How to build an attic 2nd floor. How to build an attic roof with your own hands and not make mistakes. Required tools and materials

Nowadays, the desire to effectively use the entire area of ​​the house is quite understandable, so many immediately plan to build an attic at the stage of designing a house, or convert the attic space in a certain way, as well as remove the roof and attach the attic floor to the old house with their own hands.

In essence, an attic is an attic, the design of which is regulated by SNiP standards, which entails modifications not only to the roof, but also to changes in the thermal and waterproofing of the upper extension.

In order for a do-it-yourself attic to be reliable, warm, not to harm the load-bearing walls and foundation of the house, and to last for a long time, it is necessary to understand the specifics and know the design features of this type of superstructure. In the article we will talk about the main types of attic floors, what materials an extension can be made from, as well as the specifics and nuances phased construction do-it-yourself attics.

DIY attic floor above the garage

Main types of attics

Do-it-yourself attic construction begins with choosing the type of extension, the most suitable design for the main building, and making the project. For the superstructure, shed, gable and sloping roofs are used: hipped, domed, etc. The appearance of the attic floor is determined by the materials, design features of the building and the specifics assigned to the completion.

Depending on the specific nature of the main building, standard solutions are usually used when constructing an attic.

1.Gable; 2. Broken gable; 3.Single-level; 4.Multi-level

1. A single-level with a gable roof is an ordinary attic under a gable roof, converted and insulated into an attic. Designing and building such a room is not difficult, but the main drawback is the small interior usable space with a low ceiling.
2. A single-level roof with a sloping gable roof has four pitched planes, which are located at different angles. The construction of an attic floor of this type is somewhat more expensive and more complex to design, but the result is a large interior space.
3. A single-level attic with remote consoles presents some difficulties during design and construction. But spacious interior space and the ability to install vertical windows compensates for construction difficulties. A feature of the construction of such an attic frame is the displacement and extension of the extension beyond the sides of the house, and the attic roof is identical in appearance to a pitched one.
4. Multi-level extension with mixed roof support. This complex design attic, which requires professional calculations and design of not only the room itself, but also the stairs to the attic. As a rule, such attic floors, with multi-level rooms, are planned together with the construction of the main house, as a solid structure.

Materials

The house is built on a foundation that is specially designed to support the weight of the structure. If the attic floor is planned initially, the load is calculated and applied at the attic design stage, so the attic floor can be built from any materials: monolithic attic made of concrete, brick, foam concrete, metal structures, made of galvanized logs. But if the superstructure of the attic floor is carried out after the construction of the house, then the weight of the superstructure must be calculated in accordance with the load on the foundation and load-bearing walls. Accordingly, in order for the superstructure not to damage the house, the material must be light, for example, wooden beams, frame-panel structures, in some cases the building is made of aerated concrete, which has good heat and vapor barrier properties, and vulture panels.

Attic construction

Projects of attic floors involve the use of walls various materials, but, in essence, the attic design is pitched roofs leaning on the walls. Of course, different options for attic floor extensions have their own characteristics, but in general they consist of the following elements:

• Roof.
• Lathing from wooden boards, on which the roofing and insulating materials are attached.
• Ridge purlin is the top of the rafter structure.
• Rafters for the attic roof are stiffening ribs, layered or hanging. In the attic, layered rafters are usually made.
• Mauerlat - beams that are laid around the perimeter external walls and are connected to the walls with special fasteners. A rafter structure is attached to the Mauerlat.
• Diagonal connections (bevels) for the reliability and strength of the attic; they are used to connect rafters, longitudinal beams and vertical posts.
• Internal supports give the attic stability, if the attic area is large they support them ridge run and rafters.
• An insulating layer consisting of waterproofing, insulation, sound and vapor insulators. Provides temperature regime and moisture exchange between the main walls and roof.

The minimum distance from the floor to the highest point of the ceiling in accordance with SNiP should be 2.5 m. If the height is less, then the room is an attic.

We build an attic with our own hands, the main connecting nodes:
A – ridge knot. B – rafter+screed+stand. B – rafter + ceiling beam D – ceiling beam + rack + strut. D – rack + strut

Construction technology

The attic walls are drawn as closely as possible to the walls of the main building, so it is extremely difficult to achieve comfortable heat exchange. It is very important to choose the right materials for insulation, make ventilation, the entire structure must be erected in accordance with the drawings and calculations, and the wooden parts must be treated with a fire-fighting compound.

Do-it-yourself attic installation, how to properly attach the components

Rules for the installation of the attic floor

To make the attic last with your own hands for many years it is necessary to fulfill the conditions specified in SNiP standards:

• The rafters should be 250 mm or more; it is better to use laminated veneer lumber. This thickness is due to the possibility of laying insulation between the rafters with a thickness of at least 200 mm.
• Insulation materials should not lose their properties when high humidity, it is best to use foamed polystyrene, which has light weight and an insignificant heat transfer coefficient. Mineral wool absorbs moisture and breaks down.
• There must be adequate ventilation between the thermal insulation and the roof, with hoods and vents, so that air can circulate freely under the entire surface of the roof of the attic floor.
• It is imperative to install a vapor barrier layer inside.
• On outside a waterproofing layer is laid on the rafters; it is recommended to additionally lay a layer of sound insulation.

Step-by-step instructions on how to make an attic with your own hands

Building an attic with your own hands is fraught with some difficulties, since the elements of the superstructure are at an angle, the installation of broken slopes and dormer windows requires compliance with SNiP standards in the part “Loads and impacts”.

When making a drawing of the installation floor yourself, it is necessary to accurately calculate the loads, angles of inclination, permissible weight of the structure, and in accordance with preliminary calculations select the appropriate type of attic and materials for construction.

Do-it-yourself attic construction begins with the installation of mooring strips around the perimeter of the house, usually timber with a cross-section of 100*100 mm is used for this.

Next we build the frame for the room. The racks can be made of timber with a cross-section equal to the longitudinal beams, possibly from foam concrete or metal. We fix the vertical posts at the corners of the post structure, and then install the beams between them, with a step of no more than 2 meters, equal to the location of the attic rafters. All parts are attached to metal corners, nail plates or self-tapping screws.

We build the frame of the internal attic space; instead of vertical wooden posts there may be a wall made of foam concrete blocks or a metal frame

We tighten the jumper over the rack and secure the structure. Use a construction cord to monitor the geometry of the building.

We attach the lower rafters to the resulting frame. The beam is cut to the calculated length, a groove is made at the base for reliable fastening to the Mauerlat, the top of the beam is cut off according to the calculated angle of inclination. The installation of the lower rafters is carried out in place and securely fixed.

Do-it-yourself attic installation, photo of fastening the lower rafters, instead of vertical wooden posts there can be a wall made of foam concrete blocks or a metal frame

The next step is to install the upper rafters. The difficulty lies in maintaining the angle and centering of the structure as a whole.

Do-it-yourself frame attic, installation of the upper rafter structure

Construction of an attic, construction of sheathing for roofing material

The next step is creating an insulating layer. It is recommended to use non-toxic and non-flammable materials, this is especially true if a nursery or bedroom will be located on the attic floor. We lay a vapor barrier on the inside of the rafter frame and secure it with staples. Then a layer of insulation is installed, it is important that it fits tightly to the rafters, without gaps. We install lathing on the heat-insulating layer with a pitch of 500 mm, which will fix the insulation.

We build an attic with our own hands, installation of roofing material

We lay a waterproofing layer on the sheathing, which will protect wooden elements from moisture. The roof is laid on the waterproofing.

Do-it-yourself attic construction, video materials clearly demonstrate how to correctly install rafters in practice.

This video shows typical mistakes made when installing an attic floor.

Features of adding an attic with your own hands to an old house

If you plan to complete the attic in an old private house or country house to create additional living space, then in this case The issue of dismantling the roof is relevant. You can dismantle it yourself; be sure to follow safety precautions so that the beams do not fall on your head.

The construction of an attic involves certain loads on the foundation and walls of the building. It is especially important to correctly distribute the loads on the walls, so before building the attic, load-bearing wall structures carefully strengthened.

The ceiling of an old house is both the ceiling of the adjacent floor and the floor of the attic, so it is necessary to take into account the movement of warm and humid flows so that condensation does not form in the ceiling, and as a result, rot and fungi. To avoid problems, you need high-quality insulation and waterproofing of the floor.

After completing the preparatory procedures, you can begin to join and construct the attic floor. During completion, it is important to strictly adhere to design scheme construction of attic walls and roofs. Violation of the project entails not only deviations from the design of the attic floor, but also incorrect distribution of the load on load-bearing structures can lead to the destruction of the walls and foundation of the house.

The simplest and reliable way increase useful living space in an old house it’s a do-it-yourself attic. A video on how to build an attic floor in a frame house will help you avoid global mistakes and tell you the nuances of how best to build an attic with your own hands. Work carried out in accordance with the attic floor construction technology guarantees reliability and safe operation extensions.

It is not uncommon for a situation when, for one reason or another, a house that until recently seemed quite comfortable becomes cramped, or the dacha needs to be turned into permanent residence, simultaneously increasing the area. Also, often the need for major reconstruction and expansion arises when purchasing a house with “experience”. You can get an increase in square footage in two ways - by adding a room or building on it. For many, adding a residential attic floor is a more preferable option, since there is no need to additionally fill the foundation, and there is not always enough space on the site for an extension. And among portal craftsmen, the addition of an attic floor is quite popular, and in this article they share the experience gained with those who are just deciding what to do and what to do.

• What is an attic in a house?
• Features of the construction of the attic floor during reconstruction.
• Experience of portal participants.

What is an attic at home?

By definition, an attic is understood as a residential or non-residential premises in attic space. However, in practice, only cold attics remain non-residential, and the attic is residential ( all year round or seasonally) space under an insulated roof of a special configuration. Unlike a full second floor, part of the walls in the attic is formed by roof slopes, which somewhat limits its functionality. Attic floors have always been popular, they have not lost it to this day and are unlikely to lose it in the future.

Modern technologies make it possible to organize premises for any purpose in attics, as well as in full second floors - these can be bedrooms, offices, children's or guest rooms. Today it is not a problem to place a full bathroom in the attic if necessary, not to mention a bathroom with a shower. Kitchens in attic rooms are a rather rare phenomenon; they mainly appear in cases where two families live and have a separate entrance from the street.

Perhaps the main condition for a comfortable existence under a roof is a height of 2.5 meters at the central point.

The permissible minimum for an attic floor according to sanitary standards is 2.3 meters, although in practice other sizes are also found.

Features of the attic superstructure

Whether to build an attic is decided based on two factors:

• availability technical feasibility;
• expediency.

The main question is whether the walls of an old house will withstand the weight of the proposed structure, even if we are talking about the lightest one, frame version. Therefore, the first step is to draw up a plan and make an approximate calculation of the bearing capacity of the walls and foundation. It is not so much the type of wall material that will play a role here, but rather the condition of the walls. Other log houses with half a century of history are much stronger than those of “youthful” stone buildings.

The feasibility of such a global reconstruction depends on the dimensions of the house - if it is too compact, then residential attic Taking into account the design features, it will turn out to be tiny. If the width of the house is less than five meters, then it is pointless to build on a structure such as an attic floor. However, despite all the restrictions, sometimes a small interesting attic room It’s better than nothing, the main thing is that the walls can hold up and your wallet can handle it.

But even if the walls are strong, the multiply increased load must be evenly distributed, for which an armored belt is poured around the perimeter of the stone base.

When pouring the armored belt, fasteners for the Mauerlat (studs) are immediately placed into it, which will firmly fix the entire structure in place.

Without sufficient insulation, it is impossible to build an attic even for seasonal stay, since without insulation in the summer there will be a steam room in the attic. The attic in a residential building is insulated along the entire perimeter to form a closed loop - ceilings, inclined and vertical walls, pediments. Today, insulation can be anything from typical slabs, rolls and mats to blow-in, fill-in and spray-on. However, regardless of the variety, its thickness must be sufficient to ensure standard coefficient thermal resistance of the wall (tabular data by region).

If we are talking about mineral slab heat insulators, which are used most often, then for most regions 150-200 mm is sufficient. It is more efficient to lay this thickness in several layers with overlapping seams to minimize heat leakage. Since the attic is a heated room, great value is given to the construction of a vapor barrier so that warm air did not provoke condensation in the insulation or roofing pie.

To freely remove moisture, which, despite all the barriers, will accumulate between the insulation and the roofing of the attic floor, a ventilation gap of at least 5 cm is required, and ideally a ridge aerator.

The simplest option is a vertical window installed in the gables, but for proper lighting, special ones are also needed. skylights, mounted directly into the roof.

The number of windows is calculated based on the permissible minimum - for every 10 m² of area 1 m² of glass.

If the plans include skylights, then during assembly rafter system It is worth calculating the pitch of the rafters according to their dimensions, taking into account the seam.

In most cases, frame and timber attics are built on, since they are lighter, cheaper, and the construction process is faster. Considering that the house is residential, the sooner it is under the roof again after dismantling the old one, the better. If they choose a more capital, stone option, then they give preference to lightweight materials (gas block, foam block, expanded clay concrete).

Experience of portal participants

Major reconstruction of the house of one of our craftsmen with the nickname Soboleff was subjected twice - first from summer cottage it was turned into permanent residence, and then an attic space was added. Comment from our user:

Soboleff

The long-awaited warmth has arrived, and with it the beginning of the realization of a long-standing dream - replacement old roof to the attic. All winter we were busy with calculations, drawing a plan, designing in “ketchup”, saving money. I think this report will be of interest to those who have a house that is not very large in size, quite old and built from what was there. In my case it's my ex summer kitchen, 30 years ago converted into a residential building with an area of ​​about 60 m².

The development of amenities and active changes in the layout in order to increase the level of comfort have been carried out over the past few years.

The walls made of sand-lime brick were built somehow, the foundation also touched the technology sideways, so the craftsman decided not to take risks and make a frame superstructure. The height of the building walls is 1200 mm, from the finished floor to the ridge – 3500 mm, gable roof with a corresponding pie, metal tiles as a roofing covering. According to the layout, on the attic floor there are a couple of children's rooms of 16 square meters each, a common corridor, a bathroom above the existing ground floor and a low storage room.

Attic floor, layout.

Dismantling revealed sagging, rotten beams and the deplorable state of the masonry in the upper rows; not only these rows were replaced, but also the wooden beams above window openings to the corner.

The perimeter lined with brick was filled with sheathing, reinforcement was laid, pins were inserted to secure the mauerlat, and an armored belt was poured.

In the second place they took out internal partitions to the level of the external walls, laid the floor beams, hemmed the subfloor and began assembling the frame. All wooden materials were pre-treated with fire protection.

The role of the jibs to impart rigidity is assigned to the slab sheathing - OSB 3, all joints of the slabs and the frame were foamed. The thickness of the stone wool insulation on the ceiling is 200 mm, on the walls - 150 mm, plus another 50 mm further along the perimeter of the entire facade.

For ventilation, a “cold triangle” was left at the very top. The craftsman applied four overlapping layers of insulation along this flat area of ​​the ceiling. A roofing “pie” according to all the rules – with waterproofing, wind protection and counter-lattice.

A counter-lattice made of 50 mm timber with a pitch under the insulation sheet was also placed on the outside walls of the attic room, the slabs were laid, and the contour was covered with a wind barrier. The slabs were fixed to the house using hangers and plastic disc dowels. On top of the wind protection is a galvanized profile 60x27 mm, creating a ventilation gap and a subsystem for siding.

Creating an attic – popular type premises – with your own hands today it is not difficult. Let's look at all the stages of construction, as well as the pros and cons of this design.

Peculiarities

Home is a place where we would like to surround ourselves with comfort, have the opportunity to relax with our family and work. Sometimes this becomes impossible due to a lack of square meters. How to make your home spacious and comfortable? Construction technologies have stepped far forward - resources have appeared that allow you to expand the occupied space with your own hands through extensions. But if there is not enough land, then the attic would be the most successful option!

Currently, this is a fashionable design for private homes. Back in the 17th century, the attic was conceived as a way to expand housing for the poor. And thanks to the French architect Mansard, converting roofs into residential apartments has become very popular among the rich. This, by the way, is where the name came from - attic.

Many people ask the question: “Attic or additional floor?” It’s worth clarifying right away that these are two different things. Before choosing one or another option, weigh all the pros and cons, pros and cons, consider the purpose of your home (dacha or permanent place accommodation), your marital status, and budget. It will be much more economical to build an attic than a full second floor.

In this article we will tell you how to significantly transform usable area at minimum investment. And with the fulfillment of all necessary measures you can cope on your own.

Installation and arrangement of an attic, the facade of which is completely or partially formed by the surface of a sloping roof, is a vast scope for imagination and creativity. So much space shouldn't be wasted! This would be a great studio, office or place to store unnecessary things. But isn't it too wasteful to turn precious meters of space into a warehouse?

Typically, attic spaces are provided for children who like to be located at high levels, and besides, low beams often cause some inconvenience for adults. This is the very last floor, and the higher, the better the view, without a doubt. The presence of pipes, proximity to the roof, remote balcony, flat ceiling - all this will become a stylish aid for creating an architectural design.

An objective assessment of the specifics and knowledge of the constructive qualities of this type of superstructure give a chance that everything will work out as well as possible, no damage will be caused to the load-bearing walls and foundation of the house, and the home will last a long time. Believe me, the attic is very useful thing!

The most good decision- This is a frame attic. Before you begin designing plans for the addition, you must ensure that the floor below can support the additional load. After all, every person who comes across a building knows that the main building is placed on a supporting structure, which is calculated based on the entire mass of the structure. Therefore, at the beginning of construction it is necessary to do necessary calculations, and also check the foundation to see if there are cracks or any damage on it. If necessary, the base will need to be strengthened. At this stage, it is best to turn to professionals.

Based on how the roof is constructed, the appearance of the attic can vary. As a rule, the attic occupies the entire top floor, although sometimes there are options located on one side of the longitudinal axis of the building. It is not often that you see attics extending beyond the lower structures.

Most often, the roof is gable or sloping. More complex look The gable configuration is popular: the roof consists of two planes. But we will discuss each of them in more detail a little later. Windows, large or small, located on the ceiling, let in many times more light than ordinary windows in rooms on the lower floors.

When choosing a roofing covering, maintain harmony so as not to disturb the combination of the shape of the attic floor and the roof.

You can also immediately insulate the room with SIP panels. As a result, you will get a lightweight structure that consists of more than 50% lightweight polystyrene foam, therefore, does not create a load on the walls and ceilings.

There are several design considerations that cannot be ignored.

• take thermal insulation seriously, which should be strengthened, because it is the roof that often “suffers” from frequent and sometimes severe temperature changes;
• it is important to carry out waterproofing conscientiously so that over time the insulation does not get wet;
• Proper ventilation must be provided between the thermal insulation layer and the roof.

The parameters of the rafter structure must be determined by the further construction of thermal insulation, which is placed between the timber rafters and has a thickness of at least 20 cm. The rafters must be at least 25 by 25 cm.

The main indicators of wood that are important for the design of the system are resistance to bending and compression, the required density and humidity.

Wooden rafters, in turn, require treatment with antiseptics or fire-bioprotective structures and must have fire resistance limits.

Designers advise leaving the attic space intact. However, if there is a need to separate rooms, then it is better to build partitions using plasterboard.

Let's also consider the disadvantages of this type of adjustment:

• due to the sloping roof, unlike a regular floor, the size of the attic area will be smaller;
• the height must be optimal, otherwise there will be problems with closing/opening doors;
• psychological factor: sometimes it seems to people that there is not enough air, every time they want to bend down, a person may feel discomfort;
• regardless of the type of roof covering and even correct installation soundproofing, sounds from rain will penetrate into the room;
• it is important to properly think through the heating system;
• the stairs leading to the attic may be too steep and therefore unsafe.

Design options and materials

Using expert advice, carefully develop future project attic space. After this, prepare the design of the attic, since it is not just a certain number of square meters, but the individuality of the facade - the pride of the building. It depends on the coating methods and roofing materials appearance and interior.

There are several types of roofing.

Single-pitch

The simplest option, which is a sloping area fixed to load-bearing walls. Advantages: simplicity of calculations and installation work, due to its low weight, it is suitable for buildings on simplified foundations. Disadvantages: not the most attractive appearance, sensitivity to loads (snow).

Gable

One of the most common options. This structure consists of two opposite slopes, resting on the walls of the building that serve as support and connecting at the top with a ridge. Material investments in a gable roof are quite small, while it looks aesthetically attractive. The structure of a gable roof includes: rafters, sheathing, inclined planes, Mauerlat, horizontal ribs, ridge, valleys, overhangs.

Broken

The broken roof structure is a subtype of the gable roof, but with a more complex configuration. Because of the shape and the presence of broken lines, this name came about. Such a roof gives the house solidity and solidity.

Hip or hip

One of the strongest and most resistant to strong wind and leaks during precipitation of roofing systems, where instead of gables, two triangular slopes are installed. Complex installation is a disadvantage of this design: it requires precision when calculating the rafter system and installing the frame. For this reason, design is usually left to professionals.

Multi-forceps

Among all the structures, the most complex, but at the same time the most interesting, is considered to be the multi-pincer one. It is characterized by the presence of several pediments (3 or more). A big plus is the ability to cover several rooms with one level. But in general, this type of attic works mainly on architectural style and design.

The attic part is divided into two types. It could be:

• single-level- enough practical option in execution, which does not require complex development and serious calculations;
• two-level- This is a complex building to construct, the design of which is created immediately together with the house.

Current construction technologies allow you to make different types of balconies in the attic. To choose the right design, you should consider the design features of the lower floor. And it doesn’t matter whether the balcony was included in the plan in advance, it can be done at the end of all stages of construction.

Most good option location - from the end. In this case, the balcony will resemble a loggia. It is erected together with the attic, which allows you to use part of the roof as a canopy, and the ceiling of the floor as a floor.

Another type of construction is the option when the balcony is located in the roof part. At the stage of covering the roof, part of the building is left without covering so that a balcony can be arranged there.

Drawings and calculations

The main parameter when planning an attic floor is the ceiling level, optimal height which should be at least 2.5 m. Make a drawing before actual construction, evaluate everything and indicate accurate calculations so that everything can be built accurately. The most ideal option is a sloping gable roof, but then as many load-bearing supports as possible should be installed for sufficient reliability, since this type of roof increases the pressure on the walls.

Don’t forget to include the ventilation system, as well as windows and pipes in your calculations. stove heating, if any are expected.

The height of the superstructure itself has no limit, but the lower ends must be at least 90 cm.

The plan must contain all the information about the shape features, geometric dimensions and slope angles of the slopes.

After an accurate calculation of the rafter system of the attic roof has been completed, you should purchase everything necessary materials and prepare the roof. Only after this can construction begin.

Stages of making an attic with your own hands

It is very important to choose the design and style of the interior at the initial stage, as well as decide on finishing materials. You should listen to the opinion professional designers who advise using only high-quality raw materials. We will tell you step by step about all stages of construction.

Roof

So, the first stage is the development of a new project future roof in the old premises. It doesn’t matter whether it is single-pitch, gable or broken, without a doubt, the appearance of the result will directly depend on the structural properties of the roof, as well as the raw materials used. Make a diagram from different perspectives to better understand how to place the elements of the rafter system. It is most important to accurately calculate the height of the roof ridge, because the size of the area under it depends on it.

We take the height of the ridge to be approximately 3.5 m - with the independent construction of the frame, which allows you to straighten up to your full height.

It is important to remember that in order to build a frame with your own hands, you must know about the existence of two types of rafter systems: inclined and hanging. They differ from each other in the method of attaching the units to the walls.

In houses where there is no load-bearing wall, the mechanism of hanging rafters will be used, which will be supported only on the walls of the house and connected to each other with nails or screws using corner plates. In this case, the width of a single-span building, where this type of rafters is supposed to be, cannot exceed 6 m. If the parameters of the house are larger, for example, when the span width exceeds 9 m, then it is necessary to more struts

In two-span houses, where there is only a middle supporting wall, layered rafters are made. In this case, three foundation points (two on the outer walls of the house and one on the inner) depend on the width of the building: more than 10 m - one support, and with a width of about 15 m, two supports will be needed. The rafters are attached to each other using corner pads. The sheathing itself is made of slats or boards.

Steam and thermal insulation are key stages in creating an attic. A membrane-type film is laid on top of the sheathing, which will protect against moisture penetration, and glass wool is laid on the inside for insulation.

The next stage is the installation of the roof, internal processing and design of walls and partitions, as well as installation of windows.

As we have already said above, the most successful would be to use metal tiles or corrugated sheets as a roofing material.

Floors

First, take care of sound and thermal insulation from the floor below. This task can be accomplished in several ways: backfilling expanded clay or laying mineral wool slabs. Both methods require protection from moisture with hydrofilms. Also pay attention to the wooden interfloor ceiling. Here, insulation is performed by bandaging the seams of the insulation and beams.

Choose flooring to suit your taste. It can be ceramics, parquet or laminate.

Windows

Loft windows are a fairly labor-intensive process, although worth it, so consider whether you can do it yourself. In fact, they are not particularly different from facade ones, but there is one serious difference - a special type of opening. In addition, during installation you will have to disassemble the metal tiles, while trying to maintain waterproofing. But this is not scary, because it is thanks to the windows that the room becomes much lighter and more spacious!

It is very important to know that if snow and ice are not regularly cleared, the window may be subject to temperature changes, so it is important to select models in accordance with the climate in which you live.

Heating selection

For comfortable stay and the use of the premises, you also need to take care of heating the attic. It should not only maintain and retain heat inside, but also be safe and economical.

All details must be taken into account initial stages design. We bring to your attention several methods of heating the attic floor.

• Fireplace. An effective, comfortable and completely safe way.
• If your home already has a heating system downstairs, then you only need to install additional pipes and a battery.

• Installation of an independent heating system only for the attic - the most correct solution. It is possible to install absolutely any heating boilers, while observing necessary measures security. But more comfortable - turbocharged ones gas boilers, not requiring separate room. They are wall mounted and very easy to use.
• "Warm floors". To create a comfortable indoor microclimate, you can install heated floors. This can be done either with your own hands or with the help of specialists. In any case, this is a fairly economical option.

Important point– proper arrangement of ventilation. This is the only way the attic heating will work well.

Insulation and ventilation

Since the attic has the largest area of ​​contact with the street compared to the lower floors, its insulation should be treated very carefully. Today the market offers a variety of insulating materials. However, when solving this problem regarding complete thermal insulation and vapor barrier for a home, do not forget about the main conditions, and then this will reduce not only heat loss and heating costs for the house, but also protect the ceiling and walls from dampness, rot and wetness, and the formation of ice on the roof . Selection of materials for " roofing pie» must be carried out in accordance with the requirements of SNiP.

When you choose finishing in a store, focus primarily on the characteristics of your home. For example, where it is hot in summer and frosty in winter, the insulation must be resistant to external circumstances. Therefore, one of the main conditions will be thickness. The colder it is, the denser it should be, and, conversely, if you live in the south, where in winter the temperature practically never drops below zero, you can choose a thinner material.

The most versatile and most budget-friendly is based on mineral wool; expanded polystyrene is less commonly used. Sometimes an insulation layer can be used, consisting of modern backfill agents or materials in the form of a liquid that is sprayed onto the walls and hardens into a durable form. In all these cases, the roof will be no less stable.

With the correct assembly of the “roofing cake”, the structure of which consists of metal tiles or corrugated sheets, sheathing, waterproofing membrane, rafter system, properly equipped ventilation of the under-roof space is sure to extend the life of your roof. Never play the “whether it will blow or not” lottery, but take the advice of experts on your toes.

To create a beautiful and cozy living space, you can use wood as a finishing material on the inside. various types composite panels, HPL panels (or in Russian LVD - laminate high pressure). No less popular is the attic, decorated with your own hands using plasterboard sheets (GKL).

Roof covering should be made of lightweight materials: corrugated sheets, metal tiles and similar materials that can lighten the weight of the mechanism, taking into account the load that will be transferred to the existing building.

To begin with, before remodeling the attic, you need to make drawings and draw up an estimate. This way you will see in advance what difficulties you will have to face.

It is quite difficult to develop a plan for an attic roof alone: ​​certain knowledge and skills in design and carrying out specific calculations are important here. You cannot make mistakes: then the structure of the building will be unreliable, and it can also damage common building. Although if the idea is not too complicated, then you can do it yourself.

Everything must be included in the estimate: from the start of construction to the decoration of the premises.

Partitions

One of the most simple tasks, which you can definitely handle with your own hands, is the installation of interior partitions. Typically, plasterboard and metal profiles are used for these purposes. Everything is done quite quickly and at minimal cost.

The design is simple: a frame, and plasterboard slabs are attached to it. At the end, the partition is sheathed. To do this, you can use clapboard, block house, imitation timber or even plywood with wallpaper - a matter of taste.

Finishing work

After insulating the attic, you should think about finishing. Of course, it all depends on how you will use this room. The peculiar geometry provides excellent prospects for creative solutions registration Let us immediately note that the finishing process is a complex of tasks, each of which has its own function. Let's take a closer look at finishing materials.

• The most popular material is plastic lining . Advantages: unique, budget-friendly, environmentally friendly. The installation of the board can be different: diagonally or in a circle, horizontal or vertical. Among the disadvantages, it is worth noting fragility and, perhaps, weak resistance to negative factors.

• Not the most expensive material - plywood sheet. It is quite easy to cover walls with it. It also has excellent sound and thermal insulation properties, no preliminary leveling of the surface is required before installation.
• Finishing the attic with plasterboard will allow you to implement the most original design solutions: with its help you can create suspended ceilings, arches and even columns. At the same time, this material easily absorbs moisture, which is its negative side. But if you choose a special type that is resistant to moisture, then this finish will last you a very long time.

So, let's summarize and summarize the above.

To design a beautiful and high-quality attic you will need:

• careful design of the future extension;
• strengthening load-bearing walls and foundations;
• roof removal;
• erecting a frame (it will be quite easy for you to assemble it with your own hands);
• roof insulation, waterproofing;
• window installation;
• interior finishing and insulation.

If you save too much, as practice shows, the house may end up being of poor quality and unattractive. Therefore, choose materials wisely, take into account the recommendations of experts, consult with relatives and friends, as well as with those who already have similar experience.

If you have country house, then you have probably thought more than once about turning your attic space into a cozy attic. This is an excellent alternative to building a second floor. A do-it-yourself attic will allow you to significantly expand the living space, increase the number of rooms, and change the appearance of the house. It can be used as an office, a nursery, a winter garden, a place to gather with friends... How to build an attic and make these dreams come true - read in this article.

An attic or attic floor is a room built under the roof of a house. This concept was introduced by the French architect Francois Mansart, who came up with the purpose of the attic back in the 17th century. And today, attics are actively used to expand living space and increase the comfort of the home.

Do-it-yourself attic construction: stages

In order for the attic floor to become functional, it must be built or converted. Building an attic is difficult process, requiring accurate calculations, not everyone can do this. The construction of an attic consists of the following stages:

• dismantling the old roofing system;
• strengthening wall structures;
• insulation and waterproofing of the room;
• construction of end walls;

What you need to know before making an attic with your own hands

There are general rules. It is preferable to plan the installation of an attic at the design stage of the house. This will make it possible to correctly calculate its load-bearing structures and properly organize construction. If a house with an attic is built according to a ready-made drawing, it provides for the use of additional fortifications.

Scheme of the roof of the attic floor, construction of a house made of timber

But also on finished house an extension can be built mansard type. In what case can an attic floor be completed?

If you plan to build this room in a finished house, you need to take into account several important factors. Construction of an attic requires not only adherence to a certain technology for performing the work, but also an assessment of the condition of the house before construction. It is necessary to carry out a calculation that will show whether the house can withstand the addition of a floor. The foundation and walls of the building are checked.

If this is an old house, then the walls of the structure are dilapidated and will not support the weight of the attic floor. During the construction of an attic structure, the old foundation can crack and “float”.

Do-it-yourself construction of an attic floor is also not recommended on buildings made of brick and foam blocks. The reason is that these are very fragile materials from which load-bearing walls cannot be made.

Attic floor superstructure, photo

The construction project must include insulation and finishing of the attic floor. The extension must be well insulated so that it retains heat and the structure itself can breathe.

How to make an attic with your own hands with high quality

The construction of the attic floor requires the use of the following materials:

• wall panels for covering the ends of the building;
• beams for construction mansard roof;
• wooden crossbars;
• roofing material for the roof;
• insulation for walls and pitched roofs;
• insulating materials;

Design

The construction of a wooden attic begins with the development of a project. At the design stage, calculations and selection of the roof structure are made.

Roof structure

The constructed room can be triangular, broken, asymmetrical in shape, occupy the space above the entire house, or only above a part of it. It depends on the type of roof.

The simplest design is a single-slope one. It is a plane fixed on load-bearing walls different heights, and tilted to one side.

We build an attic with our own hands - a lean-to structure

The most common is a gable roof, which consists of two inclined planes, not aligned in opposite directions.

Cozy country house with a gable roof

It also occurs broken design attics. It is used in big houses and consists of two or more parts that form a broken line.

A sloping roof is used to enlarge the attic space, or for decorative purposes

A hipped roof is also found in the construction of country houses.

A roof with four slopes makes attic structure comfortable for living

To give the house an original shape, complex conical, domed and pyramidal roofs are built.

Attic with a domed structure

Mansard roof can be of any shape. It is mounted on a special frame, built taking into account the desired parameters of the future room.

As a rule, the roof is laid on a frame with a slope angle of 30-60˚ and combines the roof itself, the ceiling and the walls.

The best option is a gable sloping roof, which provides more living space. For its construction, inclined rafter systems are used, which are fastened to the walls of the building. They must be strong enough to withstand vertical and horizontal loads.

We are building an attic - general design structures

Rafter system - roof frame. Subsequently, the sheathing is attached to it and mounted finishing coat. The building frame is processed by special means for protection against fire and moisture.

If the installation of an attic was not initially included in the house design, care should be taken to install stairs, windows, as well as heat and sound insulation of the room.

To maintain heat in the house, tiles, slate, and plastic coverings should be used as roofing materials.

Glazing

The phased construction of the roof also includes the installation of windows in the attic floor. They are vertical and pitched. Their angle of inclination must coincide with the slope of the roof. The windows are located at a height of 70 cm, 1 m from the floor.

Installing pitched windows allows more light to enter the room on the top floor, and at night they offer a beautiful view of the starry sky

The choice of windows for a built attic depends entirely on the preferences of the home owner, but we should not forget that they must be of high quality.

Installation of an attic window

When the room is built and windows are installed, the attic floor is connected to the rest of the living space using a ladder and finishing work is performed.

How to properly and efficiently organize the construction of an attic with your own hands - video:

Construction of an attic - options

For short terms You can build a frame attic with your own hands.

It can be built simultaneously with the construction of a house made of wood or timber.

DIY wooden frame attic, photo

This is an ideal option for quickly and inexpensively expanding your living space by adding an attic floor.

The log attic looks beautiful and colorful

Also, an additional floor can be added to the finished foundation of a brick house.

Wooden structure on the base of a brick and aerated concrete house

In large houses with a strong foundation, the frame of the structure can be made of metal.

Metal frame of the attic floor

An example of how an old attic can be converted into cozy attic do it yourself - video:

Bottom line

The attic floor in many houses has long ceased to be empty - it began to be used as an additional functional room. Completing an attic in a house or in a country house with your own hands will give you the opportunity to get a full second floor, which you can use at your discretion.

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

When creating a new building, the issue of constructing an attic is decided in advance in the project. If you are building an attic yourself in an old house, then you need to carefully study all the requirements for reconstruction or an extension to an already finished building.

What is an attic

An attic is a living space resembling an attic, which is formed on the upper floors of houses with an attic roof. Anyone with special skills in the construction process can build an attic on their own.

The attic floor is understood as a floor in the attic, the facade of which is formed entirely or partially by the surfaces of a sloping or sloping roof. In fact, it is a full-fledged living space inside the building.

To reduce the load on an already erected structure, when construction work On the attic floor, lightweight materials and structures are used with one’s own hands. Wood is indispensable in these matters. The attic itself is often built from wood; for this purpose, beams, logs or frame-panel technology are used.

Types of attics

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

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

Attic roofing comes in the following types:

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

Let's consider in detail:

• A pitched roof is erected very rarely. Due to the high difference between the heights of the walls, such an attic will become asymmetrical and it will be difficult to install windows.
• A gable roof often involves arranging the attic symmetrically. It will have sloping internal walls. When constructing this roof, elongated boards are used, which is not cheap. True, the performance indicators of this roof are quite high. A serious advantage is that with such a roof it is possible installation full windows and doors along which there is an exit to the balcony.
• Broken roof. The attic will have vertical walls. The structure itself reaches a width of more than 5 m. The material consumed for this type of roof is much less than for a gable roof.
• A hip roof makes it possible to create a comfortable and small attic. It includes 2 slopes, shaped like a trapezoid and a triangle. The windows are on the ceiling slopes.
• Hip roofing is also used for the construction of an attic. Windows must have a special shape and are made according to individual projects.

All of the above types of structures have their own advantages and disadvantages. Symmetrical structures have a more straightforward design; the project does not include complex calculations, compared to the installation of asymmetrical coatings.

What is needed for construction

It should be understood that the construction of an attic is a rather complex process. Here you need to have the proper experience and skills in the construction industry. 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 sheathing;
• material to sheathe the end walls;
• fasteners for roof installation;
• thermal insulation;
• waterproofing;
• material for interior decoration attics.

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 it it is not recommended to begin the construction process itself.

If you are not conscientious about this stage, then you can easily lose sight of any detail that later requires more financial resources to resolve the error. Before constructing the attic, you will need to make a thorough analysis of the layout features of the room that is to be refurbished.

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

• Geometric features of the roof.
• Creating conditions for the joint functioning of roofing engineering systems and other parts of the house.
• Selecting the proper material for construction work.
• Roof of the attic floor. Attics with round-sloped roofs require special waterproofing and special insulation.

Construction of the attic

The layout of the attic can be carried out both during the construction work and during the construction of the attic on a pre-finished building. You should first carefully check the foundation 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 home 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 include roofing felt or roofing felt, sold in rolls. When working with them, you do not need any specialized skills. In case of creation wooden floor there is no need to install an auxiliary beam.
2. Next, the racks are mounted on the beams. They represent the specific skeleton of the walls of the attic being built. For best performance, they should be placed no further than 2 m between them. Each post must be level. After installation, it is recommended to sheathe them on both sides. You must remember to lay the insulation in the middle of the studs. Each rack must be individually secured using 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 installed. Thanks to it, a high level of strength is ensured when fastening the roof rafters to the wall. 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 underneath it to avoid further rotting.
5. If the Mauerlat is properly secured, then it will protect the roof from the influence of wind, snow in winter time. To secure it, use annealed wire with a diameter of up to 0.5 cm.
6. Next, the rafters are installed. Markings are first applied to the rafter frame and 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 rest on a ridge beam. If the attic is large enough in area, then, of course, the weight of the entire roof will become large. Due to this, the beam is considered an essential part of the structure. If rafter legs length is less than 8 m, then ordinary guy wires will be quite useful.
8. Installation of fillies. It is carried out in the same way as the rafter legs.
9. Then the hem board should be nailed to the fillies. 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. In the place where windows are installed, the rafter legs should be strengthened. For these purposes, transverse bars 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 works related to increasing its resistance to the effects of mechanical and natural factors.

Insulation and waterproofing

• At self-creation Attic roof insulation plays an important role. The implementation of these works begins after the installation of the rafters. The area where it interfaces with the environment is quite large, so 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 from outside. The most popular material is membrane film.
• From the outside, where the ventilated air layer is located, the insulation is protected by waterproofing, a windproof, vapor-permeable membrane. Use for installation in the roof or attic, as waterproofing and windproof membrane, materials that are also vapor barriers are impossible. 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 taped. Waterproofing is installed in order to protect the insulation from high humidity from atmospheric precipitation, which fall into the gaps during gusts of wind, as well as from condensation on the other side of the roof.
• The ventilation of the attic floor should be carefully arranged. Since now this is a living space, it is necessary to create proper living conditions. The main problem with its microclimate is the heat coming from the lower floors and causing condensation to accumulate on the insulation. Condensation has a detrimental effect on it and this can lead to rotting and destruction. To protect it, a vapor barrier layer is added. If condensation still accumulates on the thermal insulation layer, you should think about a forced ventilation system.

Insulating the attic with foam plastic

Attic finishing

Finishing work of the attic with plasterboard

First, the roof slopes and gables are sheathed, then the ceiling is finished. To sheathe the roof slopes, beams are mounted horizontally on the rafters in increments of 1 m, then horizontal beams are mounted in the gaps.

The next step will be to measure the drywall according to the given dimensions and its subsequent installation on the base. quite simple, but at the same time quite labor-intensive process. When everything is completed, all gaps and cracks should be sealed.

Finishing work of the attic with clapboard

Wood-look finishing work is quite in demand for attics, and the installation of the lining itself is simple. It is cut to the required height and nailed to wooden base using nails at the joints, so the head 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 distortion at the end of the wall. When the installation of the lining is completed, it should be covered with several layers of varnish.

• Choice optimal option the attic roof increases the living space in the building. Various types roof structures can be installed not only during the construction of the building, but also during the reconstruction of the building. With the latter option, you need to calculate in advance the ability of the base and walls to withstand additional loads.
• The design of the attic roof involves the installation of a rafter system made of carefully dried wooden beams. To make structural elements, beams of various sections are used. Installation of the attic is done using light and safe material.
• Insulating the attic inside the room, which is located under the roof, loses heat more quickly than the lower floors. Because of this, the roof must include reliable insulation. It is installed in the middle of the outer waterproofing layer and a vapor barrier on the room side. A well-made pie ensures a long service life of the entire roofing system. For interior decoration of the attic room it is most often used natural wood. But the sheathing of walls and ceilings can also be done with other sheet materials, including plasterboard.

The attic floor these days is an essential 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, and also comply with all the requirements and expert advice described above.

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