “pie” of the roof in the attic. It is possible to complete additional floors, for this you just need to dismantle old roof. These are the main "advantages" of such a roof. This is the most common roof option in modern cottage construction.

The disadvantages of such a roof are:

  • There is a need to build the walls of the 2nd floor and the attic floor, which will lead to an increase in the cost of construction by 10-20% compared to a mansard roof.
  • It is necessary to constantly provide (make the necessary gaps, properly arrange the layers of the roof, etc.) and maintain ventilation (ventilate the attic space, annually clean the ventilation gaps from the accumulation of debris and dirt) of the attic space (in contrast to the mansard roof where it is necessary to ventilate the roofing pie and residential space separately), so that the air does not stagnate and the roof structures and the roofing “pie” do not rot, for better snow melting.


Cold cover ventilation

a, b - through the attic space, c - with airflow and through the attic space, d - double airflow.

Attic roof features:

  • You need to make an exit to the attic. Usually arranged in the form of a hatch with a vertical metal staircase or use a ready-made "mansard staircase".
  • Roof insulation in this case is arranged in the attic floor, and the waterproofing carpet is directly on the roof, which facilitates the installation of the roof and reduces the cross section wooden structures roofs.

In general, we can say that the use of such roofs is the most common, despite the increase in the cost of construction, life under such a roof is more convenient.

Full second floor with an attic under the entire roof area without an attic

The third version of the roof is a combined first and second view. A full-fledged second floor and a mansard roof above it, in this case there is no overlap between the living room and the attic room, this reduces the cost of materials and its installation. With such a roof, you will get a lot of free space, a high ceiling.


Full second floor and mansard roof

The main big "plus" of such a roof can be called visual appeal. inner space, for example, skylights built into the roof in addition to ordinary windows will give a lot of light in living rooms. good designer easily beat such volumes. A house with such a roof should have a rigid and stable load-bearing frame due to the fact that the roof and walls of the 2nd floor are one rather high structure and have low rigidity.


Scheme of the complete second floor of the house and a mansard roof

Cons of such a roof:

  • It is necessary to heat and light such a large volume (it will be necessary to heat not only the living space, but also the space under the roof, and this is from 50 m3, which is not residential).
  • The space under the ceiling is not used.
  • Roof spacer to provide rigidity to roof structures.
  • Purchase and installation of skylights.

But this type of roof is rarely common, it can be recommended to use it when architectural form roof will be dictated by the interior design of the premises.

Combined roof

The combined version of the roof is a hybrid of the above types of roof. For example, you have decided that there will be an attic roof over the whole house, and a mansard roof over the guest and children's bedroom. An important aspect in such a roof will be that over part of the house there will be a combined roofing pie, and over the second part, insulation, waterproofing and vapor barrier will be separated. It is also possible to change the cross section of the rafters to different areas roofs. In this case, it is necessary to develop a competent roof project, with a detailed drawing of the interface nodes, plans and sections of these two options.



Combined roof scheme: attic and attic

Where the problems of heat, hydro, sound insulation will be solved. Such roofs can often be seen on 2-storey houses with attached garage or household premises, so the roof over the main part of the house is attic, and over the garage the main roof goes into an attic for the garage.

It can be summarized that the mansard roof is less comfortable, but inexpensive option. Attic roof and combined roof - the most applicable and justified option. A complete second floor with a mansard roof is a rare case, the advantage of which is interesting interior. Thus, each type of roof has its advantages and disadvantages described in the article, and it is worth choosing a roof based on specific conditions and circumstances. And we hope this article will help you with this.

Attention: The prices in the article are indicated at the time of 2009. Be careful.

The expansion of living space and the organization of a comfortable place to stay is an issue that is relevant not only for residents of standard high-rise buildings, but also for owners of private or suburban housing. And what do country houses and small country houses look like in most cases? Often they are a one-story building, the design of which involves the presence of an attic or attic room, the arrangement of which summer residents often prefer to neglect and remember about it only when additional living space is needed. So the attic, capable of realizing all your desires for arranging housing, turns into a dusty room, littered with unnecessary rubbish and used as a pantry, where it is difficult to find the necessary thing. But sooner or later, an increase in the family or the desire to expand the living space of the house leads to the fact that there is a need to convert a dusty, dark attic into a bright and comfortable room. In this regard, we have devoted to this topic this article, in which we will describe in detail how to turn an unsightly attic into living room, and also present a lot of photo examples.

Room in the attic: how to cope with the lack of living space?

If you own a suburban living space, but, despite this, every now and then you stumble over scattered children's toys, do not find a common language with your relatives about the allocation of personal space and the rational organization of a recreation area, and also do not plan to put up with a catastrophic lack of space in the house, you need to equip a room in the attic. It will not only become a great place for solitude and a comfortable stay alone with your thoughts, but will also allow you to turn an unpretentious country house with a constant lack of space in a cozy family nest.

Undoubtedly, the most favorable moment for the re-equipment of the attic space is the stage of building a house, since it is on this stage you can add a room to the project of the house and decorate it with the same materials as the rest of the rooms. In addition, you can initially think over the layout of the attic: its dimensions, height, foundation parameters, which is necessary for arranging a residential attic.

Room in the attic photo

However, if you decide to convert the attic into a living space in an actively used room, you will encounter certain technical difficulties. It will be necessary to carry out measures related to strengthening the floors, ensuring effective thermal insulation and a number of other necessary measures.

Do-it-yourself room in the attic: a sequence of events

If you are determined to convert the attic into a living space, it remains to decide on the purpose of the premises. There are a lot of options: it can be a dressing room, a bedroom, and a living room, depending on your preferences. The next step is to develop a project for the premises.

Having sketched a rough plan of the room on a piece of paper, pay attention to the height of the attic and the presence of walls, in the absence of which, calculate the height of the rectangular space of the room, which is at least two meters at the minimum point. If the height of the attic does not allow the arrangement of the room, experts recommend raising the roof by building walls whose height does not exceed one meter. Having reached a certain height of the walls, you can proceed to the implementation of the following stages of construction.

Arrangement of stairs

To climb into the room in the attic, you need to take care of the arrangement of the stairs. Most optimal location its placement - an entrance hall or a corridor. The choice of material for arranging stairs is an equally important task, since it must meet the following characteristics:

  • It should be easy to wash;
  • Possess high performance characteristics that determine its durability;
  • In addition, it should be characterized by high aesthetic qualities, thanks to which, a staircase made of this material, will be an elegant addition to a holistic picture of the interior. All these requirements are met to a greater extent by wood, the use of which makes it possible to produce not only durable, but also high-quality stairs, both from an aesthetic and functional point of view.

Window arrangement

Like any other room, a room in the attic of the house is not complete without natural light, the only source of which is the windows. Before proceeding with the equipment of the window opening, consider the location of the window and outline its exact placement. If your project involves the arrangement of a window on the roof, you need to take care of the installation of a wooden frame into which the window will subsequently be inserted. The need for arranging the frame is explained by the additional weight of the window and precipitation, which the arrangement of an additional frame will allow to withstand. After the window arrangement is completed, thermal insulation measures are carried out, since the gap formed between the wall and the window will contribute to heat loss.

Installation of a common frame

After the installation activities associated with the arrangement of the window are completed, they proceed to the installation of a common frame, which is a parallel boards nailed to the wall and designed to place drywall fasteners on them. On the floor, a frame is also organized from parallel wooden beams, in the space between which a heater is immediately laid, most often it is basalt slab or glass wool, after which the floor is covered with a rigid base and decorative flooring. Coming from the side inner surface roofs are equipped with a frame for drywall, on which drywall sheets are subsequently attached. If the roof is characterized by a large slope, the frame beams must be fixed every 20 cm, and in order to increase the reliability of the fasteners, also crosswise. This will not only securely fix the drywall, but also subsequently avoid the occurrence of cracks. Having installed the frame, think over and carry out the installation of wiring and the location of sockets and switches in advance.

Drywall installation

Having previously carried out wall insulation and vapor barrier, you can proceed with the installation of drywall. Experts recommend placing drywall sheets in two layers, so you will not only increase the strength of the walls, but also provide additional thermal insulation.

Using screws, the first layer of drywall is fixed at a distance of 30-40 cm, after which the second layer of drywall is fixed, changing the distance between the sheets to 20 cm. Next, the gaps formed between the walls and windows are insulated. To do this, use a sealant and cut strips of drywall. Next, the joints and corners are strengthened, for which they use a specialized paper tape equipped with a metal insert.

Organization of heating in the room

Heating is one of necessary conditions creating conditions for a comfortable stay. Experts suggest taking into account several options for arranging heating in the attic room:

  • Engage in the arrangement of the fireplace;
  • Make a bet on the use of electrical appliances;
  • Arrange an autonomous heating system in the attic room;
  • Or use stationary system heating.

Despite the fact that the first option is considered the most beneficial if you want to give the room a special touch of privacy and comfort, experts consider the last option to be the most favorable. This is due to the fact that if the house is currently being actively used, and a heating system is organized in it, it is enough to carry out some additional installation measures, which involve the removal of pipes with radiators directly into the room located in the attic.

Lighting

Lighting of the room in the attic under the roof - not less than actual question, about which it is necessary to say a few words, telling about how to make a room in the attic. Earlier we noted that the laying of wires at the stage of installation of a common frame. It will be important to clarify that in the attic room it is advisable to abandon aluminum wires, replacing them with copper ones. In addition, according to experts, it is better to abandon the installation junction boxes indoors in the attic, and bet on the installation of an autonomous circuit breaker.

Options for arranging a room in the attic

Having decided to equip a room in the attic, it is necessary to clearly understand its purpose. Formerly cluttered, dusty non-residential attic can turn into a living room, bedroom, billiard room, library or even a greenhouse, depending on the preferences and needs of the owners of the house. A cozy attic furnished according to all the rules can turn into a comfortable recreation area where all family members can spend their free time not only for the benefit of the soul, but also for health. The well-thought-out interior and equipment of the attic room will allow you not only to spend time there reading a book, but also working out on simulators and playing board games.

In the case when the area of ​​​​the attic space allows, in the attic it is possible to equip not one, but several rooms at once, for which it is necessary to carry out competent zoning of the room. Designers propose to carry out zoning of the attic space with the help of transparent partitions that let in light. This will allow you to equip several rooms in the attic at once - a play corner and a room designed for relaxation. On the area of ​​​​a spacious attic space, several rooms can be organized, this time separated by capital partitions, which is undoubtedly a more time-consuming process. In most cases, the owners country houses they prefer to equip the bedroom, which, located under a gable roof, turns out to be very cozy, especially when the basic rules for planning an attic space are followed.

For example, in this case, designers advise placing a double bed in the center of the room, while installing mezzanines along the walls for storing bed linen and other small things needed in the household. If you plan to install two beds at once in a room in the attic of the house, then it is better to place them in the part of the room with descending ceilings, while the center of the room must be left free. Thus, indoors in the attic can be equipped with:

  • play corner;
  • Gym;
  • Library and reading room;
  • billiard room;
  • Recreation area;
  • A number of utility rooms, for example, a pantry.

In case of a shortage of living space and a small area of ​​​​a country house, in the attic you can equip:

  • Bedroom;
  • Living room:
  • Children's.

Design of rooms on the attic floor: the choice of a stylistic concept

Having prepared the attic for the arrangement of living quarters, you can safely proceed to the choice of the main stylistic concept, design and arrangement of furniture in the future living room. For a bedroom located in the attic, experts advise giving preference to folk motifs or choosing romantic design trends that have become popular. In addition, by decorating a room in a country, chalet or Provence style, you will make your bedroom no less cozy. In addition to the traditional directions that are appropriate in the decor of the attic, the design of the bedroom in the attic is relevant. classical style or loft style. The latter is most appropriate in the decoration of attic spaces, characterized by an impressive area. By designing a loft-style bedroom, you will become the owner of a spacious and at the same time cozy sleeping area that meets the requirements of modern rooms.

To design a living room, designers advise choosing a minimalist style, eclecticism, retro styles, or styles in which spicy oriental notes are clearly traced. It is these styles that can turn your living room into a truly cozy and comfortable room.

The choice of colors: how to visually expand the room?

Since for the attic in most cases it is not typical big square, bedroom or living room is better to decorate using light colors. However, at the same time, an equally important design task arises - to correctly decorate a small room and at the same time avoid fading, which will adversely affect the overall picture of the interior. In this case, designers suggest resorting to a well-known design technique, the essence of which is that sloping walls must be painted in light colors, while vertical ones in more saturated, bright colors. Gaining popularity lately design technique, suggesting a combination of the colors of the walls with the colors of the blanket or curtains.

When arranging the living room, one should also not neglect the rational choice of tones and shades, with which you plan to decorate the attic room. Thus, light shades, such as light brown, light gray, beige, peach and white, will visually expand the room and, at the same time, make it lighter, which is also important when arranging small attic spaces.

The choice of furniture to create a cozy atmosphere in the attic room

To create a full-fledged design of a room in the attic, it is necessary to clearly consider not only the general stylistic concept and color design, but also the most optimal arrangement of furniture. Only in this case you will become the owner of the most harmonious and comfortable room.

Although wood is the most suitable material for decorating an attic country house, experts do not recommend the use of overly massive interior items in the design of the attic, which is characterized by a small area. Due to this, wooden bed, chest of drawers and bedside tables should be sufficiently compact in size. As for the shade wooden furniture, designers recommend using an up-to-date technique when the shade of wooden furniture matches the color of exposed wooden beams and rafters. A bed in the attic can be installed near one of the inclined walls, while fencing it off from the main room with with the help of a light curtains. Wardrobe at the same time, they are installed near one of the gable walls.

To create a truly cozy and comfortable atmosphere the attic needs to be supplemented with a fireplace. The heat of the fireplace will not only warm the room under the roof of the house, but also create a truly unusual atmosphere in it. If you cannot equip a fireplace in a room in the attic, in accordance with all fire safety requirements, the most the best option for you will be the installation of an artificial fireplace, which, like its original, not only looks stylish, but also visually hides small flaws in the walls in the room.

Spacious living rooms in the attic: what to look for?

If you have a spacious room in the attic at your disposal, arrange it according to all the rules and use the spacious area of ​​​​the room to create a real living room, in which there is a place for a TV, and for upholstered furniture, and for coffee table, and for bookshelves. When arranging spacious living rooms, do not forget about the harmony of materials: natural light wood and stone, both light and dark, will create a cozy, homely atmosphere in the living room, which can be complemented by live plants in pots and decorative tubs.

We must not forget about the "symmetry" of interior items, which will make the room visually more attractive, while maintaining balance and the necessary balance. For example, symmetrical installed luminaires, chairs and sofas with the same upholstery, as well as decorative pillow And a large number of living plants - all this will make your living room elegant and harmonious.

The roofs of private houses are striking in their diversity. Pitched and flat, covered with tiles or completely transparent, made of their glass - there is room for fantasy to roam. But the roof should perform not only a protective, but also an aesthetic function. This is facilitated by both the variety of geometric shapes and big choice materials.

The structure of the roof two-storey houses may be flat or sloped. Accordingly, both the first and the second have their positive and negative sides.

flat design

This type is quite rare in the construction of small (two-story) private houses. This is directly related to its peculiarity: in fact, this roof is not absolutely vertical, but has a slight slope, which is 3 degrees. But, in such a situation, small house snow and rain water roll off very badly. Therefore, the reliability and durability in this case is less than that of pitched types.

It is worth highlighting individual cases when a flat roof outperforms a pitched one. First of all, if you plan to make a pool, terrace or a small garden. It is impossible to carry out any of these solutions with a pitched roof.

Flat roof in a private house

Pitched construction

This type is considered the most practical. The main advantage is a sufficient angle of inclination, which allows precipitation not to linger and roll off. It is believed that pitched construction has great reliability, durability.

Another advantage of this type of construction is the possibility of arranging an attic or attic space under it. If we consider the negative sides of a pitched roof, we can distinguish the following:

  • it will be more expensive to build it than a flat one, especially if it is of a combined shape;
  • difficulties in carrying out repairs.

pitched roof

geometric shapes

The pitched type of roofs has a fairly large selection of shapes. Moreover, they can be designed independently, taking into account the loads, selected materials, as well as the design features of the building.

The most common are:

  • Shed - the simplest option, both in terms of construction and in terms of financial costs. The design is based on walls of different heights. It is used both for buildings (garage, barn), and for country houses. However, when choosing this option, it should be understood that the attic device is impossible.
  • Gable - is constructed from two pitched elements connected to each other with the help of a "ridge". In this case, the slopes do not have to be symmetrical. They can be located at different angles and, accordingly, be different lengths. On this moment is the leader in popularity and practicality. It is also positive that under such a roof it is very easy to equip an attic or attic.
  • Hip - a more complex type in terms of construction, which consists of two slopes of a triangular shape. Construction of this type must be carried out only with the help of professional craftsmen. But on the other hand, the costs are paid off due to high sustainability indicators.
  • Semi-hip type - a cross between a hip and a gable roof. The ends in this embodiment have the form of a trapezoid. Such roofs often have windows that provide good level attic or attic lighting. In general, is interesting solution, however, it is more difficult to construct than the "classic" gable.
  • Tent - in fact, is nothing more than a kind of hip. The minimum number of slopes is 3. They are symmetrical, do not have a ridge and converge at one point. Used when building a house correct form(specifically a square).
  • Multi-gable - used in cases where the house under construction has a complex shape. Not enough - the complexity of the device rafters. However, the result is a unique design, which, in addition to the main functions, will certainly attract the eyes of passers-by.
  • Broken, or, as it is called in another way, attic type. This type of roof is popular due to the fact that it has sufficiently large break angles, which make it possible to increase the space of the attic room.
  • Conical and domed are not used so often. They are usually used because of their decorative form for covering. individual elements at home, for example, when a bay window roof is being made.
  • The combined type has the most complex structure. They combine several types at once - multi-tongue, hip, tent. The positive side of such roofs is their unusual appearance, the possibility of arranging an attic and decorative elements(particularly windows). Negative side - high price construction, complexity in operation and repair.

Features of the device in the presence or absence of an attic space

When designing a house, each owner is faced with a choice: an attic or non-attic roof? Both the first and second types have significant advantages, so before making a final decision, it is recommended to compare the positive and negative aspects of both options.

Option number 1: with an attic

In this case, the main advantage is that the roof is quite easy to do. If you have certain skills, you can cope on your own with one or two assistants without involving specialized workers.

The second advantage, which will certainly be "in the hands" of the owners, is the possibility without the need to replace the entire structure. When deciding to build this type of roof, you need to pay attention to the following points:

  • you need to calculate the load that the roof must carry in order to select the appropriate material;
  • the angle of the slope of the roof with the attic often depends on the choice of material;
  • the choice of attic flooring, which largely depends on whether the attic space will ever be used.

Option number 2: without an attic

In another way, this type is also called attic. Its main difference from the attic is that roof structure will play the role of not only the roof, but also the outer walls in the attic. This is a rational and original option. Indeed, in this case, at least one more room is added to the house, which can serve for almost any purpose. And besides, the room will be very original due to the walls with a slope.

However, the mansard roof is quite complex in design. To make it yourself, without the involvement of specialized craftsmen, is almost impossible.

Another feature that can be both negative and positive side, is that pitched mansard roofs usually have a kink that needs to be supported inside with beams. Such props can both spoil and transform the interior of the room.

Use of non-traditional materials

At present special attention deserve new materials used for the construction of the roof. Particularly glass. Now it is hardly possible to surprise anyone with a panoramic roof, because more and more construction companies offer to build glass roofs for private houses. With this option now more affordable, dreams of a veranda, a loft bedroom with a glass ceiling or a conservatory can now come true.

The main geometric shapes of roofs in which translucent structures can be used:

  • flat;
  • pitched (1 or 2 slopes);
  • pyramid;
  • dome;
  • arch.

Important! The advantage of this material is that the glass roof performs not only its traditional role. It is also a large window that provides light to the room.

The frame of this design is made of profiles, which, in turn, can be made of steel or aluminum. In very rare cases, wood is used. This is due to the fact that glass roofs are often made over greenhouses and gardens, where high level humidity, which naturally leads to rotting of wood structures.

Glass Roof Features:

  • During the summer, it will get very hot. Accordingly, the room under it (attic) too. Therefore, it is necessary to take care of climate technology and about muffled sunlight isolation.
  • The glass structure must fulfill its main function - protection from precipitation and wind. But unlike traditional roofing materials, glass does not overlap. Therefore, all seams must be carefully sealed and insulated.
  • Glass is different. For roofs, it is better to choose an impact-resistant type or glass that, when beaten, does not leave sharp fragments and edges that can hurt you.
  • Debris and dirt will be visible on the glass roof. It is necessary to consider easy access to it and the possibility of cleaning.

The roof is an integral part of any building. For frequent houses, it has a huge variety of shapes, and also does not standard materials to make your home a dream come true. The choice depends on the design of the house. Some types of structures can be built independently, which will save money and not resort to the help of specialists.

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