If you have made such a decision on how to build an attic, it will be correct. Before building an attic in an existing house, you first need to decide on its shape, and whether the roof will be completely converted into an attic floor or not.
After all, the construction of an attic is considered not only more economical, but is also a process that will require much less labor in comparison with the construction of the next floor. It is these facts that make the construction of an attic very popular. Projects of country houses with an attic, as a rule, have a special or, as builders call it, a “broken” roof, since it makes it possible to make maximum use usable area.
When deciding how to build an attic, special attention must be paid to the quality of the roof. Since it should not only have an aesthetic appearance, but also have excellent thermal insulation, and also have good waterproofing. The best thermal insulation material roof covering is either slate or ceramic tiles, but under no circumstances use metal tiles, as they tend to get very hot in the sun. In this case, how to build an attic with your own hands? On initial stage During the construction of a building, it is possible to make calculations of the load-bearing structure with maximum accuracy.
It should be taken into account that the rafters must be installed at an angle (from 30 to 60°), since an increase in the degree of inclination leads to a decrease in the usable area of the attic.
To solve the problem, you can insulate the attic from the inside using mineral wool.
A residential attic space requires a large layer of insulation. The material must meet fire safety requirements and be non-toxic. Mineral wool is one of the most suitable options.
Types of material
The main types of mineral wool are basalt wool and glass. Each has its own properties, pros and cons.
Basalt wool
Basalt wool is produced from gabbro-basalt rock. Carbonate rocks are specially added to it, which allows you to regulate the acidity module. Material with higher acidity is more resistant to moisture and more durable. Adding to basalt wool binders: bitumen, synthetic, composite, bentonite clays - holds fibers together and helps give the desired shape.
Glass wool
Glass wool is a mineral material, the production of which uses raw materials used in glass production, as well as waste and broken glass.
The properties of glass wool are different from basalt, its thickness is 3–15 microns, and its length is several times greater than basalt. Therefore, glass wool slabs are more elastic, have greater strength, and are resistant to vibrations. Glass wool is fire resistant and can withstand temperatures up to 450 °C.
Despite all the advantages of glass wool, there is one significant drawback that reduces the popularity of its use. When laying this material, many small particles are formed that are harmful to health. Therefore, installation is carried out in special clothing, shoes, and a protective mask. You won’t be able to clean them after work; you’ll have to throw them away.
Nuances of isolation
When insulating a roof, it is better to use cellulose wool; it provides better moisture conductivity and does not allow moist air to accumulate under the roof.
The main difficulties of insulation appear when working on the slopes of a roof that has a truss structure.
Here it is necessary to use dense wool, which can be securely placed between the rafters. It should be light and elastic.
The main advantages of mineral wool remain its non-flammability, soundproofness, good thermal insulation properties, vapor permeability, high environmental friendliness, relatively affordable price. It is produced in slabs, mats, cylinders, and there are options coated with foil.
If the size of the insulation is larger than the distance between the rafters, it is cut into the necessary pieces, adding a few centimeters for a tight fit.
This method is well suited for insulating attics and living spaces located directly under the roof. The disadvantage is the reduction in internal dimensions due to a layer of wool, plasterboard and additional finishing.
Thermal insulation methods
Depending on which structural element of the building is insulated, there are 2 ways to insulate the roof from the inside.
Thermal insulation of the floor
The first option is to insulate the floor. The method is inexpensive and very easy to implement. Consists of laying cotton wool on concrete plates grounds or, in the case wooden floor, between structural elements. Any type of mineral wool will do, even soft and granular. Installation is simple, there is no need to go around the rafters, as when insulating roof slopes, you can easily fill all the gaps and cracks.
Thermal protection of stingrays
The second option is to insulate the roof slopes. If the room in the attic is not used, then this option is not economically viable. The consumption of materials increases significantly; more time is required due to bypassing the rafters and additional fastening of mineral wool.
Insulation of slopes can be done in two ways: on top of open rafters or between them. With the first option, wooden beams remain visible indoors and have an additional decorative function.
Sequence of work
Regardless of which method of mineral wool insulation is used, the general algorithm of actions is as follows: surface preparation, waterproofing, installation of insulation, laying a vapor barrier, sheathing.
Preparatory activities
Before starting work on thermal insulation, the surface to be insulated must be prepared. The structure is inspected, if necessary, identified defects are eliminated, and cleaned of dirt and debris. TO preparatory work This also includes calculating the amount of material.
The thickness of the insulating layer should be at least 15–20 cm, so if you choose wool of a smaller thickness, it will need to be laid in two layers.
Waterproofing
To protect the roof from moisture, waterproofing is installed on the insulated surface. It is laid overlapping, secured with a stapler and gluing the joints with tape.
Important to install waterproofing membrane so that there is a ventilation gap between it and the insulation, and the material completely covers the entire rafter system and extends slightly onto the walls.
Then, over the insulation, a batten of battens is nailed to the rafters, which will secure the material and provide a ventilation gap. It is better to treat all wooden structural elements with a special antiseptic.
Laying insulation
After installing the waterproofing, you can begin installing the insulation. To do this, mineral wool is cut into pieces approximately 5 cm wider than the distance between the rafter beams. Then, after installation, the material will straighten out and better fill the space. Installation of mineral wool should be carried out in such a way that the material fits as tightly as possible to the beams and there are no gaps left.
Arrangement of vapor barrier
After laying the insulation, it is necessary to protect it from water vapor coming from inside the room. If this is not done, mineral wool will gradually get wet and lose its thermal insulation properties. Therefore, a vapor barrier is installed on top of the insulation. Special foil materials are used as a vapor barrier, polyethylene films or roofing felt.
To ensure tightness, the vapor barrier is laid with overlapping layers, and the seams are taped. It is important to install foil vapor barriers with the metallized side inside the attic. The structure is fixed with wooden slats, onto which the sheathing (lining or drywall) is subsequently attached.
Roof insulation with mineral wool is one of the most available ways arrangement of a warm and cozy attic. The main thing is to strictly follow the technology. And then everything will work out.
Try to pay attention to insulating the attic roof Special attention. If the roof is not insulated, do not expect heat in the attic. A roof is a roofing covering. The mansard roof is " roofing pie", consisting of several layers: a vapor barrier layer on the inside, a waterproofing layer on the outside, insulation between them and an air gap.
Various materials are used as insulation. The characteristics of the materials used depend on several factors: the functional purpose of the room, humidity level, critical temperatures, loads, and so on. Non-flammable basalt materials are the best option.
Various materials are used as insulation for the attic from the inside. The most popular and simplest is mineral wool.
Polystyrene foam is not recommended. It's flammable. Has poor vapor conductivity. Mineral wool is perfect. It is pressed into a slab. On the inside there is a vapor barrier layer. On the outside there is waterproofing (special layer).
Nowadays, the use of sprayed polyurethane foam to insulate the attic from the inside has become quite popular. This method is also quite economical and very effective.
If an attic is made from an old attic, then, as a rule, the rafters are retained. The load is minimized by using low-density insulation materials, since they are much lighter. The disadvantage is that they are blown by the wind. Additionally, windproof, vapor-permeable material is laid.
Approach the installation of insulation with due care. Make sure there is sufficient ventilation space between roofing covering and an insulating layer.
The attic is warm in winter and cool in summer only when all the work on insulating the walls and roof is done correctly. Do not ignore these rules and your budget will have a tangible effect.
The attic is a fashionable architectural element. F. Mansara (French architect) three centuries ago was the first to use attic space not only for economic purposes, but also for housing.
Nowadays it is quite widely in demand in civil and industrial construction. In individual construction, the attic is experiencing a real boom. It is equipped both during the construction of a new house and during the repair of attic spaces (roofs).
The house takes on an expressive appearance, and the attic space is used functionally and efficiently. The area occupied by the attic is decent. Additional space for a nice recreation room (billiard room) or a wonderful summer bedroom. Keeping it warm and dry will make it habitable.
A well-insulated and well-made attic can become an excellent relaxation and work room.
How to properly insulate an attic from the inside? A pre-developed project is required. It will allow you to prepare well and provide for all the nuances. A competent approach to attic insulation and the mandatory use of high-quality materials will help to avoid mistakes that can play a very bad role over time.
In a private home, as a rule, there are large heat losses. Basically, this happens through the ceiling and upper floors. The processes of wetting (drying) of insulation occurring under the roof worsen its quality. Microclimate disturbances often cause cold inside the house. This arises mainly due to poor quality construction work related to the attic.
It is recommended to insulate the attic not only from the outside, but also from the inside. Insulation is a technically quite complex process. The impressive area of the attic floor, its maximum contact with external environment, the complexity of the design requires certain knowledge and skills from the one who will be involved in its insulation.
Attic structures are distinguished by the fact that they can be constructed from a variety of materials, for example, wood, metal, reinforced concrete. There are no restrictions here, you just need to ensure stability and proper insulation. Ceilings in rooms can also be very different: inclined, flat with one inclined wall, formed by two slopes converging at an acute angle. All this and much more has made the attic so popular for more than four hundred years.
The main advantages of such a roof are as follows:
1. The possibility of adding an attic, that is, using the infrastructure of an existing building. In this case, there is no need to completely disassemble the entire roof, which allows significant savings during the work. This is an additional floor that can be used for its intended purpose.
2. Living space the house is increased by reconstructing an unused attic space. This allows you to add a full second floor at relatively low cost.
3. In places with fairly dense buildings, an attic second floor is the best way out.
4. Appearance the building is improved, the structure takes on a finished, holistic appearance.
5. Attics can be built on more than just one level. If necessary and compliance with all rules and requirements, it is possible to build a two-tier attic, which will decorate any building, adding additional living space to it.
6. When constructing an attic, heat loss through the roof of the house is greatly reduced. This also results in lower heating costs during the winter months.
7. Construction of attics is possible even in a residential building without the need to move out residents. To do this, it is not necessary to use heavy construction equipment; all work is carried out directly on the roof of the building in the shortest possible time. A new floor can be erected with virtually no problems or costs.
But the construction of an attic also has its disadvantages, as with any structure. It is worth noting such disadvantages as:
1. When constructing such a room, some of the usable space is lost.
2. Sloping and sloping ceilings greatly reduce the height of the walls; ceilings in attics are usually low, not exceeding 2.4 meters.
3. In many cases, windows can only be located in the ceiling, which is not always convenient.
4. Rafter structures begin to quickly degrade due to lack of ventilation. Typically, their service life is about three times less than with a cold attic.
5. Large amounts of snow often accumulate on roof windows in winter, which reduces the level of already insufficient lighting.
Types of designs
When deciding how to make an attic, you must first decide what type of rafter system will be used. A characteristic feature of the attic structure is its broken, rather steep configurations, but we must not forget that this is not an aesthetic function, but a purely practical one. Such broken shapes provide:
· correct transfer of all loads to load-bearing walls;
· allow you to effectively protect the entire structure from atmospheric precipitation;
· impart resistance to such negative phenomena as sudden temperature changes, rainfall, snowfall, and the formation of large amounts of ice.
The simplest form of a residential attic is a triangle, the most complex is with a break. It is recommended to make all horizontal logs and vertical posts from thin wooden beams.
Among the rafter systems used for the attic floor, the most commonly used are:
1. Hanging type rafters. They rest on the walls, creating a horizontal load. If you decide to build an attic second floor using this type of rafter system, then you need to take into account the design features. To connect the beams, intermediate supports are not used here, only special ties made of metal or wood.
2. The inclined type of rafter system is recommended for small cottages in which the load-bearing wall is located in the center or there are intermediate supports. The rafters rest on the outer walls, the middle part of the structure rests on the inner wall. Such a simple system can only be used for those houses in which the distance between separate load-bearing walls is no more than six and a half meters.
3. Hanging and inclined rafters can be in the form of right triangles, which have a stop behind load-bearing wall. IN in this case There is no need to erect a mauerlat; ordinary beams are used for rafters. Struts are required, all racks cut into the floor beams, rafters are secured with anchors.
Construction stages
So how to properly assemble an attic structure? The sequence of all work should be strictly observed, which will allow you to build a strong, secure attic. It is imperative to correctly determine all loads, which only experienced designers can do.
The construction of the attic involves the following work:
1. Dismantling the old roof. In this case, it is not necessary to completely disassemble the ceiling. Unless this is provided for by the project.
2. If necessary, the floor structures are strengthened. This is done so that the second floor (attic) does not place unnecessary loads. If necessary, an additional layer of waterproofing is laid at this stage.
3. Construction of the rafter system, insulation of the attic itself.
4. Installation of windows.
5. Internal and external finishing of the building.
For the construction of an attic it is recommended to use wooden beams, which have a cross section of fifty by one hundred and fifty centimeters. In this case, the following sequence of work is observed: first, the frame of the future structure is made, after which the support beams and rafters are strengthened. After installing the stepped bevels, waterproofing work and installation of insulation are carried out. Now you can strengthen the sheathing and lay the roofing material. Finishing work is carried out last, after all the windows are installed.
The attic second floor must be insulated to ensure the safety of the structure and comfortable living conditions. For such a process to become effective, it is necessary to observe the construction of a multi-layer “pie”, which includes:
· internal finishing material on the ceiling of the attic room: moisture-resistant plywood, plasterboard, etc.;
· vapor barrier membrane;
· insulation (usually mineral wool in rolls or slabs);
· laying waterproofing;
· installation of roofing covering (tiles, corrugated sheets, etc.).
The insulation layer should be two hundred fifty to three hundred millimeters; often a special frame is made for its installation, attached perpendicular to the rafter system. When laying, it is impossible to allow gaps and cavities to remain between the insulation boards, as this will lead to significant heat losses and low thermal insulation efficiency.
The attic is not only beautiful, but also a very functional architectural element that is capable of fulfilling the numerous tasks assigned to it. This is a great place for living space. Here you can arrange a nursery, game room or a large gym.
The technology of attic construction consists of high-quality and consistent performance of the following work:
1. Development of a project for the construction of an attic floor or its conversion.
2. Dismantling of old roofing structures.
3. Strengthening the wall structures of the upper floor.
4. Installation of waterproofing and thermal insulation of ceilings.
5. Construction of the end walls of the attic room.
6. Construction of an attic roof, its insulation and finishing.
7. Installation of attic windows.
8. Arrangement of a new living space.
To work, you will need to purchase materials and tools. It is usually necessary to have wall panels (or other material) for cladding the end walls of the attic, thermal insulation materials for the walls and pitched roof, roofing materials, beams for the roof structure, finishing materials, etc.
After preparing everything that is required for construction and developing the project, you can begin the main work. First you need to make a frame for the roof. The rafters can be made from beams measuring 50x150 cm. The structure must be well secured, install slings, support blocks, erect attic walls and install rafters. Rafter structure must be installed securely and accurately. After this, stepped wall slopes and attic partitions are installed, and work on insulation and waterproofing of the attic is carried out. Next, you should build a sheathing for the attic roof, lay a heat insulator on it, strengthen it and then finish the roof with roofing material. After this, the installation of doors and windows, interior decoration and arrangement of the premises are carried out.
Attic roof
In order to understand how to make a roof in the attic correctly, knowledge about the features of such a room will not be superfluous. Leaks in the roof and other roof defects will negatively affect the entire building to a much greater extent than the same defects of a conventional attic roof. In this case, water will flow into the living room, which will most likely lead to repairs to the room.
The main feature of an attic roof is that it is exposed to moisture both from the outside and from above (snow, rain, etc.) and from below (the formation of condensation from the moisture in the air in living spaces on the lower floors). To eliminate this problem, the attic construction technology involves installing a special vapor barrier layer that prevents the penetration of moist and warm air from living rooms to the tiles.
It is also necessary to waterproof the roofing material and ensure sufficient ventilation of the roof of the attic space. As a roofing covering, you can use soft bitumen shingles or metal tiles.
Insulation and arrangement of the attic
Due to the fact that the attic is usually used as a living space, attention is paid to its thermal insulation great importance. High-quality insulation The attic roof ensures the creation of a comfortable microclimate in such a room and other rooms of the house, effective heat retention and a long service life of the entire building. There are several ways to insulate an attic. Insulation from the outside implies general insulation of the entire house.
Optimal and most effective way is additional internal insulation, which involves the use of a multilayer thermal insulation structure consisting of the following layers:
· The first layer (internal) – finishing material, for example, sheets of plasterboard, plywood and other materials that form the ceiling of the attic room
· Second layer – vapor barrier film
· The third layer is a porous thermal insulation material (mineral wool, etc.)
· The fourth layer is a waterproofing material, laid to form a small gap and allow water to easily drain out
The fifth layer is roofing (metal tiles, soft roof etc.).
Advice from the master!
In addition to insulating the attic roof, it is also necessary to insulate its walls and floor. Arranging a room in the attic includes performing such work as installing skylights, internal partitions, doors, as well as decorative finishing.
Installation of pitched roof windows – The best decision for the attic. Glazing can occupy a significant surface area of the attic, minimally 12.5%. The glass used in such windows is special: it does not break under strong pressure or impact, but crumbles into granules that do not have sharp or cutting surfaces.
Specifics attic premises allows you to arrange them in a special way, decorate them in an unusual and original way. Many designers recommend using translucent plastic partitions or partitions decorated with translucent fabrics to zone these rooms. When choosing a shade for wall decoration, it is recommended to give preference to light tones that will make the interior is light and pleasant. It is not recommended to decorate roof windows with curtains, but it is better to choose light-colored blinds.
Having learned how to build an attic yourself, arrange it, create a comfortable, cozy and unusual room, you can try to build an upper floor at home. This is a great way to make your home unique and individual, increase its usable area and equip additional living space.
You should also take into account that the attic must be at least 3 meters wide, and the height in the center of the room is at least 2.2 m. But in this case, how to build an attic that was not originally planned? Additional questions always arise, such as, for example, the arrangement of stairs. You can place the staircase in the area of the attic hatch, which will simplify construction, and a spiral staircase will also make it possible to save space. In order to prevent the wood from rotting and being damaged by pest beetles, all wooden elements of the roof must be treated with an antiseptic.
To increase fire resistance, it is necessary to impregnate with fire retardants (special wood fire retardants). Also, when deciding how to build an attic, it is necessary to take into account that the attic and the attic differ primarily in climatic conditions. The attic is a less ventilated room, which causes condensation to form on the insulation. Therefore, it is necessary to leave a space between the insulation and the roof (at least 50 mm), and another layer of vapor barrier should be laid on the inside of the insulation. When carrying out thermal insulation work, you should also not forget about insulating the walls, which are thinner in attic structures. Their thermal insulation layer must have a thickness of at least (250-300 mm). Self-construction an attic floor is possible, but for this it is necessary to carefully plan the execution of all work and thoroughly follow the existing technology.
Of course, it would be much easier not to disassemble it, but to reinforce the ceiling above the premises of the house. Beams or channels can be used as load-bearing structures.
After the ceiling has been strengthened, you need to decide on the size of the attic rooms; their height at the walls should not be less than 1.5 m, and in the middle part there should be standard height 2.5 m, or even more. After this, a guide profile (PN) is attached to the floor for drywall, and above it, the same profile is attached to the rafters. Markings are made using a plumb line, tape measure, or strong cord. Then the profile of the racks (PS) is installed in the guide profiles, the pitch of which should be 600 mm. On inclined ceiling surfaces, the metal profile can be mounted horizontally. After this, when the location of the rooms is clearly visible, several skylights can be installed on the roof so that the rooms are well illuminated with natural light. In addition, it will be necessary to make an opening in the ceiling to install a staircase to the attic. The least amount of space on the ground floor will be occupied by a single-flight staircase with goose-step steps.
After this, with outside the frame of the attic partitions can be sheathed with waterproof plasterboard, and then electrical wiring can be laid inside the frame to connect switches and sockets. Next, mineral wool slabs with a thickness of 100, or, in extreme cases, 50 mm are placed in the frame. On the inside they are closed with a vapor barrier, and attached interior lining made of waterproof plasterboard, holes are made in it for the installation of sockets and switches, and wires are brought out into them for connection. Then the ceiling and inclined surfaces are hemmed, which are also insulated with a mineral wool board.
This is the most popular type of room, since most structures are constructed in this way - an attic requires much less money for construction and is built very quickly. The rafter leg should be made of timber 150x50 mm, this is the calculation for an ordinary house 7x10 meters. With such dimensions, you won’t have to come up with anything extra - a regular rafter system of the structure will do. The angle of inclination of the leg will be from 45 to 60 degrees, it is advisable to make the angle smaller so that the parameters of the room are suitable not only for life, but also for normal rest.
The length of the rafter leg will be about 640 centimeters, while the width of the living space will be 450 centimeters and the height 230-250. Such parameters will satisfy the requirements of most builders, but if required more space, then you need to give preference to sloping roofs, but they will cost much more. Let's consider the simplest and most effective drawing of an attic under a regular gable roof.
The extension board can be exactly the same size as the leg to make construction more convenient, but the vertical supports can be reduced so as not to overpay a lot. A beam of 80x80 centimeters will be sufficient, taking into account the fact that the crossbar is laid 120x80. It is better not to skimp on the crossbar, since it serves as a supporting element, it will hold suspended ceiling, chandeliers and other decorations. It is advisable to install racks more often, as this will significantly facilitate finishing work later. Building an attic under a gable roof is simple, inexpensive, and practical.
How to make an attic with your own hands under a sloping roof
Despite the fact that the roof itself is quite expensive to manufacture and requires a little more labor for its installation, building an attic with your own hands will take much less time. You get a ready-made box for its construction; you just need to cover everything with finishing materials, insulate it, and an excellent, spacious room is already ready. A prerequisite for construction is that the width of the house must be at least 5 meters. Since for comfortable living in the attic you will need a height of 220 centimeters or more, and a width of at least 3 meters, preferably even more.
The top frame is made of 80x80 timber, the ridge rafters are 60x60 millimeters. Such small bars are the result of the fact that there are a large number of them and they are installed every 70 centimeters ( see drawing). Side rafters are fastened with brackets, beams attic floor must be at least 50x50 centimeters, preferably a little larger so that there is a margin of safety. The calculation is made for a house of 6x6 meters; as the width of the building increases, the strength of the materials will increase proportionally, since the load on the load-bearing elements will be much greater.
The cladding is made from clapboards, plywood, fiberboard or OSB boards. These are the cheapest materials, which, with proper insulation, will be in no way inferior to European building materials. You can install them on profiles, in the same way as when creating frame structures. There is no need to install heavy load-bearing structures - minimal pressure will be exerted on the walls. If it is necessary to make heavy units (for attaching a plasma panel, under an aquarium, etc.), it will be possible to install reinforcements exactly in the places where the object is attached, thus saving a large amount of money on furnishing the room.
Insulation of the room
If you initially want to make a house with good thermal insulation, so that a 400 W heater is enough to heat the attic, then you need to give preference to roofs with continuous sheathing. Let's take a closer look at how to make a truly “profitable” roof that will save you money in all subsequent years.
- Making the top of the attic. There must be a vapor barrier, since the temperature in the room and in the air chamber above the ceiling will differ by 15-20 degrees in winter, and heat will “escape” from the room. You stuff drywall onto the bottom of the tie, onto which you can then apply finishing materials (plaster, stretch film, etc.), place foil on top of the tie to isolate the steam, and insulate it with any roll insulation you like. Such a system will eliminate condensation and increase thermal efficiency by 35%.
- Before you make an attic, you need to decide what you will use to cover the roof. Perfect option– slate, roofing felt, OSB sheet and sheathing. Such a system will significantly save on home heating costs, although the installation of building materials itself is expensive. It is better to make the lathing thick so that the OSB board does not “play” on it and is perfectly flat. Next, we cover it with resin, lay thick roofing felt, it is advisable to choose the most flexible one. You can simply nail slate onto it. Some builders also use a 0.5 cm layer of insulation so that the slate fits more tightly to a solid surface and does not loosen over time. Thermal efficiency, of course, also increases significantly.
- We insulate from the inside. One of the most important aspects of home insulation is the installation of fiberboard and insulation boards. Between the rafters, the entire space (without “windows”) should be occupied by insulation, the joints of which should be glued or knocked down tightly (depending on the type of material). If funds allow, you can apply liquid polyurethane foam directly over the sheathing and the inside of the OSB. The cost of one square meter will be about 200 rubles, but it’s worth it - you will eliminate possible condensation and insulate all roof slopes without seams.
When insulating, you can use ordinary polystyrene foam - its effectiveness is low, but with a solid material thickness (up to 8-10 centimeters) it will be no worse than alternatives building mixtures. The only big disadvantage is that it is not suitable for dense insulation everywhere, and it also takes up a lot of space.
Insulation of the floor is a very important point, since a lot of heat is lost through it, especially in brick houses, where the role of the ceiling is played by a concrete slab. But even a wooden frame must be insulated between floors. To do this, simply lay the roofing material in two layers, and attach a fiberboard slab, mainly PT-100 or M-20, to it. Then you can lay the usual floor, for example, warm linoleum. With minimal heating of the room, walking around it will be very warm; it heats up even when the first floor is heated.
How to build an attic the first time or the main mistakes of beginners
When we build an attic with our own hands, the main task is strength and few people pay attention to thermal efficiency, durability, and practicality. But within a few years, or even months, these “shoals” will gradually appear, and their elimination will be very expensive. Let's consider typical mistakes newcomers.
- No anti-corrosion treatment. All materials, especially natural wood, must be treated with impregnations, special insect repellents and moisture-repellent suspensions. If this is not done, the service life of the wood will decrease many times.
- Fastening different boards of one rafter leg “by eye”, without a level, without taking into account the natural load on the roof in a snowy winter. As a result, the deflection of the rafters is ensured by 15-20%, therefore, the entire roof will “move.”
- The insulation is laid with gaps; there is no obligatory bandaging of layers. Some craftsmen initially lay a layer of insulation that is not at all suitable for our climate zone, so the thermal efficiency of the room immediately decreases significantly.
- No air cushion between top layer insulation and roof. Thus, fungi can form, as well as condensation, which will not lead to anything good.
- Use of overly “light” materials. The strength characteristics of the walls are not the primary goal, but they should not be put on the back burner. Better install OSB plate with a thickness of 15 mm or more - it is not much more expensive, but the strength qualities will be several times higher than material with a thickness of 0.5 mm.
Pay attention to environmental safety materials, purchase wood, insulation materials only from well-known suppliers, since low-quality goods can cause a lot of harm to your health. You should also not use anti-corrosion agents for external use, which contain a lot of dangerous chemicals. It is necessary to use suspensions intended for interior decoration, having hazard class 3 (not dangerous to humans). Preference should be given to well-established manufacturing companies.
There is the only real opportunity to inexpensively increase the residential square meters of a private house. This is in attic organize the attic. In this article we will talk about how to properly build an attic so that it is inexpensive. Let's look at two options: when a house with an attic is already in use, when the house is just being built. Let's consider the entire technological chain: from the selection of materials to the finishing of new premises.
Rules for organizing an attic in an old house
What is an attic? This is a room under the roof of a house. That is, there is nothing above it except the roof structure. Therefore, an attic can be organized in any attic, regardless of what type of roof it is located under. The main task is to create all the conditions for comfortable living in the attic space. That is, it should not only be beautiful and comfortable, but warm in winter and cool in summer, not to mention the presence of the necessary communication networks.
To make an attic on an old wooden or brick house, you need to think through everything carefully. Firstly, it is necessary to resolve the issue of constructing a durable floor with laying the floor base. Secondly, the issue of roof insulation. These are the two main tasks. After which you can install heating systems, water supply and sewerage systems, install air conditioning, and decorate new premises.
Attic floors
If we talk about wooden house, then the floors in it are formed by load-bearing beams made of beams on which boards are packed. Wooden flooring must be insulated. The same design is often found in brick houses. But in most cases with brick buildings, concrete floor slabs are used, which are also insulated.
How to quickly make floors in the attic along floor beams.
On the laid beams along their lower edges the so-called tile bars.
Across them laying boards tightly to each other.
Lay a waterproofing film, which will perform the functions of protecting the insulation from moist air vapors emanating from the rooms of a private house.
Between the beams on the waterproofing layer lay insulation(mineral wool or polystyrene foam boards).
On top of beams lay vapor barrier.
From top to bottom installing plank floors from tongue and groove boards. You can use plywood or OSB boards, on which they will subsequently lay flooring(laminate, linoleum, tiles, etc.).
The main task of the workman is to make the floor smooth, durable, and heat-protected.
If the roof of the house is reinforced concrete slabs, then insulation is carried out in the following order. It all depends on what kind of thermal insulation material will be used. For example, expanded clay:
overlap leveled with concrete screed small thickness (3-5 cm);
after the latter has dried, the entire area of the floor base covered with waterproofing film in the form of strips, which I overlap with each other with an offset of 10-15 cm and are covered with tape;
along the perimeter of the attic room lay the bars with a cross section of 70x70 or 100x100 mm, they are attached to concrete floor anchors;
in longitudinal or transverse direction lay down the same bars with a step of 1-1.5 m;
into the resulting cellular structure expanded clay is poured medium or small fraction;
the top of the sheathing is covered vapor barrier membrane;
on top of the thermal insulation cake on laid bars the plank floor is being filled or slab, sheet material.
If slab heat-insulating materials are used as insulation, then everything is done in exactly the same way. The only thing you need to pay attention to is to tightly press the insulation boards to the elements of the floor sheathing so that no cold bridges remain.
Roof insulation
If the roof truss system, sheathing and the roofing material itself are in good technical condition, then the issue of building an attic in the country is simplified to a minimum. What do I need to do:
first of all, all wooden elements of the roof structure are being processed at first antiseptic composition, after it dries fire retardant;
along the rafters vapor barrier film is installed so that it exactly repeats the configuration of the rafter legs, as shown in the photo below;
then between the rafters lay insulation, in the photo below this is also clearly visible, the main thing is to tightly press the material to the ends of the rafter legs;
on top of two laid materials stretch the waterproofing film;
after which the entire structure covered with slab or sheet material, for example, it can be plasterboard, plywood, chipboard, fiberboard, OSB, etc.
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Construction of an attic superstructure
So, if it is being built new house or the roof of the old one does not meet modern operating requirements, then the attic superstructure can be built, as they say, “from scratch.” What does that require. First of all, the project. You can’t just buy building materials and start construction. The attic is not a heavy structure, but this does not mean that it should be treated with less responsibility.
It is better to order the project from professionals who will take into account bearing capacity building walls, foundations and other building structures. And on the basis of this, they will create a project that will guarantee that an old or new house with an attic will serve faithfully for decades.
Installation of the attic begins with laying the Mauerlat on the walls of the house. This is a beam with a section of 150x200 or 200x200 mm. It is attached to the walls using anchors that were previously installed in the reinforcing belt. The latter is poured according to external walls private house. How this turns out in the end result is very clearly visible in the photo below.
Attic projects
The first construction operation has been completed. It is carried out regardless of what configuration of the attic was planned by the project. As mentioned above, living quarters can be organized under any roof. For example, the photo below shows an attic under a pitched roof. It would seem that this is not a very successful example, but such projects exist, which means this confirms that it is possible to live under roofs of any configuration.
And yet there is one design that is called attic. It has a broken roof, which cannot be confused with any other.
Construction of a classic mansard roof
This type of roof has two slopes, divided into two parts. The first upper part has a small angle of inclination, that is, sloping, the other lower part has a large slope, that is, steep. This is the main difficulty of constructing an attic superstructure on an old house or a new one.
This problem is solved like this:
The project should have exactly stated the place where the slope breaks.
It is in this place that it is laid from wall to wall load-bearing beam floors. There will be two of them for each break.
Along each beam vertical racks are installed, determining the useful height of the attic space. Usually this is within 2.5-3.0 m. The cross-section of the beams is at least 100x100 m, the installation step is within 1.5-2.0 m. Installation of two beams along the mauerlat between the floor beams is carried out.
Along the top edges of the beams the strapping is made from timber section 100x100 mm. The strapping is done not only around the perimeter of the installed racks, but also between them in the transverse direction. An attic frame was formed in the form of a box of racks.
In the middle of the transverse elements of the upper trim install short racks, forming the upper slopes of the roof. The longer the posts, the steeper the slopes.
Installed on racks horizontal ridge girder.
Mount rafter legs gentle slopes. Their upper edges rest against the ridge beam, and their lower edges rest against the upper frame of the building.
Form cool lower slopes of the attic. Here they also install rafters, whose upper edges rest against the upper frame of the attic structure, and the lower edges against the mauerlat.
Video description
The video shows in detail how to build a classic mansard roof:
So, the frame of the attic structure is ready. All that remains is to form the floors of the room, carry out insulation and cover the roof with roofing material. And only then move on to the final finishing work.
How to make insulated floors has already been described above. How to insulate an attic roof too. But there is one point here that makes it easier to carry out thermal insulation measures for the roof structure. The thing is that the roof is not yet covered, which means that it is better to lay the vapor barrier membrane on top of the rafter system.
This can be seen very clearly in the photo below:
across the rafters lay vapor barrier strips, which are attached to them with small nails or steel staples using a stapler;
over insulation and rafters install slats, which will perform the functions of a counter-lattice. Its task is to create a ventilated gap between the thermal insulation cake and the roofing material in order to remove moist air vapors that have leaked through the insulation;
along the counter-lattice across the rafters lay the sheathing;
carry out installation of roofing material.
The remaining operations: laying insulation and waterproofing are carried out from inside the attic.
Assembly diagram of an insulated attic roof Source valenteshop.ru
Formation of gables
This an important part mansard roof designs. In fact, the two gables are the walls of the new room. And they must meet the strict requirements of living rooms. It is in them that windows and doors are installed. The latter only if a balcony or terrace is attached to the attic.
Everything is simple with insulation. It's like in a frame house:
from the outside lay a vapor barrier membrane;
carry out external cladding sheet or panel materials: lining, plywood, OSB, etc.;
from the inside lay insulation;
cover the gables waterproofing membrane;
carry out interior lining.
In principle, the attic is ready. All that remains is to finish the interior space. There are no strict restrictions here. The attic is a residential space, so any design projects and finishing materials are used. In this case, you can build a horizontal ceiling, you can leave everything as it is, that is, with slopes going up. Everything is at the discretion of the customer. As one of the options - a project in modern style in the photo below.
Advantages and disadvantages of the attic
The main advantage is to get additional residential square meters for a small capital investment. The attic is a frame structure, which means it is not heavy. And if it is erected on an old house, then in most cases this does not affect the strengthening of the foundation and load-bearing walls of the building. If you think about it well external finishing of the entire building, it will not be noticeable that the superstructure was erected later than the main house.
As for the disadvantages, according to the method of construction, a classic mansard roof is more complex than a single- or gable roof. A large number of different elements are used here, which will have to be cut and adjusted to the required dimensions, which leads to the generation of a large amount of waste.
Video description
In the video, the specialist discusses the advantages and disadvantages of houses with attic superstructures:
Conclusion on the topic
So, we tried to figure out the construction of attics on an old house (with attic projects, indicating some important nuances structures). Houses with such superstructures today are growing like mushrooms after rain. They are popular, they provide an opportunity to save on construction. The main thing is a project that takes into account all construction aspects in accordance with the rules and regulations.
1.What kind of roofs can be used for attic buildings
2. Why attics are becoming popular
3. What types of mansard roofs are there?
4. What you need to know when building an attic
5. Requirements for mansard roofs
6. Possibility of using the attic floor
The final stage of any construction is the installation of the roof, and in the case of building the roof of a private house, it is important to determine not only the materials necessary for the work, but also the design and shape of the roof.
The most rational ones today are mansard roof projects, through which you can significantly save money and equip additional premises.
In this case, it becomes possible not only to make the attic look more attractive, but also to use it to increase living space. By what criteria can you understand that this is an attic floor?
Firstly, it is located on the top floor. Secondly, to create its façade, a broken or sloping roof is used either partially or completely.
Considering construction requirements, then the level of intersection of the roof with the facade should not exceed 1.5 meters from the attic floor.
If the attic roof design does not provide for this, then the room cannot be called an attic - it will remain well equipped, but still an attic.
Architects note that mansard roofs give any home a special presentability, and also help increase its practical functions.
If, when planning the attic floor, it is difficult to place the interior spaces in a conventional triangle, then choose a more suitable angle of the attic roof, for example, with broken slopes, as shown in the photo.
The main advantage of attic buildings is the possibility of using an existing foundation, that is, even with capital construction, the area land plot will remain unchanged.
In a word, this roof is an economical option for arranging additional living space, used in modern construction.
What roofs can be used for attic buildings
Depending on the type of roof you choose, you will get an attic of one shape or another, as a rule, they are triangular, broken, asymmetrical, located throughout the house or in a specific part of it.
Types of mansard roofs:
- The simplest option is to install a pitched roof.
Such a roof looks like an inclined plane attached to load-bearing walls of different heights. Such variants of mansard roofs are very rare due to the significant reduction in internal space.
- Very popular among developers are tong or gable roofs, consisting of two slopes fixed in opposite directions. This type of roofing is characterized by ease and speed of installation, as well as high structural strength.
- In the attics of small houses or dachas (see: “Attic in a dacha, advantages and disadvantages”), sloping roofs, which are a subtype of gable roof, look good (read: “What types of roofs with an attic are there”).
- Hip and half-hip roofs are considered more complex in design (they are referred to as hipped roofs).
It is noted that such projects of houses with a mansard roof are aimed at maximizing the use of usable space.
- On rounded and polygonal buildings, a domed, pyramidal or conical roof will look great.
In this case, a mansard-type roof is erected in several stages and requires maximum accuracy in calculations.
Why attics are becoming popular
The increase in demand for the construction of attic premises is due to a number of reasons, including:
- equipment of additional living space without using an additional plot;
- external attractiveness of the building;
- the possibility of increasing construction density;
- expansion of an already used house, while residents do not need to move anywhere;
- short construction period;
- A minimum budget is sufficient to install the premises.
What types of mansard roofs are there?
Among the large number of proposals, you should pay attention to the main options for the attic roof used in construction:
- A gable or sloping roof goes well with a single-level attic;
- for a single-level structure, remote consoles can be installed;
- the construction of a two-level attic can be carried out using supports of a mixed type (read also: “ Finished projects baths with an attic").
When selecting the types of mansard roofs, it is important to take into account the level of expected load on the structure as a whole.
Even if the owner of a cottage or house is engaged in the construction of the attic independently, then the creation of the project and calculations are extremely permissible loads are entrusted to specialists. As for the style of roofing design, there are a lot of options offered, varying in appearance and cost, however, initially the choice must be consistent with the operational and design requirements (see: “Mansard roofing: features and stages of construction”).
What you need to know when building an attic
Not everyone can independently draw up a project for the attic roof of a private house and carry out the installation work correctly, so it is better to immediately assign responsibility for the implementation of the planned activities to professional builders(read also: “Possible projects of attic houses”).
Before starting to create a project, you should analyze the layout of the base of the building and the structure of its roof.
If the design of an attic roof is carried out as an additional floor to a long-used house, then an assessment of the quality of its foundation and load-bearing base, as well as the level of possible load on them, is required.
One-story houses with an attic are becoming increasingly popular.
Since the attic structure must be very light, the appropriate building materials are purchased.
Attic sloping roof, detailed in the video:
Requirements for mansard roofs
All projects of attic roofs of private houses are drawn up taking into account the requirements listed below:
- Roofing materials must have a minimum weight.
Metal tiles are perfect for this, metal sheets And so on.
- For internal and external cladding work, as well as the construction of partitions, light profiles or plasterboard are used.
- Due to the large surface area in contact with the external environment, the level of heat loss in the attic is much greater than in the lower floors, so special attention should be paid to the thermal insulation of the roof. Builders, as a rule, recommend mineral wool or any modern lightweight insulation.
Additionally, vapor barrier and waterproofing are installed (read also: “Attic in a private house - stages of superstructure”).
Possibility of using the attic floor
It should be noted that roof designs with an attic can be created for any residential space, including a bedroom, office, children's playroom, gym or gym for the personal use of home owners. And when you glaze the structure in the attic, you can create your own vegetable garden or green corner (read the article: “Roofs of houses with an attic: shapes and varieties”).
Today, having an attic in the country is not only a normal activity, but also an indicator of the owner’s material well-being.
location additional floor it depends on personal preference - someone will take up all the free space, and one will be enough to do only part of it. But in addition to the heavy lifting part of the imagination, you need to know how to build a loft, taking into account all the nuances of a particular room. Accurate planning and right choice building materials - ensuring a satisfactory result and comfortable placement of housing.
MANSARD DESIGN
When constructing an attic space in a wooden house, the following must be taken into account:
- The surface area depends on the angle of the roof.
The greater the slope, the larger area surfaces.
- Roof shape. The best option is a slippery roof, which helps to rationalize space.
- Characteristics of the design of future spaces and the structure of the entire building.
Particular attention should be paid to auxiliary elements.
- Load it up on the roof. Where necessary, rafters are installed to increase the strength of the structure.
- Arrangement of communication system elements in accordance with fire safety requirements.
- The need to install windows.
The distance from the ground to the middle of the window is no more than 200 cm. Optimal lighting is achieved if the window size is one tenth of the floor area.
For maximum correct calculation Load-bearing elements of the attic structure should be carried out at the stage of preparation of the new building. The building layout includes beams, supports, posts, rafters and wall reinforcement. In this case maximum height the superstructure must be 2.2 m and its width is at least 3 m.
Additionally, you should carefully consider where the stairs and windows will be.
WOOD MACHINERY PRODUCTION
The optimal solution for choosing materials for an additional floor frame is wood. In addition to the aesthetic appearance, wooden walls have low conductivity, which helps maintain heat in the room. The environmentally friendly frame “breathes” and absorbs decomposition products of oxygen and other chemical compounds.
With clear correspondence step by step guide building a wooden loft with your own hands can be quite quick. The main thing is to determine the consumption of building materials and clearly plan the desired design.
Attic renovation
After removing the walls to the desired height and creating the floor, you can proceed with upgrading the additional floor.
First, the attic wall is built, if it was included in the layout. In this case, a material similar to that from which wall walls are made is used. Wooden wall covered with a bond, according to which another layer of liner is used to protect against the negative effects of the external environment.
Half-walls allow you to install a table whose height is higher than human height, ensuring free movement throughout the room. The choice depends on the purpose of the attic, the construction of the building itself and other details of the layout.
Fixing walls and installing Mauerlat
If the height of the attic wall is more than 0.7 m, in order to avoid cracks, it is necessary to increase the strength of the structure.
For this purpose, reinforcement or gluing of the walls to which the Mauerlat is attached is performed. The binders are reinforcing bars intercepted with special clips. It strengthens the entire volume of walls, the thickness of which determines the distance between the reinforcement.
Attention: no welding - connection is made only with clamps!
To make the blank under the bundle, we use U-shaped blocks in which the skeleton will be laid.
In addition, hairs at a distance of 1.2 cm are installed at a distance of 1 m for subsequent installation of Mauerlate. The frame is then sprayed with concrete after it is fully hardened, which can be continued during the construction of window gutters.
Mauerlat falls onto the armada and is tightly tied to the wall.
If you want to do this, you will need 1.5cm bars. If you don't have the length you need, you can connect multiple short links using an anchor.
Before installing Mauerlets, the humidity of the armadies was ensured in advance roofing felt. The rods are drilled holes that are positioned so that the anchors can easily fit into the grooves.
Do-it-yourself attic - additional space for your home
The screws must then be firmly screwed in and the formed structure must be left for a few days before being screwed down.
ATTIC INSULATION
Regardless of the purpose of the lower attic, the space must be insulated due to significant heat loss through the roof. In addition, due to thermal insulation, the risk of rotting of wooden upgrades and molds is reduced.
Mineral wool or polystyrene is used as a heater.
The use of any material has its advantages and disadvantages.
As practice shows, optimal design material for internal thermal insulation of basalt wool.
Ceiling insulation from the inside
Before installing thermal insulation on the ceiling, all small cracks must be removed, after which you can continue with waterproofing.
To do this, a waterproofing film is attached to the rails to protect the surface from moisture penetration.
If you want, you can place the box as close as possible between it and the rafters basalt slabs. Depending on the thickness of the thermal insulation material, they are laid in one or several layers.
To prevent moisture penetration, it is recommended to install a vapor barrier suitable for parchment or polyethylene foil. Attach the vapor barrier to the rafters with studs or polymer adhesives.
It insulates plasterboard, beam or plywood ceilings.
Heating of floors and floors
To insulate an attic floor, you must first apply a layer of vapor barrier, then heat the space between the joists and trim the wood planks.
The walls of an attic room should only be insulated if they are not formed on the slopes of the roof. Before insulating the wall, it is necessary to level the surface and remove all laces.
The procedure for laying thermal insulation material is the same as on the ceiling, the obligation is the presence of only a container.
MANSARD VENTILATION
Appropriate ventilation device — prerequisite for reliable attic heating.
Air circulation is necessary to prevent burning of wooden shears and corrosion of reinforced elements.
Poor ventilation also leads to wetting of the insulation and deterioration of heat transfer. To avoid adverse effects on roofs, it is necessary to install a ventilation gap.
And from the inside of the roof pie, you must allow free air movement.
The holes for its exit are made in the area of the roof ridge, and in case of absence, it is advisable to install a special special ventilation element on the ramps.
INTERIOR STRUCTURES ATTIC
The completion of the attic depends on the personal wishes of the owner and the purpose of its location.
Elements of attic decor are no different from the design of any other room.
Here are used ceiling ceilings, wall cladding, bamboo fabric or plasterboard. You can create a very comfortable environment by going around or painting the walls in one or more tones. Important factors when choosing a design include the size and configuration of the attic, lighting, location of windows and doors, and availability of materials.
Characteristics of attic construction
Step by step - production stages
How to build an attic with your own hands
The final phase of mansard roof construction
The presence of an auxiliary roof can significantly increase the usable area of privately owned apartments. To save money, many owners are considering building a DIY loft.
According to experts, this is quite possible if you study the relevant information.
Characteristics of attic construction
One of the best options is to tear down the attic.
It is spacious and, after proper refinement, will become a complete living space. When such a roof is installed without an accurate calculation, it cannot do this.
It should be noted that when designing an attic with roofing, the recommendations of SNiP should be taken into account.
It is necessary to take into account several shades of this part:
- If the building is built on a field where a mild climate prevails with frequent windy weather and very little snow, the roof may be sloped at a slight angle.
- If there are snowfalls and heavy downpours in your area of residence, flat roof should be relaxed.
- It is absolutely necessary to equip with high-quality acoustic, hydro- and thermal insulation, since the attic should be the same living room as the other rooms in the house.
- The best roofing material for the construction of a mansard-type roof is considered to be slate or tiles.
Some owners install metal caps incorrectly, but when cold weather sets in, they have trouble keeping their attic space warm. Building materials should be selected with fire-resistant and moisture-resistant properties, since the roof always consists of wooden elements. For their better preservation such surfaces are treated with antifungal agents.
- If you build an external staircase with your own hands while building a roof, you can save usable space in your home.
An internal staircase will be more comfortable for residents, but it will take up a lot of square meters. There is another option - the placement of a ceiling ladder, which practically does not cover the space. As for the propeller design, its comfort is questionable.
Step by step - production stages
When the attic is raised with your own hands, the production stages will be:
- Wooden beams with a size of 10x10 cm are installed in the waterproofing.
How to make an attic
In this case, the best waterproofing material is roofing felt or only in rolls, which makes it convenient even in the absence of the appropriate skills. If the ceiling in the house is wooden, then there is no need to place additional beams under the main beams.
- Below is the installation of stands on bearings with same size cross section.
These shelves serve as a kind of enclosure for the attic walls. They should be installed at a distance of no more than two meters. To provide quality work At this stage, hand drawings of the attic roof will be made.
If you do not have the necessary knowledge, you can contact the experts.
- Each stand must be completely accurate and use lugs and clamps to secure them. The installation accuracy must be checked according to the level and, if necessary, place these elements in a specific location. Once the rack is installed, they are aligned on both sides. Sheets of simple plywood or dry walls are used on the inside, and panels are made on the outside.
It is important to install the heater between the posts.
- In addition, a top beam with the same cross section. He can somehow strengthen it. When building a mansard roof, the main thing is that the beams are firmly and firmly installed.
- At this stage, the Mauerlat installation, which is the support for the rear leg, is located at the bottom of the structure.
Thanks to this element, the roof ramp is fixed to the walls. For Mauerlat you need a stick or plate that has a part of 40x40 centimeters. Place waterproofing underneath to prevent rotting.
- If the Mauerlatt is well located, it will protect the roof of the house from the effects of wind, in winter from snow and other loads.
For thorough fixation, use wire with a cross-section of 5 millimeters, preferably annealed, which is designed for gluing. If you want power to stand, the wire is built directly into them.
- At the next stage, in accordance with the technology for installing attic roofs of private houses, it is necessary to install rafting feet. Firstly, the mark on the Mauerlat frame and the raft are marked in the rafting areas. Typically the installation step is 100-120 centimeters.
The scissors are made of completely flat plates with a cross section of 4-5 inches and a width of 15 centimeters.
- Rafting legs must rest on an essential element of the building - the crest of the shaft. This is not necessary if the rafter length does not exceed 8 meters.
They are then treated with normal stretching.
- Installation of fillets is carried out in the same way as with rafters. To make things easier, it starts with two extreme elements.
Pull the cord between them and point to it when you install the next filler. Once installed, they are attached to the floor slab, which serves as a barrier to wind and precipitation.
- Before creating a mansard roof, you must determine the location of the windows when drawing the drawings.
The window opening must be at least 12-13% of the surface of the side walls. Where you install windows, it is necessary to strengthen the rafts. To do this, place strips that will become the top and bottom of the window in which the frame is mounted and attached.
How to build an attic with your own hands
Then make sure all previous work has been completed correctly.
Using a level, you need to check all the dimensions of the tiles and beams from the roof cufflinks that make up your own hands. It is also necessary to ensure that the structural elements are rigid and securely fastened to ensure that the insulation is everywhere. Minor deficiencies may need to be addressed.
You may want to contact an experienced builder to assess the quality of work on your home's attic, as the roof needs to be strong, secure and durable.
If everything is set up well in the attic, and the structure is not in danger, you can proceed to the following stages of construction:
- Once the roof skeleton is complete, the box rails are further attached to the rafters.
The step of their installation depends on the roofing material chosen to cover the roof.
- After installing the rail, a hiberbarrier is applied to it. The most commonly used are ordinary polyethylene films for this purpose. This is inexpensive and at the same time protects the quality of the attic against moisture penetration. Secure it with construction clamps. The film should cover from bottom to top.
- Thermal insulation material is installed on top of the film layer.
One of the best insulations is mineral wool. This material is lightweight, safe for health, and retains heat well. In addition, minvat does not allow the spread of rodents in the house.
- In the place where the roof is located, the installation is carried out in a similar way to the installation of polyethylene foil.
The roof material is laid in the same way that it loads the elements towards each other. It must be ensured that in areas where the roof is damaged, the tops of the roof roofs protrude above the bottom.
This point is very important because incorrect installation culminates in the fact that even with a little rain, the attic roof will begin to leak and that the wooden structure will gradually become useless.
- Install the skates so that after construction is completed, precipitation cannot get under the roof.
The final phase of mansard roof construction
Once the main portion of the attic is complete, continue installing the doors and windows that are part of the roof structure.
The roof cake in this case is multi-layered, so noise, heat and waterproofing are guaranteed inside the attic.
If the decision on the stairs has not been made, it is better to choose the external option, which will be simpler and cheaper. Over time, you can add a staircase to a room, losing some room in the house.
You should pay attention to reverse work if there is a living room in the attic.
However, for those who have ever renovated their homes, this type of work will not be difficult.
Even if you decide to invite a team of experienced builders, information on how to build a roof will not be superfluous.
This will allow you to control the work on the construction of the attic on the roof.
Each owner uses the space under the roof differently, depending on their goals. Some people set up a bedroom here, others - a spacious living room, others - a hall intended for playing table tennis or billiards. Some owners have quite successfully equipped a children's room in this area. And some are sure that the best option for this space is winter Garden. How many people, so many decisions. But everyone comes to the same conclusion: the view that opens from the windows of the top floor is definitely amazing.
Insulation installation diagram.
Who was the first to use the attic for residential purposes?
The load on the “attic” floor, compared to the floors below, is too small, so there is a minimum number of load-bearing structures here. This helps create the most spacious, even “airy” rooms. - this is a residential premises located in attic space. It received this name after the name of the French architect F. Mansart. It was he who first began to use the attic for residential and commercial purposes.
Attic insulation
In order for the attic to turn into an attic, you will need to perform a certain set of fairly simple work. First, you need to consider the important question of how to make sure that daylight enters the room. Before equipping the attic, the owner needs to decide whether this space will be used profitably during the cold period. If necessary warm attic, then you need to properly insulate the attic space.
We create a reliable protective screen
Since the attic, as a rule, has a fairly large total area for contact with the external environment, its heat loss, especially in the winter months, is too large and represents somewhere between 20 and 25% of the heat loss of the entire building. The goal of a true owner will be to ensure that costly energy leakage is kept to a minimum. Achieving such an effect will become quite possible provided that the most reliable protective screen is created from quality material, intended for thermal insulation.
We withstand insulation technologies
However, an equally important condition for achieving it is its application in the most precise accordance with established insulation technologies. The warm screen will also perform a life-saving function for the attic in summer period in case of possible overheating.
Consequences of poor-quality insulation
- excessively high humidity inside the attic;
- icing of overhanging roof eaves;
- freezing of window junctions;
- constant occurrence of leaks and the formation of icicles.
Thermal insulation of the attic is an extremely important and necessary construction process. In many ways, the durability and reliability of a given room depends on it, so the option of saving money spent on purchasing materials for insulation is completely inappropriate here.
Choosing the right insulation
The modern market for thermal insulation materials is rich and diverse. Attic construction will require, first of all, insulation materials with properties such as high environmental friendliness, fire safety, minimal hygroscopicity, and also very high water resistance.
Wherein important point It is mandatory to have absolutely all of the above characteristics. The absence of any of the listed qualities in a given heat-insulating material, for example, not very good water resistance or not high hygroscopicity, worsens its thermal resistance and, as a consequence, leads to a serious change not only in its dimensions, but also in a deterioration in its strength characteristics . All these shortcomings will manifest themselves in heat loss and a significant deterioration in living conditions.
What to remember when creating thermal protection for the attic?
Creating thermal protection attic, it is necessary to join the insulation boards as carefully as possible, always remembering that even the slightest gap will manifest itself and will serve as a source through which precious heat leaks out of the room. Remember that thermal insulation material is laid both under and above the rafters, and not just between them. A combined method is also possible. In this case, the slabs are mounted side by side between the rafters, as well as above (under) them in the sheathing of the attic itself.
We protect the insulation from water ingress
When installing insulation boards, there is a need to protect it from the possibility of water ingress and leaks, wind penetration and steam droplets that form inside the room. For this purpose, reliable water and wind protection, as well as vapor barrier (vapor barrier and waterproofing films, ISOROK superdiffusion membrane, etc.) are used.
We insulate attic windows
Another important point to remember when constructing a roof is the need for ventilation. Speaking about, we need to remind you that special attention should be paid to the insulation of roof windows. It is especially important to ensure that the calculated thickness of the insulation is absolutely the same along the entire contour of the window opening, otherwise freezing is quite possible in those places where there will be a lower thickness of the insulation.
We insulate the gables of the attic
We do it using insulation in layered masonry located between the outer protective decorative layer of finishing and the load-bearing wall. In order to prevent possible accumulation of moisture in the insulation, it is recommended to use a vapor barrier.
We insulate the attic walls
If, in the construction of the walls of a given room, a system called a “ventilated facade” has been used, when there is a gap of approximately 40–150 mm between the insulation and the protective and decorative cladding, then in order to provide maximum protection for such thermal insulation from heat and moisture blowing out of the gap, As a rule, a waterproof membrane is used. It is not at all necessary to insulate if the roof of this room has been insulated, starting from the top and continuing to the very bottom. We produce only after the floor has been insulated.
Thermal insulation of walls is carried out as follows: on the back side of the racks, which are the supports of the future wall, they are filled with wooden slats. It is on them that thermal insulation needs to be laid. Sheets of thermal insulation, pre-cut to the required size, are placed very tightly between the supports. On top, the entire surface of the future wall is covered with a vapor barrier and hemmed with slats in the same way as the ceiling is decorated.
Pay attention to the joints
The attic vapor barrier can ensure maximum tightness, and its joints must be taped with tape. Ceiling insulation is usually carried out by laying the following layers: vapor barrier, insulation, hydrobarrier, floor, floor covering. Such a “layer cake” will 100% prevent warm air from escaping from the rooms located below. Typically, either mineral wool or polystyrene foam is used as insulation.
We insulate the attic using mineral wool
If you decide to insulate the attic space using mineral wool, a better option would be to use mats made from mineral wool. They do not settle over time and keep their shape much better. Mineral wool needs to be laid in two layers.
We insulate the attic using polystyrene foam
Option, compared to using mineral wool, is a less desirable option. Definitely, foam retains heat well, but, in turn, it does not prevent mice from entering and appearing. However, the use of polystyrene foam is completely acceptable. It is advisable to lay the foam sheets in two layers. Therefore, it turns out that you need to purchase sheets 50 mm thick. And then they are laid between the rafters so that the joints belonging to the sheets of the first layer do not coincide with the joints of the sheets from the other layer.
