Fire Safety Encyclopedia

Attic construction options. Beautiful and comfortable attic: device and calculation. To build an attic you will need such materials

At first glance, it seems reasonable to me to divide them into 2 sections - technical questions and aesthetic questions plus practical ones.
Let's try to list the technical issues.
By the way, the attic issue is inherently linked to the attic issue. Because, in fact, 2 solutions are opposed - an attic floor versus 2 full floors with an attic.
So, technical issues, which are often put in the minus attic:
1. It is very hot in the attic in summer
2.With an attic, the house is much warmer than with an attic
3. It is impossible to sleep in the attic floor when it is raining - it is very noisy
4. Builders will not cope with such a decision, it is difficult
5. It is impossible to make normal, for example, stretch ceilings in the attic
6. Making an attic floor is much more expensive than a full floor plus an attic
7. It is impossible to fix leaks, in contrast to the attic.
AND questions comfort and status:
1. I need flat ceilings, because these cut ceilings (attics) are ugly. In the end it is more solid when there are 2 full floors.
2. I don’t want to knock my head on the roof, so that the roof “presses” with its slopes on my head, but I want a lot of space.
I suggest starting with the second group of questions, because there are simply fewer of them =))
I will rephrase it like this:

1. Is the attic floor inconvenient? not solid?

Here I will not touch upon the issues of convenience for now, but will try to reveal the issues of style and status.
Stop, let's make a reservation right away:
I am not against houses with two full floors, not against flat ceilings. Everything has its place, somewhere it is justified, somewhere not, somewhere flat is better in style, somewhere the attic slopes will be more expressive.
My goal is to show with pictures, tell with words, prove with numbers that the attic ceiling is no worse, and in many cases better than flat.
I'll start a little from afar.
We almost all grew up in apartments and spend almost all our lives in apartments, institutions, offices, and so on.
That is, in fact, our whole life passes under flat ceilings. And it is quite natural that when we start to think about our home, we transfer all the baggage of “life experience” and habits into it.
From here come home-made layouts of houses that look like bloated apartments, from here comes the desire to live in the same rectangular box inside as in the apartment. Well, perhaps a two-story one.
Sorry for the banal comparison, but there is such a phrase - to live under your own roof, to have your own roof over your head.

No apartment can afford show this very a roof over your head, show the slopes of that very roof. A country house can.

Therefore, I believe that if you have a pitched roof, then it is a sin not to use it for good.
Now we are not talking about convenience, reliability and other technical issues. Now we are talking about aesthetics. About beauty. About suburban architecture.
Therefore, let's move on to the pictures. There will probably be a lot of them in this article =))
This is how many developers see rooms in the attic floors:
By the way. When I need to find a photo of the category "uzhos-uzhos", I go straight to Avito in the section selling houses =))) There is all the reality that surrounds us. There are the results of the “creativity” of self-builders and “specialists” of architects. You don't even need to search, the first ones that come across:

Probably the best way to increase the usable area of ​​your own home is to replace the gable roof of the house with an attic one. Thus, you can purchase one, two or even three additional rooms without carving out additional space on the site and without getting involved in the very time-consuming processes of pouring a new foundation and erecting walls. And in order to find out how to make an attic correctly, you need to consider all the stages of its arrangement, from calculations to the roofing of the roof and the finishing of the resulting additional rooms.

In order for all work to be successful, first of all, you need to make sure that the existing walls (if the superstructure is being built in the old house) are able to withstand the additional load. It will depend on this factor whether it is worth starting such a construction project, and if so, which structure of the attic roof would be better to stop at.

It should be noted that the load on the load-bearing walls will increase significantly - due to the larger number of rafters, due to the mass of interior decoration of walls and floors, windows and doors, the insulation system, as well as all elements of the interior filling of the attic rooms. All these factors indicate that you need to start with the choice of the optimal design of the attic, with calculations, drawing up a project and drawings of the future superstructure.

Types of attic superstructures

According to the current building codes, an attic is a room under a roof, which has a height from the ceiling to the ridge of at least 2500 mm. If this parameter is less than the specified limit, then the room is considered an ordinary attic.

  • If the vertical racks that determine the height of the walls of the room are 1500 mm in size, then the attic space can be considered a full-fledged floor.
  • A semi-attic space is called an attic space in which vertical posts are completely absent, or if they have a height of 500 to 700 mm.

Any roof structure is always based on triangles with their "rigid" structure

There are several types of attic superstructures, but the most popular of them are high gable and broken structures. Their popularity can be explained by simpler calculations, relatively simple installation work and ease of use. In third place, after gable and broken structures, can be called a single-pitched version of the roof, which is also sometimes used to equip the attic. Unfortunately, this type of superstructure cannot be used in every construction of the house, since it requires not only the reconstruction of the roof, but also the raising of the already built walls to the height, which significantly increases the load both on them and on the foundation.

If a new house is being built, and a second floor is planned in the form of an attic, then the single-pitched version of the roof is well suited for this purpose. In addition, it will help save on roofing material.

More complex structures - domed, hipped, as well as with various projections-consoles arranged in the roof slopes (single-level and multi-level), are used extremely rarely and only in exclusive projects, since they have a complex structure both in engineering calculations and in installation.


The figure under the numbers shows:

1 - Gable attic.

2 - Broken attic

3 - One-level cantilever attic

4 - Multilevel attic.

Gable attic

Attic space under d a pitched roof, which is arranged at an angle between the slopes of 80 ÷ 90 degrees on the ridge, may well be converted into an attic. To create full-fledged living quarters under it, it will be necessary to carry out a number of necessary reconstructions, for example, very often it cannot do without strengthening the attic floor. All these alterations and plus to this - the necessary insulation will certainly "eat up" a significant part of the usable space under the roof, so you should not expect that the rooms in such an attic will be spacious and with high ceilings.


Of course, if the dimensions (length and width) of the house are large enough, and the roof has a significant angle of inclination (45 degrees or even higher), then after the alterations it will be possible to count on a relatively spacious attic room.

Sloping roof

The room under the sloping mansard roof will be much more spacious and with a fairly high ceiling. Such an attic can be easily divided into two separate rooms.


The interior of the attic, made according to the "broken" type

The sloping roof has four slope planes. They are located at different angles - the upper slopes are called ridge, and the lower ones are called lateral. They, for the most part, play the role of walls.

This type of attic roof is somewhat more complicated in design and installation, but on the other hand, the result will delight you with spacious rooms and a respectable appearance of the house.

One-level cantilever attic

This type of attic has an even more complex design than the previous one, since it involves displacement of the attic space to one side or the other.


Using this version of the attic device, you can get spacious rooms, much larger in area than under a d-pitched roof.

The design of a single-level attic roof can repeat not only a gable, but also a single-pitched version - this will depend on how much it is supposed to take the console out of the attic and raise its ceiling.

Multilevel superstructure

A multi-level structure is the most difficult to design and install. In its development and construction, the help of qualified specialists will definitely be needed. Supports for the levels of the attic rooms are various rafter systems and floors, which are combined with the main one. A multi-level system assumes the location of rooms at different levels of the attic, which is why the consoles should be located in this way.


Having chosen the most desirable type of attic, it is necessary to determine whether it is possible to arrange it on the old walls of the house, or whether they will have to be strengthened. Therefore, it is necessary to carry out accurate calculations and draw up a project.

The basics of the roof truss structure

Most roofs, and the attic in this matter is no exception, has one of two types of rafter system, or a combined version of them. Each of these varieties has its own characteristics, which depend on the location of the load-bearing walls of the building.

Hanging system

The hanging truss system is determined by the fact that it is supported only on two external main walls located along the length of the building, in which there are no internal main partitions.


Such a system is used provided that the distance between the capital supports is no more than 13 ÷ 14 meters. In any case, this structure gives a fairly large load on the walls and foundation of the building.

To relieve the loads in this system, various support elements - crossbars, headstock, struts, puffs, racks and other details.

For example, the grandmothers, as it were, suspend the entire system to the ridge beam by tightening, and the struts pull the overlapping beams to the rafter legs.

For the attic floor in this system, it is necessary to use thick bars, logs or boards, which are installed on the edge. Their thickness can be determined from the table given in this publication, taking as a basis the distance between the support points.

In order for the overlap to be reliable and durable when using the hanging system, it is necessary to carry out accurate calculations, and if it is difficult to do this on your own, then it is better

Reclining construction

The elevated system differs in that it has supports not only on the external main walls, but also on the internal partitions, which have a foundation under them.


Therefore, starting the construction of a house in which an attic is planned, you need to think in advance about the location of the internal capital partitions.

For a house with an attic, a layered system is the best option, since the beams overlapping the house will be firmly and reliably fixed to the walls and partitions.

When erecting a broken attic roof structure, you can use a combined version of the roofing system, that is, use elements of both a hanging and a layered system.

Attic design

When drawing up a project for the construction of any type of attic, it is recommended to consider it in different projections in order to visually determine the location of all supporting elements. Calculating all the parameters of the attic, they must be immediately entered into the project.

Based on the calculations made, the places and methods of installation of all structural elements of the rafter system are determined. The calculation is also necessary to accurately determine the materials needed for the construction of the attic and their parameters.

Structural elements

Any of the wooden structures of the attic roof consists of certain elements that are connected to each other by connecting nodes that have different configurations. In order to better understand the design of these connections, it is recommended to draw each of them, and when carrying out installation work, it is imperative to have this drawing-drawing on hand.


The structure of the sloped attic roof includes the following system components:

  • Mauerlat - element, made of wooden beams and laid on the main walls of the building in its length. It serves to evenly distribute the load from the structure of the rafter system to the wall and foundation. Rafter legs are installed and fixed on the Mauerlat. This element is mounted both in the gable and in the broken roof structure of the attic.
  • Floor beams, which are laid on the main walls of the building and are the basis for the future attic floor and the ceiling of the first floor, as well as for the installation of the entire rafter system.
  • The rafter leg consists of one straight element - bar or boards in a gable roof, or from two parts - in a broken structure. In a sloping mansard roof, the upper part, fixed to the ridge, is called the ridge, and the lower, which forms the walls of the attic, is called the side. Obviously, the side leg will be installed on a layered basis, while the upper ridge rafter will usually become hanging
  • A bar or board of a certain thickness is used for the ridge. Sometimes they do without this, connecting the upper ridge parts of the rafter legs, which form the ridge.
  • The racks are the supporting elements of the system. They support the rafter legs and relieve some of the load from the walls and foundation of the structure. The racks will later become a crate for the walls, which will be installed in the process of finishing the attic.
  • Slopes or other elements installed diagonally are additional supports that hold the rafters and retaining beams together, making the system design more reliable.
  • Between the rafter legs for rigidity, bars are installed, called inter-rafter girders - they also give rigidity to the system.

Basic calculations of the attic

It is rather difficult to develop a mansard roof project on your own, since this process requires certain knowledge and skills in designing and carrying out specific architectural calculations. If mistakes are made at the same time, the construction of the attic will be unreliable, and in addition, its weight can damage the walls and foundation of the building.


Everything should be taken into account in the calculations - from the beginning of construction to finishing the premises.

However, if a not too complex design is conceived, then you can try to cope on your own.

Ridge height calculation

The size useful area the attic room depends on the height of the roof ridge, and the latter is determined by the selected slope of the slopes - the smaller this angle, the lower the ceiling and, accordingly, less effective area attic space.


H =L× tgα

H- ridge height;

L- ½ the width of the building (if we are talking about a gable symmetrical roof);

α - the angle of inclination of the rafter system slope.


Scheme - for clarity

As an example, you can substitute the applicable data into the formula above:

Building size 8 × 10 m, slope angle 30 °, tangent 30 ° = 0.58

H = 8/2 × 0.58 = 2.32 m

The ridge height will be 2,32 m.

In great detail, with all possible nuances and the necessary reference tables, the process and all other related parameters are outlined from a separate publication devoted to this particular issue.

The area of ​​the inner space of the attic

The technique used to determine the area of ​​the attic space will make it possible to calculate the amount of material required for the construction of the rafter system, for insulation and decoration. Particularly accurate calculations are important if the attic will be used to equip additional living rooms, since they require special design.

Usually, the entire area of ​​the room under the roof is calculated, that is, both useful and the so-called "deaf"... The living space is limited by the installed racks, which will be the basis for the installation and finishing material of the walls. The zone behind them is considered deaf, that is, more often than not, not used.

The total area is calculated quite simply: the width of the overhangs on both sides is added to the width of the building. The resulting amount is multiplied by the length of the structure.

The area of ​​living space is also easy to find: to do this, you need to measure the width of the attic space between the racks installed under one and the other roof slopes, and multiply the resulting parameter by the length of the attic from the gable to the gable.

Roofing area

To determine in advance the amount of roofing material, it is necessary to calculate the total area of ​​the roof slopes.

If a decision is made to install a broken or even more complex structure, it is necessary to calculate the area of ​​all sections of the roof. To do this, you need to break it down into separate geometric shapes, and then calculate the area of ​​each of them and add the results.

For those who vaguely remember the formulas for calculating the areas of flat figures, there is a "cheat sheet" scheme.

Shed roof area

If the roof of the attic is pitched, then you can calculate its area using the formula: Sabcd = Lcd × Lbd.


The area of ​​one slope - nothing could be easier

Pay attention to the picture. When calculating, not only the length and width of the rafter structure of the ramp are taken into account - we must not forget about the eaves overhangs on all sides.

Gable roof

With a symmetrical arrangement of the roof slopes, for calculating a gable roof, it remains only to multiply the value obtained above by two.

For example, let's take the same example discussed above. The size of the building is 10 × 8 m. The angle of the slope is 30 °, the height of the ridge is H = 2.32 m. It is not difficult to determine the length of the rafter - S

S = H / sin α = 2.32 / 0.5 = 4.64 m

We accept the eaves overhang 0,7 m, gable overhang 0,7 m. Using the slope roof formula, the area of ​​one slope is calculated.

(10 + 2 × 0.7) × (4.64 + 0.7) = 60.88 m²

Then, to get the total area of ​​the two slopes, the resulting result is multiplied by two.

Q = 121.76 m2

This technique is designed to calculate the solid surface of the slopes, excluding windows, ventilation ducts and chimneys.


If the roof has a very complex structure, then it is better not to risk it and still seek help from professionals who will make the necessary calculations using special computer applications.

When using slate, soft roofing, other profile materials, you can use a simplified calculation formula.

We start from the picture:

So, the following formula is applicable for the calculation:

Q= K × (B + 2A) × (L + 2C)

Q- the required amount of roofing;

V the width of the building (along the gable wall);

A- the width of the planned eaves overhangs of the roof;

L- the total length of the building;

C- the width of the side overhangs of the roof.

TO Is a coefficient that takes into account the angle of inclination of the slope in relation to the horizon (α). By and large, it is a trigonometric function secant (sec), equal to the reciprocal of cosα.

In order not to go deep into theory, it is easier to give a coefficient table TO in absolute, that is, numerical dimension:

Tilt angle, degreesCoefficient KTilt angle, degreesCoefficient KTilt angle, degreesCoefficient KTilt angle, degreesCoefficient K
1 1.0002 18 1.0515 36 1.2361 53 1.6616
2 1.0006 19 1.0576 37 1.2521 54 1.7013
3 1.0014 20 1.0642 38 1.2690 55 1.7434
4 1.0024 21 1.0711 39 1.2868 56 1.7883
5 1.0038 22 1.0785 40 1.3054 57 1.8361
6 1.0055 23 1.0864 41 1.3250 58 1.8871
7 1.0075 24 1.0946 42 1.3456 59 1.9416
8 1.0098 25 1.1034 43 1.3673 60 2.0000
9 1.0125 26 1.1126 44 1.3902 61 2.0627
10 1.0154 27 1.1223 45 1.4142 62 2.1301
11 1.0187 28 1.1326 46 1.4396 63 2.2027
12 1.0223 29 1.1434 47 1.4663 64 2.2812
13 1.0263 30 1.1547 48 1.4945 65 2.3662
14 1.0306 31 1.1666 49 1.5243 66 2.4586
15 1.0353 32 1.1792 50 1.5557 67 2.5593
16 1.0403 33 1.1924 51 1.5890 68 2.6695
17 1.0457 34 1.2062 52 1.6243 69 2.7904
35 1.2208 70 2.9238

Let's go back to our example:

Q= 1.1547 × (8 + 2 × 0.7) × (10 + 2 × 0.7) = 123.74 m2

Taking into account overlaps slate sheets - it turns out almost the same as in the calculations carried out by a different method. Of course, on the advice of experienced builders, another 10 ÷ 15 should be added to the area obtained when purchasing roofing material. %

(The figure shows a gable roof, however, the formula is fully suitable for calculations with the required level of accuracy for gable or hip roofs. True, with a caveat - for a hip roof, the slope of the main and side slopes must coincide. If not, then the calculation is carried out for each pairs of stingrays separately and then the value is added up).

Total weight with trailing system and roofing

It is equally important to correctly choose the optimal material for the roofing and correctly make a crate for it. This calculation is carried out taking into account the length of the rafters and the angle of their slope.

The lathing for roofing material can be sparse, mixed or solid. For example, a metal tile, corrugated board or slate is fixed on a sparse lathing, and a soft roof - only on a solid one.

When choosing a roof, you need to get information about its performance. The durability and reliability of the roof structure will depend on them. Roofing material must also be selected taking into account the specific region and its climatic conditions, especially factors such as temperature drops and strong winds.

An important factor is the weight of the roof covering, especially if the attic roof is installed on old walls. Therefore, you should estimate the weight of the roof in advance and find out how much the load on the building structure will increase, and whether it will be acceptable.

Roofing material for mansard roofRoof slopeMaterial weight kg / m²
Asbestos cement slate sheets with a medium profile1:10 to 1: 211
Slate with reinforced profile1: 5 to 1: 113
Bituminous shinglesFrom 1:10 and more6 - 8
Soft roof with continuous sheathingFrom 1:10 and more9 - 15
Galvanized sheet metal with single folds1: 4 and more3 - 6,5
Double fold1: 5 and more3 - 6,5
Ceramic roof tiles1: 5 to 1: 0.550 - 60
Cement-sand tile1: 5 to 1: 0.545 - 70
Metal tile1: 5 and more5 - 7
OndulinFrom 1:10 and more3 - 3,5

Most often, a soft roof or ondulin is used to cover attics, since these materials are one of those that have the smallest weight and are easy to install.


For example, you can calculate the weight of 1 square meter of the roof, where ondulin is used for covering, taking into account the lathing and insulation - sprayed polyurethane foam. To do this, you need to find the sum of the weight of each of the materials and multiply by a factor of 1.1 (this factor takes into account the overlap on adjacent sheets of roofing material).

  • The weight with a flat crate, 20 mm thick (plywood or OSB) is 14 kg / m².
  • Insulation - polyurethane foam, 100 mm thick, has an average weight of 3 kg / m²
  • Average weight of ondulin - 3.3 kg / m²

We get the sum:

(14 + 3 + 3.3) × 1.1 = 22.3kg / m²

To calculate the total weight load of the roof on the walls, you need to multiply the weight of one square meter by the area of ​​the entire coating. In our example, this will turn out:

M = 123.74 × 22.3 = 2751.82 kg.

Quite a lot - almost 3 tons is provided only by a very light roof covering with a crate and also a very light type of insulation.

But this is not all! The roof is affected by snow loads in winter, plus wind pressure, all year round. These parameters are also necessarily taken into account when calculating the necessary wooden structural elements of the rafter system and floor beams, and when taking into account the total load of the roof structure on the walls and foundation of the building.

- Then, the entire system is closed with a vapor barrier film, which is fixed to the joists with staples.

- Boards or plywood sheets can be placed on top of it.


- A decorative coating is laid on them - it can be linoleum, laminate, parquet board and other materials.


Additional insulation can be created by laying an electric cable or infrared heat-insulated floor under the decorative coating. It is better to read about these possibilities separately in the article devoted to

  • If the floor is mounted on floor joists, you will have to work from the side of the first floor.

- Boards are mounted on the floor beams from the side of the lower room. It is desirable that they are even, you can even use a floorboard for the subfloor.

- After that, a vapor barrier film is laid on these boards from the attic, which will cover not only the subfloor, but also the floor beams.


- On top of it, another layer of vapor barrier is laid and attached to the beams.

- Then, lags are fixed to this covering perpendicular to the beams.

- Another layer of insulation is mounted between the lags, it is better to choose mineral wool for it, since, when straightening, it is tightly installed between the bars, leaving no voids.

- Then it should also be covered with a vapor barrier material.


If it is decided to cover the floor with one of the decorative coatings, then plywood sheets are laid on top of the log, and then laminate, linoleum or other materials are laid on them. Again, nothing prevents in this case from using, for example, film floor heating.

Installation of insulation on the walls and ceiling of the attic

After finishing the installation of the floor, you can proceed to the installation of insulation on the walls.


- If material in mats is selected for this process, then before laying it, the sheets of vapor barrier material are fixed to the rafters.

It is fixed in such a way as to cover the entire space and deepen it between the rafters.



If the vapor barrier is fixed on the other side of the rafters, then the mats will independently hold between two wooden surfaces.


- If one of them is selected, then it is not necessary to fix a vapor barrier film under it. It will be enough waterproofing, which is laid on the rafters outside the structure.


Spraying polyurethane foam - quickly and efficiently, but special equipment and work skills are required

To use this insulation technology, you need to have special technological equipment, or you will have to invite a specialist who will do the job in one day. It is not easy to carry out this operation on your own without experience - in order to perform the work without prejudice to your health, you need to know the technology of the process and have the necessary protective equipment.

After the insulation work, the wall cladding is carried out.

Prices for popular types of insulation

Insulation

Attic wall decoration

Before starting the wall decoration, it is necessary to resolve the issue of electrical wiring, the cable of which must be well insulated with double-layer corrugated pipes.


After the wiring of the electrical cable is done, you can safely proceed with the installation of the finishing material.

For decoration, they usually use wooden lining, drywall or plywood with a beautiful textured pattern.

For any of these materials, it is advisable to make a crate of rails with a cross-section of approximately 20 × 70 mm on the rafter legs and vertical posts. These guides are fixed in steps of 500 ÷ 600 mm. In addition to the fact that the lathing of the slats becomes the basis for fixing the finish, it also forms a ventilation gap between the finishing material and the vapor barrier.

  • is made quite simply. It keeps walls clean and neat, ready to be painted, traditional wallpaper or even liquid wallpaper.

Therefore, plasterboard finishing should be chosen by those homeowners who like to frequently change the interior design of the premises.


  • Decorating walls with clapboard is a longer and more laborious process than. For such a sheathing, a crate with the above parameters is also perfect. The only thing that needs to be thought over is the direction of the lining boards, that is, it will have to be located vertically with the horizontal orientation of the lathing and vice versa.

If desired, after installation, the wood can be varnished with a water-based varnish or given a deeper color using wood stain.

Wood is an amazing material that can create a special atmosphere in the room with the scent of a forest, which has a positive effect on the structure and well-being of residents. That is why natural lining is very often chosen for covering the floor, walls and ceiling of the attic.

Video: warming the attic room and finishing it with clapboard

  • You can think of a beautiful plywood finish. But that's only if it will not be covered with paint on top, then you need to choose a high-quality material that has a beautiful natural pattern. Plywood is mounted much faster than lining, and makes the walls even, covering large surfaces at once.

This material can be covered with varnish, paint or any kind of wallpaper, but you can leave the walls in their natural state only by carefully cleaning up possible defects in the form of protruding splinters or burrs.


The construction of an attic is a rather laborious and complex process that requires high experience in the construction craft. If no one has a clue about the above technological operations, then you should not undertake it yourself - it is better to invite professional masters to perform the work. They will save you from unnecessary problems and will build an attic according to the project conceived by the owner of the house.

Video: an example of the construction and decoration of the attic

What are the majority of attics in Soviet-built private houses? Dark and dirty rooms in which the owners put various belongings, which it is a pity to throw out, but no one wants to use either. Give a second life to your attic or attic - renovate ancillary space and expand your living space. Yes, the attic room has a very complex shape, the strong bevel of the ceiling formed by the gable roof does not allow to be there in full growth throughout the entire area. But with a reasonable approach to planning and the use of effective design techniques, you can achieve unprecedented results - turn a room littered with rubbish into an incredibly comfortable and cozy space for rest, work, creativity and sports, games with children.

If your private house has an attic, then it would be strange not to use these square meters for the benefit of the family. Living room, bedroom, guest room, dressing room, office or even an additional bathroom - the possibilities for arranging the attic are limited only by your desire, needs and the size of the reconstruction budget. We bring to your attention an impressive selection of design projects for the decoration of attic and attic spaces, due to the needs of their owners. Let the modern, practical and visually appealing interiors inspire your makeover.

Bedroom in the attic - practical, comfortable, aesthetically pleasing

Arranging a bedroom in a room with a gable roof ceiling is the best option. Indeed, in the sleeping space, you will spend most of the time in a horizontal position, when the height of the ceilings and their bevel is not so crucial. Many attics don't have enough space to accommodate a full living room or children's room. But the master bedroom or the guest room can become a comfortable additional space for your home.

If you have a fairly spacious attic room, you can equip a bedroom for two people. Beds placed in areas with the greatest bevel of the ceiling will save usable space for the passage, along which you can walk in full height without any discomfort.

You have long been able to equip the main premises of your private home - all the necessary functional areas are located and decorated in accordance with your stylistic preferences. But a small nook of space in the attic remains not covered. Use this space to arrange sleeping places for guests. Here is a vivid example of the fact that even a modest-sized room of an original form can become a cozy place to sleep. And whatever you have stored in the attic up to now, in no particular order, can be folded into storage systems built into the bases of the beds.

Here is an example of organizing several sleeping places in the form of built-in blocks with storage systems. Each berth is a cell with individual lighting and adjacent shelves and cabinets.

In the spacious attic room, you can organize not just a bedroom, but a multifunctional station containing, in addition to a sleeping place, a dressing area and a workplace. Embedding a wardrobe complex around the front door on the entire space from floor to ceiling can significantly save the useful space of the bedroom. And the work table in the boudoir area can also be used as a toilet.

Features of finishing a bedroom in the attic

To radically transform an old attic into an elegant bedroom, it is difficult to come up with a more elegant design move than using a snow-white finish. One of the problems of attic spaces, in addition to irregular shapes and large bevelled ceilings, is poor lighting. It is rare in which roof it is possible to make a window to provide the space with a source of natural light. As a rule, one has to be content with a window (or windows) located on the gable of the building. That is why the attic space so needs a light finish, snow-white and glossy surfaces that can reflect sunlight.

One of the basic rules for the visual expansion of space is “dark bottom, white top”. A bedroom with dark flooring and crisp white walls that often merge abruptly into the ceiling will seem larger than it really is. Ceiling beams made of wood to match the floorboard or parquet will become an original addition, accent and part of the structure.

Living room in the attic room - design features

For attic spaces with a skylight, the process of arranging the living room is simplified. The room is filled with sunlight and you have at least one wall on the pediment of the building. This free plane can be used for arranging a video zone or installing an artificial fireplace. And in the space with the lowest ceiling height, install sofas and armchairs. Light finishes, a couple of bright accents and even a small space under the roof itself will look attractive, cozy and modern.

The attic spaces of private houses are often decorated with the active use of natural material - wood. This finish is an excellent soundproofing tool (after all, we do not forget that we will be under the very roof, on which rain, and even hail will knock), wooden panels are able to "breathe", not to mention the fact that such a design gives natural warmth the whole image of the room.

Living room in snow-white tones with an abundance of sunlight - none of your guests will recognize the former cluttered attic or attic in such a magnificent room. Light furniture will add elegance to the interior, glass and mirror surfaces, shiny fittings, elements of furniture and lighting fixtures - all together will create a completely airy, light atmosphere.

Pastel shades are perfect for decorating a living room located in an asymmetrical room. Popular nude tones will be a great option for a foundation, complemented by a pair of contrasting bright accents.

It happens that the attic space is very modest in size, and even the shape is presented in an unknown geometric variation. But even such a complex room can be equipped efficiently, brightly, and modernly. Here is an example of such a bold design project with bright finishes, an unusual choice of furniture and a non-trivial approach to decoration.

If light, pastel colors for interior decoration are not your element, but a contrasting, original design can cheer you up, then you can start with an attic room or an attic alteration to try your hand at the original design. The next lounge, for example, uses a combination of dark structural elements with wood paneling. Modest in quantity, but original in design, furnishings, a large window with a beautiful view and contrasting finishes - a non-trivial room in design is ready!

If you give free rein to your design ideas in such important family rooms as the living room, bedroom or nursery, you do not have enough courage - try to practice in the attic! It is here that you can safely use unusual shapes and creative colors, handmade furniture and paint your own walls.

For all lovers of wine drinks, collectors and not only, we can offer the option of decorating in the attic not just a living room, but a tasting room. Wine cabinets built-in in places with the lowest ceiling height, comfortable sofas and armchairs, a small sideboard or a display cabinet for dishes - what else do you need for comfortable relaxation and gatherings with friends?

Children's room on the site of the old attic - miracles of alteration

In some private households, the height of the attic space does not allow adult owners to feel comfortable there. But for small households in the space under the roof itself, you can arrange a cozy nest. Children like small nooks, small closets, in which you can not just retire, but be a full-fledged owner. With a large bevel of the ceiling in such spaces, it would be logical to place the storage system in the lowest zone, and in the place of the highest point of the ceiling - a segment for recreation, creativity and games.

In the attic, you can place a full-fledged children's room with a sleeping place, an area for games, activities and creativity. The main thing is that the room is sufficiently illuminated, if there is an opportunity to replace old small windows with new double-glazed windows with large dimensions - do not miss this opportunity. It is easy to get rid of the abundance of sunlight - it is enough to have curtains or blinds on the windows, but the lack of natural light will affect the psychological and physical condition of a child who spends a lot of time in his room.

The attic room needs a light finish more than others - the reason for this is the absence of large windows that can provide the space with an abundance of sunlight, and the asymmetric shapes of the room itself, which I would not want to focus on. But in a room for children it is impossible to do with only light tones, the gaze of a child needs more bright accents than ours, on which attention can be focused. Use all available means to diversify the color palette of the nursery located in the attic - bright furniture, colorful textiles for decorating sleeping places, colored shades on pendant lamps and wall sconces, colorful rugs and even floor coverings.

Office, workshop or library - arrangement of the attic floor

In a tiny attic, it will hardly be possible to arrange a full-fledged living room or bedroom, there will not be enough space for organizing a game room or a gym. But to design an office or personal workshop, you only need a couple of square meters. A desk, easel or musical instrument in the highest ceiling, storage systems at the lowest points or hanging shelves on the pediment - and the study or workshop is ready.

Do not sew up roof structures with plasterboard. In addition to the fact that you will significantly reduce the space of the attic or attic, you will also deprive the interior of the office of its individuality. The wooden beams on the ceiling of the office become a kind of source of natural heat, which we so often lack in modern homes with an abundance of technology and electronics.

And here is the opposite design project of the office, designed for the work of at least two people. The snow-white matte and glossy surfaces seem to have completely absorbed the interior of the room. Only the original ceiling beams act as a bright accent.

Here is an original and rational way of embedding a bookcase in a library or study. Depending on the number and size of windows, different compositions from open shelves can be obtained. But in any case, you will be sure that you have used all the space of the attic space provided to you to the maximum.

What could be better than solitude with your favorite book in a small but cozy space of the former attic, and now a comfortable home library? Built-in bookshelves, comfortable armchairs or sofas, floor lamps for reading in the dark, lots of pillows and a warm rug on the floor - a cozy atmosphere for reading is ready.

It is rare in any private house that there is a free room on the ground floor for arranging an area for sports. Why not use the extra space in your attic or attic? Of course, provided that your sports are not related to throwing a heavy barbell on the floor, from the blows of which the chandeliers will tremble on the ground floor. In areas with the lowest height, you can place storage systems for sports equipment and clothing, install a small sofa for relaxation, and use all the remaining space exclusively for training.

In large cities, where the population density is high, and real estate prices are prohibitive, even apartments located under the roof of an apartment building are becoming a good purchase. The key point in this case is the location of the dwelling in the center of the metropolis. If the entire apartment is an attic space, it is not surprising that utilitarian spaces are located under the roof itself. The design of the bathroom located in the attic has its own nuances. The correct layout, taking into account not only the size of the room and the height of the owners, but also the laws of ergonomics, will help create a truly comfortable and practical space for water procedures.

Home cinema in the attic - a dream come true

In modern private houses, one can increasingly find the design of the first floor in the form of combining three functional zones in one space through an open plan - living room, kitchen and dining room. This arrangement of the living segments of the dwelling is very convenient, it allows you to save usable space, without prejudice to each zone separately. But in such a living room it is difficult to arrange a full-fledged home theater. And in this case, we remember about the free space in the attic attic. A large TV or projector screen, comfortable and roomy sofas, a couple of small tables-stands and your once abandoned attic is ready to receive guests for an interesting movie show.

A home theater setting will be truly magical if small lamps are built into the false ceiling. You can arrange switching lighting modes - usually for watching movies with the effect of the starry sky.

Cloakroom under the roof - we save space

Where else, if not in the attic to take out all the storage functions? There is often simply not enough space in the bedroom, and only owners of very spacious houses can afford to allocate a separate room for a dressing room on the ground floor. In the attic space, you will be limited in the number of storage systems only by the size and shape of the room. But even the most modest attic space can accommodate the wardrobe of all family members.

Only at first glance it might seem that an asymmetrical attic room with niches and a large bevel of the ceiling is not suitable for built-in cabinet furniture. Of course, ready-made solutions presented in a wide assortment in furniture stores will not work for a space that is complex in shape. But custom-made, in accordance with the characteristics of your difficult room, storage systems will be the best option for placing the maximum possible number of cabinets, shelves and racks on the minimum amount of occupied space.

Effective and stylish arrangement of the attic floor or attic

It is difficult these days to imagine the layout of a house without the presence of an attic in it. It is also being built in old buildings, thus adding living space instead of an outdated attic.

When creating a new building, the issue with the construction of the attic is decided in advance in the project. If the attic is being built independently in an old house, then it is necessary to carefully study all the requirements for reconstruction or for an extension in an already finished building.

What is an attic

An attic is an attic-like living space that is formed on the upper floors of houses with a mansard roof. Any person with special skills in the construction process can build an attic on their own.

An attic floor is understood as a floor in an attic, the façade of which, in whole or in part, is formed by the surfaces of an inclined or sloping roof. In fact, it is a full-fledged living space inside the building.

To reduce the load on an already erected structure, during the construction work of the attic floor, light materials and structures are used with their own hands. A tree is indispensable in these matters. The attic is often independently built from wood; for this purpose, beams, logs or frame-panel technology are used.

Attic types


Types of gable roofs: options for the purpose of the structure

The shape of the attic room depends on. The attic can cover the entire building or only a part of it. Rooms with it are symmetrical or asymmetrical. They are often triangular or broken in shape. True, not every roof is designed for the construction of an attic.

The attic roof is of the following types:

  • 1-pitched;
  • 2-pitched;
  • broken line;
  • hip;
  • tent (pyramidal, round, conical).

Let's consider in detail:

  • A pitched roof is erected quite infrequently. Due to the high difference between the height of the walls, such an attic will become asymmetrical and it will be difficult to install windows.
  • A gable roof often implies a symmetrical arrangement of the attic. It will have sloping interior walls. When building this roof, elongated boards are used, which will not come cheap. True, the performance indicators of this roof are quite high. A serious advantage is that with such a roof, it is possible to install full-fledged windows and doors, along which the exit to the balcony is located.
  • Broken roof. The attic will have vertical walls. The structure itself reaches more than 5 m in width. The material consumed for this type of roof is much less than for a gable.
  • Hip roof makes it possible to create a comfortable and small attic. It includes 2 slopes in the shape of a trapezoid and a triangle. The windows are located on the ceiling slopes.
  • The hipped roof is also used for the construction of the attic. Windows must have a special shape and are made according to individual projects.

All of these types of structures have their own advantages and disadvantages. Symmetrical structures have a more straightforward scheme, there are no complex calculations in the project, compared to the installation of asymmetric coatings.

What is needed for construction

It should be understood that the construction of an attic is a rather complicated process. Here you need to have the proper experience and skills in the field of construction. Before construction work, you should carefully study all the design features of the attic floor, installation methods, as well as situations when it is not possible to complete it.

Materials, tools and project

To build an attic you will need the following materials:

  • wooden beams (section sizes vary depending on the dimensions of the structure and the angle of inclination of the slope);
  • wood boards for lathing;
  • material to sheathe end walls;
  • fasteners for roof mounting;
  • thermal insulation;
  • waterproofing;
  • material for interior decoration of the attic.

To build an attic yourself, you will need the following tool:

  • screwdriver;
  • hammer;
  • level;
  • roulette;
  • lace;
  • saw for woodworking.

Design is considered one of the most important elements of the work, since without its presence it is not advised to start the construction process itself.

If you treat this stage in bad faith, then you can easily overlook any detail that then requires large financial resources to eliminate the error. Prior to the construction of the attic, you will need to make a thorough analysis of the features of the layout of the room, which is subject to re-equipment.

Well-known requirements that serve as a template for construction are in SNiP. In addition, you need to consider the following details:

  • Geometric features of the roof.
  • Creation of conditions for the joint functioning of engineering systems of the roof and other parts of the house.
  • Choosing the right material for construction work.
  • The roof of the attic floor. Mansards with round-sloped roofs require special waterproofing and special insulation.


Attic construction

The planning of the attic can be carried out both in the process of construction work, and during the construction of the attic already on a pre-finished building. Beforehand, you should carefully check the base of the building.

It is extremely important to correctly calculate the load of the attic on the building, since the quality of the attic and the general condition of the entire dwelling will depend on this factor.

Detailed step-by-step instructions


Mansard roof rafter system

  1. First, you need to have wood beams. They should be applied on top of the waterproofing material. The optimal ones are roofing material or roofing felt sold in rolls. When working with them, you do not need any specialized skills. In the case of creating a wooden floor, there is no need to install an auxiliary beam.
  2. Next, the racks are mounted on the beams. They represent a specific skeleton of the walls of the attic being erected. For best performance, they should be placed no further than 2 m between them. Each post must be level. After installation, they are recommended to be sheathed on both sides. We must not forget to lay the insulation in the middle of the racks. Each post must be individually secured with spikes and brackets.
  3. Then the top beam is laid. It is fixed in any convenient way. It is important that the beams must be strong and durable.
  4. Next is set. Thanks to it, a high level of strength of fastening the roof rafters to the wall is ensured. It will make it possible to direct the weight of the roof onto the walls. Since the Mauerlat is located on the wall, the load on it is small. The main thing is not to forget to lay a layer of waterproofing under it, in order to avoid further decay.
  5. If the Mauerlat is properly fixed, then it will protect the roof from the influence of wind, snow in the winter. To fix it, use an annealed wire with a diameter of up to 0.5 cm.
  6. Next, the rafters are installed. The markings are preliminarily applied on the rafter frame and the Mauerlat in the place where the rafter legs will be installed. Only boards with a perfectly flat surface are suitable for rafters.
  7. The rafters are supported by a ridge beam. If the attic is large enough in area, then, of course, the weight of the entire roof will become large. Thanks to this, the beam is considered an indispensable part of the structure. If the rafter legs are less than 8 m in length, then ordinary stretch marks are quite useful.
  8. Installation of filly. It is carried out in the same way as the rafter legs.
  9. Then a hem board should be nailed to the filly. It will prevent the influence of wind and virtually any natural precipitation.
  10. Before installing the roof, you need to decide where the windows will be installed. Their total area is at least 13-14% of the area of ​​the side walls. At the place of installation of windows, the rafter legs should be strengthened. For this purpose, transverse beams are installed.

Additional work

In order for the attic to have a long service life, it is necessary to carry out a number of additional work associated with increasing its obstruction to the effects of mechanical and natural factors.

Warming and waterproofing

  • When creating an attic roof on your own, its insulation plays an important role. The implementation of these works begins after the installation of the rafters. The area of ​​connection with the environment is quite large, therefore, high-quality insulation is needed (for example, mineral wool). The insulation itself is protected on both sides. Steam can penetrate inside and water can penetrate outside. The most popular material is membrane film.
  • Outside, where there is a ventilated air gap, the insulation is protected by waterproofing, a windproof vapor-permeable membrane. It is impossible to use for installation in the roof or attic, as waterproofing and windproof membrane, materials that are at the same time vapor barrier. Installation of waterproofing and wind protection is done on top of the roof rafters. Waterproofing is attached to them using wooden beams or a stapler. After installation, waterproofing joints are carefully glued with tape. Waterproofing is installed in order to protect the insulation from high humidity from atmospheric precipitation that fall into the gaps with gusts of wind, as well as from condensation on the other side of the roof.
  • Ventilation of the attic floor should be carefully arranged. Since now this is a living space, it is necessary to create the proper conditions for housing. The main problem with its microclimate is the heat coming from the lower floors, which is the reason that condensation accumulates on the insulation. Condensation has a detrimental effect on it and this can lead to rotting and destruction. A vapor barrier is added to protect it. If condensation still accumulates on the thermal insulation layer, you should think about a forced ventilation system.


Attic insulation with foam

Attic finishing

Attic finishing work with plasterboard

To begin with, roof slopes and gables are sheathed, then the ceiling is trimmed. To sheathe the roof slopes on the rafter legs horizontally, beams are mounted in increments of 1 m, then horizontal beams are mounted in the intervals.

The next step is to measure drywall according to the specified dimensions and then mount it on the base. quite simple, but at the same time quite laborious process. When everything is completed, all gaps and crevices should be repaired.

Attic finishing work with clapboard

Finishing work under a tree is quite in demand for attics, and the installation of the lining itself is not difficult. It is cut to the required height and nailed to a wooden base using nails at the joints, so the cap will not be visible.

After each sheet of lining, it is necessary to inspect its position using a level, otherwise there will be a risk of a large skew at the end of the wall. When the installation of the lining is finished, it should be covered with several layers of varnish.


  • Choosing the best option for a mansard roof increases the living space in the building. Various types of roof structures can be installed not only during the construction of the building, but also during the reconstruction of the structure. With the latter option, it is necessary to calculate in advance the ability of the base and walls to withstand additional loads.
  • The construction of the attic roof provides for the installation of a rafter system made of carefully dried wooden beams. To perform the structural elements, beams of various sections are used. Installation of the attic is done using lightweight and safe material.
  • Insulation of the attic inside the room, which is located under the roof, loses heat rather than the lower floors. Because of this, the roof must include a reliable insulation. It is installed in the middle of the outer waterproofing layer and vapor barrier from the side of the room. A well-made cake ensures a long service life for the entire roofing system. For the interior decoration of the attic room, natural wood is most often used. But wall and ceiling cladding can be done with other sheet materials, including drywall.


The attic floor today is an indispensable element of modern private buildings. Between the roof and the top floor of the house, you can arrange a bathroom, a bedroom, and an office. The area and configuration of such rooms will primarily depend on the type of roof.

Making an attic with your own hands is a completely simple process if you carefully study all the nuances of the construction process, as well as comply with all the requirements and advice of specialists described above.

In this case, all the adverse consequences during the construction of the attic and other troubles will bypass you. You should not rush, do everything in turn and the result will meet all expectations.

To use the entire possible area, give the house originality and significantly reduce heat loss through the roof - these are the tasks that the attic solves. If there is a certain margin of safety at the foundation in this way, you can turn a one-story house into a two-level one. It is also attractive that a mansard roof was built with your own hands, even without the presence of special construction skills. It is important not to be mistaken with the choice of materials and do everything according to the rules.

The windows on the regular floor are located in the walls. There are no or almost no walls in the attic. They are replaced by a roof. Therefore, the windows are made special: they not only have to transmit light in sufficient quantities, but also withstand wind and snow loads, which are much greater on the roof than on the walls.

Roof windows

When planning an attic, it is worth considering the recommendations of SNiP. They recommend that the window area be at least 10% of the floor area. So if the attic will be divided into several rooms, there should be a window in each.

Of all the methods shown in the photo for arranging roof windows with an attic, an inclined installation is the easiest to implement. In this case, it is necessary to ensure the proper degree of waterproofing of the junction, as well as to use special models with a reinforced frame and reinforced glass - the load on the surface can be significant.

Advantages of a tilted roof window:

  • more light, less sharp boundaries of light and shadow;
  • the roof surface remains flat, its relief is not complicated;
  • relatively easy installation.

When planning such a window, it must be remembered that its area increases with an increase in the angle of inclination. At what height it is more convenient to install such a window and how its height in centimeters increases depending on the tilt, look at the photo.

The steeper the slope relative to the floor, the lower the window height should be.

The width of the window frame should be 4-6 cm less than the step between the rafters. Then it can be easily installed without disturbing the structure of the frame. If the window is wider, it is necessary to make a reinforced beam above it, calculate the load.

If you need to have a larger window, it is easier to put two narrow ones side by side. They look no worse than one big one, and there will be fewer problems.

When installing a dormer window, the geometry of the roof becomes more complicated: a valley appears on top and on the sides. Because of this, the rafter system becomes more complex both in planning and in assembly. The complexity of the installation of the roof covering also increases. All valleys are where leaks are most likely to occur. Therefore, everything must be done very carefully here. In regions with a large amount of snow, it is advisable to install snow holders above such windows: so that during a sharp descent they will not be demolished.

Arrangement of a vertical window-dormer in the mansard roof

The advantage of such a window: you can stand near it in full growth. But they let in less light, the relief becomes more difficult and the roof becomes more problematic.

A recessed window is usually used if you make an exit to the balcony through it. In other cases, this method of arrangement is not the best option: little light enters, the shadows turn out to be very deep, which is tiring for the eye, the geometry also becomes more complicated, although not to the same extent as in the previous version.

The easiest way is to make a window at the end of the attic. In this case, you do not need a reinforced frame or reinforced glass. It is quite enough just high-quality glasses. It is this option that can most often be seen in summer cottages: this is the most inexpensive option, which is easily implemented with your own hands.

Rafter system

When self-building private houses with an attic, usually a broken roof is chosen. It allows you to get a room of a large area, larger than under the gable.

With an equal width of the base (house), an attic room under a broken roof turns out to be larger than under a conventional gable. The rafter system becomes more complex, but the gable roof with an attic under a sloping roof is still more popular.

The construction of the sloping mansard roof is such that the overhangs can be lowered quite low, giving the house an interesting look. But the long overhang of the roof serves not only a decorative role. They also cover the upper part of the wall from precipitation and divert the bulk of the water away from the foundation. Although when planning you need to keep in mind that in strong winds they increase windage. Because of this, it is necessary to use more powerful boards and beams. Therefore, the size of the roof overhang is chosen based on several considerations, the main of which is weather conditions.

Tilt angle

Depends on the roofing material, but most of all on the region and weather conditions. The classic version is shown in the figure: the lower slopes in relation to the attic floor plane are inclined by 60 °, the upper ones - by 30 °. Based on these data and the parameters of your building, all lengths can be calculated. It is only worth considering that according to SNiP, the ceiling height in the attic cannot be less than 2 m. Then, by definition, it is an attic. A person will feel comfortable if the ceiling is raised to a height of at least 2.2-2.3 m. Based on this, according to the rules of geometry, calculate the required lengths.

In the classic version, the load from precipitation on the side surfaces may not be taken into account. Precipitation will be able to stay only on the upper part, the angle of inclination of which is less than 45 °.

In general, the inclination of the side surfaces usually ranges between 45 ° and 80 °. The steeper the slope, the more windage it has, this must be taken into account: in regions with strong winds, it is better to make flatter roofs. Then wind loads will be perceived much better.

Types of rafter systems of sloping roofs

The construction of a sloping mansard roof is one of the options for the rafter system (the most common)

For the manufacture of a broken roof frame with their own hands, they most often use pine lumber, grade - not less than 2. The choice of the section of the timber and boards depends on the size of the roof, the selected roofing (its weight), the wind and snow load in the region, the step of installing the rafters. All these parameters are taken into account in the calculation. The technique is prescribed in SNiP 2.08.01-89 and TKP 45-5.05-146-2009.

One of the options for constructing a frame with hanging rafters

Above in the figure will lead a drawing of a frame with hanging rafters. It can be realized only if the base of the upper triangle is no more than 4.5 meters (in this case, this is the width of the attic room). If more, you will have to make layered rafters, which should rest on the load-bearing wall in the middle (the attic will turn out to be divided into two parts by a row of beams).

Another version of the upper part is shown in the photo below (the picture is clickable). In this case, the side rafters are reinforced with struts. They significantly increase the rigidity of the system.

There is a second way to achieve a similar effect - to establish contractions - in the figure they are only outlined with barely visible lines. The length of the lateral rafter leg is divided into three, in these places contractions are set. They will be needed if the roofing will have a solid weight.

A variant of the device of the rafter system of a broken roof - with struts that increase the rigidity of the system

For a small building in terms of dimensions, the roof frame can be generally simple: at the top there are two hanging rafter legs, a tightening, floor beams, racks and side rafters (pictured below).

The device of the rafter system of a broken attic roof for a small house

How to calculate a sloping roof

The broken roof attic of a small house (no more than 6-7 meters wide) has been built so many times that, based on experience, we can say which materials are worth using. Many parameters are dependent on other materials. For example, the step of installing the rafters is tied to the parameters of the insulation. In order for the insulation to have as little waste as possible, installation was easier, it is necessary that the distance from one rack to another be slightly less than the width of the insulation (by 20-30 mm). So, if you are going to use mineral wool, its width is 60 cm. Then the racks must be installed so that the gap between two adjacent ones is 57-58 cm and no more.

The width of the board for the rafter leg is again determined based on the insulation. For the middle zone of Russia, the required thickness of basalt wool is 200-250 mm. That's not all. In order for the insulation to dry out, a ventilation gap of 20-30 mm is required (without it, condensation will gradually rot the wood and render the mineral wool unusable). In total, it turns out that, at a minimum, the width of the rafter leg should be 230 mm. Board thickness - at least 50 mm. This is in regions with light winds and not very heavy snowfalls. To summarize, for all rafters - ridge and side - a board of 230 * 50 mm is required.

If lumber with such characteristics turns out to be too expensive, it will be possible to make insulation in two directions: part along the rafters, part, filling the crate, across. You can lay at least 100 mm of basalt wool, therefore, you can take a standard board of 50 * 150 mm and leave 50 mm for the ventilation gap, or order a non-standard 130 * 50 mm. Look what is more profitable in terms of money.

For racks and beams, it is better to take a bar of at least 80 * 80 mm, better - 100 * 100 mm. Especially in areas with difficult weather conditions - with heavy snowfalls or strong winds.

Order a more accurate calculation from specialists. This is a long-term process, consisting of collecting loads from the roofing material, the structural elements themselves, wind and snow loads. After that, according to a certain formula, the elements are selected. For more information on how the calculation is carried out, see the next video.

Do-it-yourself mansard roof: installation procedure

The Mauerlat device on mansard roofs is no different from the standard version. If or logs, the upper crown can be used as a Mauerlat. It is only pretreated with an impregnation with high protective properties.

If the wall is made of foam blocks, a reinforced monolithic belt is arranged on top of it. On a brick wall or folded from shell rock, other similar materials, the device of such a belt is optional. Waterproofing is laid on the wall in two layers, and on top - a timber treated with an antiseptic - 150 * 150 mm or a log. It is fixed with embedded pins.

When assembling all elements, long nails are used - at least 150 mm long. In the most critical places, it is better to connect three or more elements with bolts or studs with double-sided threads. It is advisable to reinforce all joints with steel plates or corners.

The first way

The installation of the attic roof rafters is done in two ways. First: they collect the parts on the ground, then they raise them up in finished form. There, the first to expose the extreme structures, which will become gables. They are placed vertically, secured. It is often more convenient to secure them with long bars nailed to the wall (temporary). The following assembled structures are inserted into the prepared recesses in the Mauerlat (they are made with the required pitch). They are exposed strictly vertically, carefully fixed. If necessary, install additional temporary spacers that fix them in the desired position. Side beams are installed.

How to build a sloping roof in this way, to collect nodes, see the video below.


Second way

The second method - the construction of a sloping roof is carried out sequentially collecting elements right on the spot. This method is more convenient if the structure is large and when assembled it can only be lifted using special equipment (crane).

First, the floor beams are laid. Racks and puffs are attached to them, temporary spacers are placed to hold them in the vertical direction. Next, the rafter upper and side legs are assembled, puffs and jibs are installed.

During installation, the following sequence of actions is observed: first, the extreme elements are installed and set in the desired position, securely fixed. Use temporary spacers if necessary. A fishing line, rope, lace is stretched between them, which will serve as a guide for the installation of all subsequent elements. This simple move allows you to get perfect geometry (do not forget to check the slope angle, verticality or horizontalness).

On top of the racks, puffs are attached - bars, to which the side rafters are then fixed and on which the tightening of the upper triangle is installed. Puffs are fastened with metal corners. Since the beams are long, they sag. This is further eliminated - after the installation of the upper rafter legs - using vertical beams of fixed or adjustable height. And temporarily they can be propped up with racks (so as not to pull the entire system).

To make it easier to maintain the desired angle when installing the side rafter legs, templates are made according to which the cuts are made. But since the geometry of DIY buildings is rarely perfect, adjustments may be needed. To check the resulting angle of inclination, another template is knocked down from several boards, which checks the correct installation.

If the standard length of lumber - 6 meters - is not enough, or they order the required length (expensive) or build up. When building up, two boards with a size of at least 0.6 meters are nailed to the junction (30 cm on each side of the junction). They are nailed on both sides or bolts are used.

A reliable way to build rafters. The length of the "patch" - not less than 60 cm

After installing the side rafters, it remains to install the upper ones. For them, a template is also made, it is preliminarily cut on the ground, and installed at the top.

The top can be made in different ways. Its structure depends on the width of the base. How to do it, see the photo below.

Since the device of a mansard broken roof does not provide for the presence of a ridge, a bar is packed for tightening in the middle, to which the slopes are attached, fixing the triangle in the required position.

Nodes and their drawings

When installing the rafter system, questions may arise about the assembly of nodes - the intersection and connection of several structural elements. In the photo you see drawings of key connections.

The second option is to connect the side layered rafters and the upper triangle. Bolts are used for more secure fastening.

How to make a do-it-yourself fastening of the upper tegonal and rafter legs on the attic roof

The methods of attaching the rafter legs to the Mauerlat or, as in this case, to the side beam are shown in the figure below. To make it easier to mount a heavy element, a stubborn board (bar) is nailed to the rafter from below, which limits its movement: the board rests against the edge and does not allow it to fall below.

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