We make a warm attic from the attic. Insulation of the attic of the house. Is it possible to legalize an attic in an apartment building From a cold attic to make a warm attic
A rare owner of a dacha can boast that for a long time he did not know leaks, “tearing” straight into the owner’s heart, and other malfunctions. Quite the contrary: almost every building will have problems caused by damage.
Over the years, there are doubts about the durability and reliability of the truss system,. In parallel, there is a vague or obvious (underline as necessary) desire to convert a cold attic into a heated one. So roof upgrades and overhauls become a specialized segment construction activity.
Diagnosis must be professional
Before starting repair work, find out the real causes of the “trouble”. For those who are really interested in this topic, I recommend reading the question sent to the editors on February 16 and its further discussion. The author blames the leaks not on the external moisture of rains and snows, but on the under-roof condensate. A completely competent approach, although quite unexpected for a summer resident who is not initiated into the craft of a roofer.Causes of defects in the roof structure can be reduced to errors:
- design,
- mounting,
- operation.
So. What can roofing design mistakes lead to?
- Incorrect calculation will inevitably lead to deformation of the truss structure. This means that the integrity of the roofing will be violated.
- Architects who are too creative and far from practice put too complicated knots into the project. So, for example, often ventilation or chimney pipes "sniper" aim at the valleys. It is not surprising that the vertical structures emerging in the valleys block the natural flow of water.
- Creation of "snow bags" at the junction of two valleys. If you update such a roof, it is better to completely redo its design.
- Leaks can be caused by errors not only in the structural, but also in the heat engineering calculation. Due to insufficient winter, the roof will freeze over and the roofing material may be deformed.
Along with design errors, it can also add headaches illiterate editing. Leading here:
- non-compliance with technological requirements,
- deviation from project documentation.
Yes, and to find real roofers, and not all-purpose builders who take on everything, is also not easy. Let's take, for example, the most important places on the roof - junction zones (valleys, framing).
Valley installation. Photo: Braas
These places often use materials with different thermal properties. For example, fired is joined with a steel clamping bar. In cold weather, when the difference between interior and exterior temperatures approaches 50 ° C, moisture intensively condenses under the roofing in these areas, which then flows into the attic floor. Agree, not everyone who wants to get a contract for the construction of a country roof and “cut down money” quickly knows about such “little things”.
It should be borne in mind that the owners of the dacha are not without sin in the operation of the roof. Roofing material can also be damaged during maintenance of any roof wiring: chimneys, ventilation outlets, television antenna.
It would be unfair to evaluate any as the pinnacle of technical excellence. And if it is of poor quality, then in itself it can become a source of leaks. Such cases are not uncommon when buying "left" materials from unknown manufacturers. The conclusion suggests itself.
So, a problematic roof requires at least professional expertise. This will require a close study of the roofing and truss structures. Only after it can a list of repair and restoration work be drawn up. However, if you are going to replace a light roofing with a heavier one (say, ceramic), this will require recalculation of the truss structure with its subsequent strengthening.
Or another example. If you “agree” on a budget sparse crate, then you need to lay a solid one under the bitumen one, and even of decent quality. The latter is definitely more expensive. Of course, during the transition it will be necessary to change the design of the crate. All this will inevitably affect the reconstruction estimate.
Roof Repair: Troubleshooting
Serious roof repairs can be carried out according to two schemes:- It is carried out along all the slopes at the same time, which involves the construction of a safety tent over the roof;
- Repair of the roof and replacement of the roof is carried out in stages, with the transition from one "capture" to another, that is, from slope to slope.
There is a simpler and cheaper option when the canopy is pulled over a temporary structure that rests on the load-bearing elements of the roof: for example, on a Mauerlat. All these manipulations require builders with experience. With such an awning, work on the roof can be carried out at any time of the year. Even in winter, heating with heat guns is permissible there.
However, hinged technology also has two notable shortcomings:
- Firstly, the awning and its supporting structure limit the working space and make it difficult to operate with long-length components of the truss system.
- Secondly, the erection of a protective awning requires significant costs.
Therefore, cottage owners prefer the usual "tentless" scheme, according to which roof repairs are carried out from slope to slope in the open air. The roof is opened in fragments, waiting for dry weather. In the rain, activity is slowed down, and open areas are covered with moisture-proof films.
The modest scale of traditional country houses also speaks in favor of this scheme for gardeners. Repair of the roof here will be completely mastered by 2-3 people during the summer season, even if it is a record rainy one.
During the examination, it is necessary to inspect the roofing pie and all components of the truss structure. Wet mineral wool insulation, damaged waterproofing, etc. are removed. With an increase in the mass of roofing materials that are to be replaced, the structures are reinforced, and the wood of the rafters is treated with special protective compounds.
Let's take a brief look at installation. The choice is also determined by questions from the reader's mail. This roof will require flooring made of moisture-resistant plywood, OSB or planed edged boards. Sheet products should be laid with a small gap (no more than 10 mm), which will compensate for minor deformations of the roof structure, which occur, for example, during the natural settlement of the building.
Bituminous tiles of the company "Tegola"
Lay shingles over old roofing is quite real. Indeed, if there is no strength and desire to tear off the previous roof, you can give up on it (of course, if it was not, for example, wavy). Such a strong-willed decision makes sense if you are sure that the truss structure and the roofing cake are in excellent condition.
For complex roofs(with dormer windows, valleys, trims in height, etc.) it is reasonable to choose from galvanized steel with a protective and decorative coating. But for laying such material on complex surfaces, professional roofers will be required.
Roof reconstruction
If you have already swung at a serious reconstruction, then you need to consider all modern requirements for roof structures. For example, problem. After all, earlier, in cold attics, they didn’t even think about it: there was simply no need.Particular attention should be paid to the organization of natural ventilation of the insulation, battens and truss structure. Sufficient ventilation gap (at least 5 cm) must be provided along the entire length of the ramp. Of course, you need ensure natural circulation air flow from the eaves to the ridge. To do this, discreet holes are provided in the filing of the cornice overhang, which are closed with a grate. It will eliminate the blowing of foliage and the "expansion" of birds looking for warm places for their nests.
Aeroelement of the company "Braas"
On the roof ridge itself, provision should be made inventilation outlets and ridge aerators, outwardly not different from the roofing material.
Another option to ensure reliable ventilation is to install ventilation turbine. This uncomplicated device rotates at the slightest breath of the breeze and activates the ventilation of the under-roof space.
Reconstruction of the attic
Converting a cold attic into a modern heated attic is the latent desire of many traditional owners. But it should be clearly understood that such an intention will cost a pretty penny, and a very solid one at that. This should only be done if for some reason you cannot expand your holdings within the ground floor, which is noticeably cheaper.
The question arises: why is the attic an expensive “project”? The fact is that increased thermal and structural requirements are imposed on the spaces under the roof. This is understandable even with a simple comparison of the volumes of a cold attic and attic. A residential attic requires much more interior space than a cold, unused attic. And this means that a restructuring of the truss system is necessary.
When replacing traditional rafters made of logs or knocked together boards, it is logical to take advantage of new technological proposals. For example, glued wooden structures. A small mass of such modern "pieces of wood" allows you to do without the expensive rental of a truck crane. Wood is able to hold nails and screws for decades. There is no need for welding joints, which is relevant for houses with metal rafters. And the best part - the visual, aesthetic and environmental properties of wooden glued structures make it possible to create modern attic interiors without further finishing.
Does not lose ground in the reconstruction of roofs and metal.
However, one must be aware of its shortcomings. With a daily temperature difference, condensation forms on iron surfaces. And moisture is absolutely useless for steel structures. In addition, they are characterized by a high level of thermal expansion. That is, this "trifle" must be taken into account when preparing a project for the reconstruction of the roof.
The comfortable microclimate in the attic depends on. She plays a decisive role here. Therefore, her choice must be approached with special responsibility. must have a real energy-saving ability, be non-combustible, durable, vapor-permeable, geometrically and technically stable.
To insulate pitched roofs, new or reconstructed, heat-insulating plates made of or are used. Note: slabs, not mats! The latter can sag over time, change shape, opening loopholes (crevices) for the merciless cold.
characteristic parameters of heat insulators due to the quality of raw materials and the specifics of modern high-tech production:
- Thus, stone wool is characterized by good resistance to compression, high fire resistance, geometric and structural stability.
- Fiberglass plates are characterized by elasticity and elasticity. It is they that underlie the installation, when the plates are laid between the rafters by surprise, preventing the appearance of gaps in the future.
However, heat insulators that are unchanged in shape can also be found on the market: for example, foam glass and. The second I propose a priori do not use for roofing. In direct contact with fire, it releases chemical compounds that are unacceptably harmful to human health. What can not be said about foam glass, which, in terms of all thermal characteristics, is absolutely the leader among materials. But when using it, it is almost impossible to avoid future gaps. In addition, this material is very expensive, almost inaccessible to an ordinary domestic summer resident.
To protect the structures of the truss system and insulation from moisture, apply vapor and waterproofing membranes. These are films that remove water vapor from the insulation from a warm room.
During the overhaul of the roof with the replacement of insulation and all insulating films, the best option would be the material with variable vapor permeability. This is a polyamide membrane, in a dry state it is an excellent vapor barrier. When moistened, its ability to pass water vapor increases tenfold. Here is a direct example of the introduction of new technologies in the construction and operation of suburban real estate.
Attic windows
For a cold, unused attic, lighting is traditionally not provided. Unless there are small windows on both ends of the gable roof or a foggy glass in the birdhouse of the dormer window (dormer). Such modest translucent planes do not provide enough daylight. But if during the reconstruction of the “upper economy” you are planning to create a residential attic, then you cannot do without special windows. That's what they're called. They are installed directly into the roof slope.
Such a dormer window will be envied by another facade
The highest achievement in the development of new designs of skylights should be recognized as their completely unexpected transformation into a balcony door and the appearance of a tiny balcony. The photo on the right shows the Fakro roof window-balcony model. I think not every summer resident needs such a “bells and whistles”, but at least it is worth knowing about its existence.
Left: skylight. Right: roof window-balcony. Photo: Fakro
Roof window installation should be carried out strictly according to the manufacturer's instructions. Even a seemingly slight distortion of the window unit can lead to a loose fit of the sash to the frame. And this will violate the integrity of the heat-shielding shell of the entire attic.
A well-thought-out roof modernization project, multiplied by conscientious work during its construction, will ensure comfortable operation of the entire country house. Good luck!
Converting the roof into an attic is the only way to cheaply expand the living space of a country house. After all, there is no need to build a second floor or build an extension next to the house, for which you will have to spend quite serious money. And if the volume of the attic space allows, this mainly concerns the height, then the restructuring process is reduced several times. So, in this article we will tell you how you can redo the roof of a house, what materials are used for this, and what technologies are used to carry out the whole process.
Rework Features
We recall once again that if the height of the attic allows, then the alteration is reduced to minimal costs. If the height is small, then one cannot do without serious work, which practically boils down to the reconstruction of a roofing structure. Therefore, we consider separately both options.
The height of the attic allows you to organize the attic
What is a cold attic. This is a truss system on which roofing material is laid through the lathing. In addition to the latter, the room with the street does not enclose anything. In fact, the outdoor temperature is also present inside the attic. Therefore, the main task of the manufacturer of works is to insulate the attic. Do everything so that heat loss through the roof structure is minimal. Let's start talking about this.
Insulation of the attic begins with the choice of thermal insulation material. It is present on the market in a large assortment, but literally two or three are chosen for the attic. More often these are either mineral wool boards, or expanded polystyrene boards, or polyurethane foam applied by spraying.
Which one to choose, everyone decides for himself. Just note that mineral wool is the worst of the three options in terms of thermal conductivity. But, choosing the right thickness of the plates, you can solve this problem. In addition, mineral wool is a non-combustible, environmentally friendly material with a long service life. In terms of flammability, polystyrene foam boards are inferior to everyone. And polyurethane foam is an expensive material.
We will not go into the details of choosing a heater, let's move on to other building materials that are used in the process of remodeling the roof of a house. There are two of them: waterproofing and vapor barrier film. The first will protect the insulation from moist air vapor that enters the attic from the interior of the house. The second will make it possible to remove moisture from the inside of the heat-insulating cake. Therefore, waterproofing is installed from the inside of the attic, vapor barrier from the outside, that is, between the insulation and the roofing.
It should be noted that the use of polyurethane foam and expanded polystyrene makes it possible to refuse protective films. Since both materials do not absorb moisture. But according to building canons, vapor barrier, which is also wind protection, is laid anyway. Because it acts as an additional protective layer in the construction of any roof, which will resist leaks in case the roofing is deformed or damaged for some reason.
On our website you can find the most . In the filters, you can set the desired direction, the presence of gas, water, electricity and other communications.
Roof insulation
All processes are carried out from the inside of the attic.
First on the rafter legs install vapor barrier film. If its width is not enough to cover the entire slope plane, then the installation is carried out in strips with an overlap of 10-20 cm. In this case, the laying starts from the floor, and the second strip is overlapped on top of the first. The joint must be closed with adhesive tape. An important point is that a coating is formed on the inner plane of the slope so that it fits the rafter system, as shown in the photo below.
Now between the rafter legs laying mineral wool boards. This is also clearly visible in the top photo. Here it is important to choose the width of the plates so that they fit snugly into the space between the rafters, tightly pressing against the ends of the boards. This is how you can ensure that cold bridges do not form.
And the next stage of the formation of a heat-insulating cake - installation of a waterproofing membrane. It is simply pulled along the rafters, and attached to them. It is impossible to pull strongly, it is necessary to leave a small sag between the rafter legs. If laying is carried out in stripes, then the process is carried out in exactly the same way as in the case of vapor barrier. That is, overlap using self-adhesive tape.
And the last. Spend sheathing of the truss system with a heater in it. To do this, use drywall, plywood, plastic panels, OSB boards, chipboard, fiberboard and more.
If polystyrene foam boards are used to insulate the attic, then the process is carried out in exactly the same way. Just do not lay a layer of waterproofing on top of the insulation. The same applies to the use of polyurethane foam.
On our website you can find contacts of construction companies that offer services roof design and repair. You can directly communicate with representatives by visiting the exhibition of houses "Low-Rise Country".
Floor formation
Alteration of the roof under the attic is not only the conduct of insulation processes. It is necessary to form a floor base that will be warm, reliable and beautiful. The very process of building a floor depends on what the floor of the house is. It can be concrete (precast concrete slabs or a single slab cast in the form of a reinforced monolith) or wooden, assembled along the floor's load-bearing beams.
In the first case, a lag structure is assembled, which is attached to a concrete base. A heater is laid between the elements, a waterproofing film is placed on top, and the flooring is already mounted on top.
With floor beams, almost the same thing. It's just that in this design there is one point that concerns the formation of the base for laying the insulation. It consists in the following:
Along the lower edge of the ends of the rafter legs, the so-called tiled bars. These are slats with a section of 40x40 or 50x50 mm, laid along the rafters.
On them stacking boards 20 mm thick or plate (sheet) material: plywood, OSB, chipboard.
And in already received cells lay insulation.
The height of the attic will not allow organizing the attic
This is the most difficult option for converting the roof of a wooden house into an attic and the most expensive, both in terms of cash investment and time spent. In fact, this is the reconstruction of the roof.
What are the stages of this process of alteration.
Design and making calculations.
Acquisition required additional materials.
Dismantling roofing.
Dismantling truss system with a crate.
Formation mansard roof.
Her warming.
Mounting roofing material.
Floor formation and interior decoration of the new premises.
Design
Here choose the type of mansard roof. We immediately indicate that an attic can be organized under any roof structure. It’s just that it’s difficult to organize a living space under hip, multi-gable and hip rabbits. There is little space underneath them. Therefore, preference is given to three varieties, which are shown in the photo below.
The simplest model is the usual gable roof. But in order to increase the space, the architects recommend raising it to a small height - up to 1 m. To do this, they additionally dismantle the old Mauerlat, raise the walls of the building, and already install the Mauerlat and the truss system from above.
Pay attention to the photo below, where you can clearly see that the rafter legs are raised above the level of the walls of the house on support posts made of the same boards as the rafters. The racks rest against the Mauerlat, and they are attached to it. After the installation is completed, the attic wall is sheathed and insulated, as is the truss system.
If the house is brick, then the walls of the attic are built of brick, raising the walls of the house itself to the required height. And already a Mauerlat is laid on them, followed by the installation of a truss system.
If a standard mansard roof project is being created, then all calculations are carried out taking into account the structure of the structure. By the way, about the calculations. It is important to carry them out correctly, taking into account the snow and wind load. In fact, these calculations are not easy. The strength and reliability of the roof structure depends on them, so professional designers are involved in this stage.
Purchase of materials
First, it should be noted that troubleshooting is carried out during reconstruction. That is, the exploited material is examined for its qualitative state. If some parts and assemblies do not meet the requirements of the calculations, and this is usually a section, thickness or length, then they will have to be replaced. Although there are technologies when, for example, lumber does not meet the length parameters, it is simply lengthened.
Having drawn up a defective act, they proceed to the selection of the necessary materials. It should be noted that, when reconstructing the roof, they try to get rid of the roofing material. If it has served on the roof for enough time, then during dismantling it is highly likely to fail. Therefore, roofing material is purchased in full in accordance with the project of a new roof.
Dismantling operations
As the saying goes, to break is not to build. So this is the easiest process. But do not be too zealous, because it is important to save the materials for future use.
Video description
The video shows how the old gable roof is dismantled:
Formation of a new mansard roof
So, the project is taken as the basis for the construction, which indicates the type of roof, its dimensions and the materials used for the construction. Look at the photo below, and you will immediately understand what the frame of a traditional attic is. In fact, these are slopes, consisting of two parts, which are supported by racks and girders. The latter form the premises.
In short, the frame assembly technology is as follows:
Install vertical racks.
Them tied with beams, which perform not only the functions of strapping, but also supports for roof rafters.
Form the upper slopes roofs with a truss system. The legs can be installed either in a layered view (with mounting a ridge run) or a hanging type, as shown in the top photo.
Mount the rafters, which form the lower parts of the roof slope. They rest with their upper ends against the upper trim of the attic, with their lower ends against the Mauerlat.
In fact, the frame is ready, you can move on to other work. First of all, gables are closed, in which dormers are usually installed. If a balcony is attached to the attic, then a door is inserted into the pediment.
Next, a windproof film is laid on top of the rafter system. They fasten it to the rafters, lay it in strips from the bottom up with an overlap of 10-20 cm. The joints of the strips must be closed with self-adhesive tape. Then they mount the counter-lattice, crate and roofing material. After that, all processes are transferred to the attic room.
From the inside of the attic, they carry out all the same processes that were described above. That is, insulation, floor formation and finishing.
Video description
In the video, the specialist conducts an overview of the mansard roof, talks about materials, assemblies and details:
Skylights
It should be noted that the dormer windows installed on the gables of the attic do not provide the constructed room with daylight. In addition, they are not present in all projects. The best option for the attic are the so-called roof windows.
They are represented on the market by a large assortment from a huge number of manufacturers. And each brand of windows has its own installation technology. In general, all technologies are somewhat similar, but they also have their own distinctive features. We will not dwell on the installation technology of skylights in this article, because this is the topic of an entire article.
I just wanted to note that today's proposals are not just standard window designs. This is a large number of additional options that increase the performance of windows. As one of the new options - a roof window, which, when opened, forms a small balcony.
Video description
In order for you to understand what we are talking about, we suggest watching a video that shows how this window construction opens and closes:
Conclusion on the topic
Alteration of the attic into the second floor (residential) - the process is actually not the easiest. Especially if a complete reconstruction of the roofing structure is carried out. This process will take more than one day. The costs will be significant, but it is still cheaper than building, for example, a second full-fledged floor with the construction of walls and ceilings, as well as the installation of a separate roof.
The idea of converting a cold attic into a warm and cozy attic is not new, it usually arises when the house in the summer cottage simply does not accommodate all its residents, but there is no room to make an extension. Converting an attic into a living space is much cheaper than completely dismantling the entire roof and building a new floor, and it takes much less time.
Types of forms of mansard roofs.
We draw up an attic project
In order to make an attic from an attic in a house from an unheated attic, you must first prepare a project. This is necessary so that your future does not collapse, but serves for a long time. It is usually recommended to entrust such work to professionals, since a partial change in the truss system is planned, reinforcement may be required. If no cardinal changes are foreseen, then the project can be drawn up independently on a piece of paper, and then only you should get to work.
Diagram of the supporting structure of the roof.
Today, all roof truss systems can be divided into hanging, when the rafters rest on the outer walls of the house, and inclined, where there are supports on the inner walls or additional supports. In the latter case, it will not work to make a single space under the roof, since it is impossible to remove the supports.
Attics themselves can vary in their design:
- c, that is, occupying the entire space and having a sloping ceiling, the walls here are combined with the outer ones;
- with side partitions between the inner and outer walls.
Stages of roof reconstruction
You can follow these steps:
- project preparation;
- preparation of tools and materials;
- checking and strengthening, if necessary, the truss structure;
- roof insulation;
- exit device;
- Finishing work.
Before you make the attic insulation, you need to think about a ventilated under-roof space.
Let's touch on the work with the truss system in more detail. First, we prepare the necessary tools and materials that will be needed for the reconstruction. It will depend on the scope of work, but usually required:
- carpentry tools (hammer, nails, wood screws, saw, jigsaw);
- protective gloves and goggles;
- building level;
- drill;
- heating pipes, electric cable for communications, special corrugation for laying;
- insulation, steam and waterproofing membrane;
- Decoration Materials.
If the height of the attic is sufficient to make an attic with your own hands, then you do not need to disassemble the roof. You just need to carefully inspect the rafters for damage, replace them if necessary.
If the roof rafters are in excellent condition, then you only need to do the floor with your own hands. To do this, mineral wool is laid between the lags for insulation, after which the floor is sewn on top with chipboard or OSB boards, they are fastened with self-tapping screws.
It is also necessary to lay insulation between the rafters, having previously completed the wiring of engineering networks, but first we determine whether there is enough natural light in the attic.
To do this, it is necessary to cut a hole in the roof and install window frames. Special windows for attics are on sale ready-made, all that remains is to insert the frame. Do-it-yourself windows are installed before the insulation is laid, at the same time doorways are formed. If necessary, the roof at the installation site of the window is re-covered with roofing, sealing the joints between the frame and the roof.
Attention: before you do it, you need to think about a ventilated under-roof space.
What and how to insulate the under-roof space?
One of the most crucial moments is the question of how to ensure a comfortable microclimate and protection of all structural elements. Using only your hands, you can use materials such as foam boards, mineral wool or polyurethane.
Experts usually recommend the use of mineral wool boards, which are perfectly and very easy to fit between the rafters, covered on both sides with a hydro- and vapor barrier film. Before starting the insulation, it is necessary to carry out engineering networks, that is, electrical cables and heating pipes, it is best to place them in a special corrugation. For this, holes are made in the rafters for laying.
The insulation itself fits very tightly, you can not leave any gaps and cavities. A vapor barrier is laid over the mineral wool, which is fastened with brackets to a wooden surface. The film is overlapped, it cannot be stretched.
After insulation, the walls are sewn up with OSB boards or drywall, all seams are puttied. Such a flat and smooth surface is ideal for finishing work.
We make an exit to the attic
Turning the attic into a living space, it is necessary to provide for the construction of a convenient staircase upstairs. A variety of options are possible, in some cases it can be an open staircase from the street that leads to a cozy balcony or terrace, but in most cases it is better to build an internal staircase.
The best options that you can easily do with your own hands are spiral or mid-flight stairs made of wood, which do not take up a lot of usable space.
Cleaning work in the attic
A single-flight staircase is a safe type of staircase because its steps are rectangular in shape.
Before proceeding to the last stage of turning a boring and dusty attic into a comfortable and bright attic, you need to make sure that all engineering communications have been completed. This is not only electrical wiring, but also heating pipes, which are an indispensable element of any living space.
For attics, they can be carried out under the floor by connecting to the main system in the area of the stairs, but basically the do-it-yourself wiring of such systems depends on the layout of not only the attic, but the whole house. At the same time, it is desirable to hide engineering communications in special corrugated metal pipes, which fit perfectly even in a layer of insulation.
Do-it-yourself fine finishing, as the final step in turning an attic into an attic, consists in transforming the floor and sloping walls. It all depends only on the imagination of the owner, the walls can be covered with decorative plaster or wallpaper, but many people prefer to trim with natural wood or clapboard. It looks attractive and organic in such rooms. If you still have protruding rafters, then they can be used as an excellent decorative element, covered with stain and varnish.
But when choosing finishing materials for the attic, one must remember that it is not necessary to create a large load here, so heavy building materials are not suitable. For the floor, you can make a simple flooring from OSB boards, insulate it with mineral wool, and laminate or linoleum can be mounted on top.
It is possible to significantly increase the usable area of a country house by insulating a pitched roof and arranging another residential floor in the under-roof space - the attic. But keep in mind that the solution to this problem requires a thoughtful, technically sound approach and strict adherence to technological instructions. In this article, we’ll just consider how you can make an attic from the attic.
§ First assess the situation
First of all, you need to assess the situation. The fact is that not every attic can be redone. In order for living quarters to be located in the bowels of the pitched roof of the house, it must be sufficiently voluminous. It is unlikely that you will like to live in cells with low, literally crushing ceilings. Therefore, a room height of at least 2.5 m is required.
It is clear that the inclined ceiling plane limits the full-fledged living volume. But everything has a limit. If more than half of the attic area has a height of less than 1.8-2 m, it is better to abandon the attic device or decide on a major reconstruction of the pitched roof.
Insulation is laid between the inclined elements of the roof structure (rafters). Its thickness is determined on the basis of a heat engineering calculation, which takes into account local climatic conditions and other parameters. If the height of the section of the rafters is insufficient to accommodate the thermal insulation, the rafter group is increased.
Scheme of the device of a warm attic (or attic) ↓
To insulate attics and mansard roofs, mineral wool insulation is used - basalt products (ROCKWOOL - Russia-Denmark, NOBASIL - Slovakia, PAROC - Finland, LINEROCK - Saint-Gobain group, ISOROC and TechnoNikol - both Russia, and others) or glass fiber (ISOVER - the international concern "Saint-Gobain"; URSA - the Spanish concern URALITA, Knauf Insulation - an international company, and others). Retail price range - $20-$70/cu.m. meter (from $1 per m2). Sold in packs (packs) and rolls.
Stone insulation is a special plate, fiberglass - mats or also plates. Mineral wool thermal insulation materials are durable, do not burn, resistant to various external influences, vapor permeable. Basalt wool is notable for its shape stability - it does not cake or shrink over time. In addition, it increases the fire safety of the house. The stone thermal insulator prevents the spread of fire, withstanding temperatures up to 1000 ºC.
Fiberglass products are characterized by increased elasticity, due to which they perfectly adapt to the characteristics of the installation site. In addition, mats and boards are compressed during packaging. In a compact form, the material takes up less space, which has a positive effect on the estimated cost of construction (transport and storage costs are reduced). When unpacked, fiberglass thermal insulation returns to its original shape. In addition to insulating the roof slopes and installing inclined windows in the attic, you should take care of engineering communications: electrical wiring, heating, plumbing, etc.
Options for insulating the attic of the house: with and without waterproofing.
§ Waterproofing membrane
A waterproofing membrane is mounted on the outside of the insulation (the market price of PVC membranes is $4-$8/m2), which will protect it from external moisture. The material is attached to the counter-lattice (rails nailed to the rafters) and pressed from above with a counter-lattice. As a result, two gaps are formed: between the membrane and the roofing, as well as between the membrane and the heat insulator. The weathering of water from the under-roof space provides natural ventilation.
However, in the process of converting a cold attic into a warm attic, it is extremely difficult to mount a waterproofing membrane. To do this, you need to disassemble the roof of the roof of the house, remove the crate, etc. Meanwhile, you can go the other way. I must say that a properly laid roofing does not let rain and melt water through. Mostly dew “drips” onto the insulation, that is, condensate that forms on the inside of the roof during sudden changes in temperature and humidity. Most of the water "drains" from metal roofing materials (metal tiles, seam roofing from sheet steel, copper, zinc-titanium, aluminum). Natural tiles, on the contrary, are not too generous with dew. And rare drops will not damage the mineral wool, because. the material is treated with water-repellent impregnation at the factory). Water will not have time to be absorbed, as it will be carried away by the wind, “walking” in the ventilation gap between the insulation and the roof.
§ Attic insulation: warm lining for the roof
Mineral wool is placed between the rafters by surprise, without the use of any additional fasteners. This creates a continuous heat-insulating layer without cracks and cold bridges. It is unacceptable to crush or compact the insulation, driving it into the specified framework. The installation of thermal insulation is carried out after the installation of skylights, as well as upon completion of all work on the reconstruction and strengthening of the roof truss structure.
1 . At several points, the distance between the rafters in the light is measured along the height of the slope.
2 . An element of the required size is drawn on a mineral wool board. 2 cm is added to the distance between the rafters (to install the insulation by surprise).
3 . The plates are cut with a special knife for working with mineral wool.
4 . The cut element is inserted between two rafters. Thermal insulation is laid throughout their depth. The insulation should not go beyond and not block the ventilation gap (3-5 centimeters) between the roof and the heat insulator.
5 . A heat-insulating contour of mineral wool strips is created around the window block. In this case, “warm” internal slopes are formed.
6 . Then proceed to the installation of the vapor barrier. First, the slopes of the roof windows are isolated. The adjunction of the film to the structural elements is sealed with a self-adhesive tape. The vapor barrier film is brought onto the walls and attached to the frames with a construction stapler.
8 . The film is laid over the entire surface of the slope. The panels are overlapped and attached to the rafters. Joints are closed with self-adhesive tape.
9 . Additional sealing of the vapor barrier is provided by a special self-adhesive tape - it reinforces all joints and junctions. At the same time, they indicate the position of the rafters and other elements to which the slats for drywall will be attached.
10 . Under the plasterboard sheathing, wooden planks are mounted in increments of no more than 40 cm. The horizontal position of the planks is controlled by the building level.
11 . Planks should be in the same plane. To do this, use a twine (a special strong thread), which is pulled over the screws in a certain way.
12 . And already the final fastening of the planks is carried out on a grid of stretched twine.
§ We remake the attic into an attic: wall decoration
Drywall is used for rough walls. If in the future it is planned to install vertical walls or built-in wardrobes in the lower zone of the under-roof space, then “ceiling” plasterboard sheets with a thickness of only 9.5 mm (from $ 4 for a sheet of 1200 × 2500 mm) are suitable for sheathing. However, it is recommended to line the walls with more solid drywall - 12 mm thick. In addition, rough finishing is often performed in two layers.
According to regulatory requirements, electrical wiring and other communications are installed before wall cladding. In the casing, holes are necessarily made for sockets and switches. Drywall is screwed with self-tapping screws, the distance between which should not exceed 16 cm. A gap of 6-8 mm is left between the drywall sheets. In the future, the joints are primed, glued with a sickle (special mesh) and puttied. When the putty dries, the seams are sanded with sandpaper. The result is a completely even base for fine finishing - painting, wallpapering. Ceramic tiling is also possible. True, in this case it is necessary to use moisture-resistant drywall or gypsum fiber boards. Before finishing work, the walls are coated with an appropriate primer.
To speed up the finishing work, in the area of \u200b\u200bthe ridge, crossbeams are nailed to the rafters, to which plasterboard sheathing is then attached. In addition, this technique improves the appearance of the ceiling. The main thing is to do everything smoothly and accurately.
1 . Installation of sheathing starts from the ceiling. Drywall sheets are screwed to the planks with self-tapping screws.
2 . Sheets are stacked with a shift of 25 cm from each other. Self-tapping screws are screwed using a screwdriver or a drill with a special nozzle - a travel depth limiter, which ensures the same position of the heads (almost flush with the skin surface). For convenience, a homemade support is used that holds the sheet in an inclined position.
3 . The protruding edge of the horizontal slope is adjusted with a planer under the skin.
4 . Using an auxiliary board, mark the workpieces and cut out vertical slopes according to the marking.
5 . Self-tapping screws fix vertical and lower horizontal slopes. The corners are reinforced with a corner perforated profile.
6 . Joints and corners are treated with putty for drywall.
Finally, we remind you once again that the attic in the house is complete, in addition to insulating the slopes and installing inclined windows on the roof, you should take care of all the necessary engineering communications: electrical wiring, heating, plumbing, etc. It should also be noted that, if desired, you can organize a remote window management. Such a modern solution will make spending time even more convenient and comfortable.
4.9444444444444 Rating 4.94 (9 Votes)
Reconstruction of the attic of a country house into an attic is one of the most relevant measures aimed at improving the performance of this room.
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Prices
The company "Red Roofs" performs a full scope of work, from the creation of a concept and ending with roofing work of any complexity and warranty service of the facility.
Complexity of development
| Work in progress | simple roof | Medium Roof (Or custom profile on plain roof) | Composite Roof (Or Custom Profile on Mid Roof/Beaver Tail) | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Roofing dismantling | |||||
| Dismantling of counter-lattices and battens | |||||
| Dismantling of hydro-vapor barrier | |||||
| Dismantling the drainage system | |||||
| Rafter insulation | |||||
| Installation of hydro-vapor barrier | from 3700 ₽/m2 | from 4300 ₽/m2 | from 4700 ₽/m2 | ||
| Installation of counter battens and battens | |||||
| Roof covering including snow retention | |||||
| Gutter systems, gutters, funnels, corners. (Not including pipes and hemming (Due to the fact that the installation takes place after the completion of facade work) |
The cost of work does not include: departure for measurement, delivery of material, installation of scaffolding, lifting of material to the roof, overhead costs, arrangement of a residential camp.
Design features of the attic floor
The attic can have any shape - broken or triangular, be symmetrical or asymmetric, located on the entire area of \u200b\u200bthe building or only above its part.
The classic sloping mansard roof, the most optimal in terms of the area used, has a slope of about 70º in the lower part, and 15-30º in the upper, more gentle part. The room can be located within the boundaries of the load-bearing walls of the house or protrude beyond it, based on the design of additional supports.
The modern mansard roof is the most high-tech part of the house, as it receives and transmits to the rest of the building all kinds of extreme climatic influences. All its structural elements are subject to high requirements in terms of building, sanitary and fire standards.
Whereas in the past, vertical windows installed in lucarne-type “birdhouses” were more commonly used for lighting, today special innovative attic windows are available that are mounted directly into the roof, providing 40% more lighting. The roofing technologies used in modern times guarantee not only maintenance-free operation for decades, but also an aesthetically attractive appearance of a country house.
5 reasons to order the reconstruction of the attic in the company "Red Roofs":
- We have our own design department, so we will competently develop a reconstruction project and select the necessary materials.
- The company's product range includes a wide selection of modern roofing materials, accessories and skylights from the world's leading manufacturers at reasonable prices.
- We carry out a full range of works on the reconstruction of the attic into the attic without resettlement, starting with the dismantling of obsolete coatings and structural elements, ending with the installation of modern window systems, roofs with vapor barrier.
- The high qualification of technical specialists and roofers guarantees the absence of errors in the development of a project for the reconstruction of a roof into an attic and in the installation of roofs and windows.
- When ordering a service from us, the period of a comprehensive guarantee for all types of roofing works ranges from 2 to 10 years.
For those who are going to do the work themselves, we offer advice from an independent expert on the choice of roofing materials. You can also order a technical supervision service for the quality and compliance with the technology of reconstruction work.
Reviews
As a roofing material for our country house, my wife and I chose Zabudov's cement-sand tiles (similar to Braas, but of higher quality), produced in Belarus. We searched for and chose a supplier in Moscow for a long time and settled on the Red Roofs company. Never regretted the choice! I liked the company very much. Our supervising manager was, and still is Zhanna Lomakina, ...
Good afternoon! I will share my experience of cooperation with the Red Roofs company. I studied the offers on the market for quite a long time and carefully before making a choice. Svetlana Kolodina, the manager of the Red Roofs company, competently consulted, oriented in the assortment. As a result, I chose the Red Roofs company, because in addition to the professionalism of the manager, I received the most favorable...
Summer 2016 I decided with my family to build a house from glued beams. We saw many villages and living houses. We settled on a tiled roof and initially designed the roof of the house under the tiles. We wanted BRAAS Taunus cement-sand high-wave tiles. We chose from whom to buy a complete set of materials for the roof (tiles, insulation, membranes, skylights, snow retention gratings, drainage system) ...
In "Red Roofs" we have issued orders for two objects. First, they ordered natural tiles for their house of 440 m2, a garage, a bathhouse, I liked everything very much, the manager Olga Dolgovskaya is just a smart girl, she works for "5+". As a result, we ordered tiles for the second house and, in the end, placed orders for paving stones for both properties. We were very pleased with the work with the Red Roofs company, many thanks to Olga Dolgovskaya.
With best regards, Vladimir.
Good afternoon! I want to express my gratitude to Olga Dolgovskaya, the manager of the Red Roofs company! Thank you for your help in the selection of material for the roof of the house, prompt delivery and the necessary consultations.
Sincerely, Dmitryuk Vyacheslav Gerasimov.
I express my gratitude to the company "Red Roofs" for the work performed - the reconstruction of the roof (roof area is 592.30 square meters) at the address: Tver region, Terekhovo village. I would especially like to note the professionalism, high qualifications, as well as the clear and constructive work of the entire team, from the management to the workers at the construction site, which made it possible to reduce...
MK Agran LLC expresses its deep gratitude and sincere gratitude to the Red Roofs Company for the 2-year fruitful cooperation.
During our joint work, many orders were placed, stable shipments allowed us to carry out our activities without interruption. We are very pleased with the discounts that your company presents to us as a construction company and a regular customer.
We started cooperation with your company only this year. You acted as a supplier of tiled roofing for three of our facilities. Roofing work on two sites has already been fully completed. Work on the third facility is still ahead. But already now we are confident that we will fulfill them with high quality and on time, based on the experience of our cooperation. The staff of your company are professionals. ...
We express our gratitude to the Red Roofs company for the high-quality fulfillment of obligations under the contract for the implementation of complex works on the installation of the roof at the address: Leningradsky Prospekt, house 48/2, building 1.
During the cooperation, the company "Red Roofs" has established itself as a conscientious and reliable partner, fully realizing the needs and wishes of our organization...
The company "Red Roofs" in 2005 performed roofing installation work during the construction of the cottage village "Arkhangelsk" in the Moscow region, Gorki - 6.
During the work, the company "Red Roofs" has established itself as a conscientious and reliable partner, meeting the wishes of the Customer. The roofing work was carried out to a high standard...