A house is a place where each of us feels completely protected. Comfort and coziness are important components for a person's rest, which sometimes is impossible due to a lack of square meters. Thanks to new technologies in construction, it was possible to expand the area of houses, usually through extensions, but if the land is small, then the best option is an attic!
Many designers have long considered attic spaces as a good option to increase the area in the house, although not always possible to make an attic without the intervention of builders. Often this is due to the fact that the old buildings have a small height of ceilings and a flimsy foundation, which must be strengthened for the safety of the future structure and the entire house as a whole.
The original attic can be constructed from a multi-sloped broken roof
The main advantage of the attic is the possibility to build it on any type of house (cottage, cottage, an old house with an attic).
The only condition for the construction of the attic is the right approach, because there are a lot of subtleties that need to be taken into account, so it is better to build the attic than professionals or to study all the stages of construction well.
Strengthening the foundation in the old house
The first thing you have to do is to check the foundation: are there any vertical cracks in it, are there any distortions in the windows or signs of destruction of the foundation masonry. If there is, the foundation needs to be restored. The second point is the analysis of the materials from which the a private house, because it depends on the material will depend on the technology of recovery.
- The foundation in a wooden private house can be completely replaced. To do this, it is necessary to undermine the old foundation (if it exists) and put the house on the jacks. Then use iron fittings, length from 3 meters to make the initial frame. Next, pour the prepared skeleton with concrete to the required height. This you can not only strengthen, but also raise the foundation.
- Complete replacement of the foundation in a brick or stone old house is impossible. Repair is considered a more complex and important process that requires responsibility and caution! Due to the fact that the construction has a lot of weight, it is impossible to dig under the weakened foundation, because a strong deposit is possible, which can permanently damage the structure in the old house. The only option is a monolithic belt ( reinforced concrete structure, which helps to hold the clutch at the base of the overlap).
Creating an attic project
It is well known that no building can be built without a project. Such extensions, like attics, also need similar projects, but, strangely enough, they have their own characteristics, which are described in GOST. The main requirements for such projects are:
- Providing fire safety. Ways of evacuation should be either through the premises in the old house, or in its outer part.
- Room height. The minimum permissible height is 2.5 m, but exceptions are possible with different roof slopes.
- The volume of premises should be considered from the line of division of premises into working and residential areas. In their absence, it is necessary to calculate the volume of the entire room, taking into account all the slopes.
Dismantling the roof in the old house
Now, when it comes to the very process of building the attic, it is necessary to dismantle the roof in the old house in order to build a new, attic.
Avoid this process is not worth it, because there is a double benefit: first, you can be sure that the attic will be reliable, and secondly, in the future, you will significantly save money on repairing the old roof.
The dismantled roof elements should be carefully lowered to the ground using a rope system The first thing to start with is removing slate or other cover. This process should not cause difficulties, because in the laying of the slate there is no complicated technology. Slate should be lowered from the roof without breaking it, because it can be useful in further work.
Following the slate, it is necessary to remove the roofing material, which holds the metal strips. It is easy to remove the top cover, and one person can do it, but when disassembling the structure itself, it is desirable to have a command, because it can be difficult to dismantle.
The erection of the frame and the construction of the roof
When building an attic frame, you need to know the rule of the golden section. According to this rule, it becomes clear that, in spite of the external limitation of the attic roof, a circle can be inscribed in the section. From here you can derive the main stages for building:
- Work on the assembly rafter systems. The rafters are the base of the roof, which consists of a rigid frame bearing the main load.
- Preparation. Before installing the rafters, it is necessary to assemble the template (preferably on the ground, because this can simplify the process of making certain components).
- Installation. After making a template, you need to transfer it to the roof itself. The best inclination of the roof is 45-60 degrees. With a decrease in the slope, the living space of the premises can be significantly reduced, but, in comparison with the increase, this is permissible. Increasing the angle can make the attic vulnerable to strong gusts of winds.
Tools for installation:
- several pencils of different types;
- nails (when working with a wooden structure);
- hammers with a hammer;
- saw or chainsaw (for working with a bar);
- meter or tape measure;
- a set of drills with a drill;
- bulgarian;
- level.
After the frame is ready, you should determine the material, because it will depend on the process of the crate. If you use soft roofing, then before you work with it, you must install OSB sheets on top of the frame. Only after this you can proceed directly to the fastening of the material itself.
Hydro and heat insulation of the attic
In the construction of the attic, it is worth considering the fact that the ceiling in it will be a roof, so the warm air that will rise can cause considerable damage to the ceiling, eventually destroying the beams.
In order to avoid these unfavorable processes, it is necessary to insulate the attic space in the process of construction. To do this, it is necessary to clog all the through cracks with glass wool or fill them with foam. This simple process will help to avoid problems with the preservation of heat and waterproofing.
Separately, you need to pay attention to the waterproofing, because if problems with the steam that rises in the old house upwards are easily solved, then with waterproofing it is necessary to install a special film. Because of the water ingress to the insulation materials, their properties deteriorate, so installing such a film will be necessary. And that water does not stay on the film, make special bends.
Internal works
When all external work is completed, it's time to do internal work. The walls of the attic are usually plastered with gypsum plasterboard, because this material is the most accessible and helps to hide inaccuracies. Further there are no new moments, as in the old house, because after the installation of drywall the usual process of facing the walls begins (priming, puttying, painting, wallpapering), that is, work on the design of the room.
On the issue of design in the attic are responsible, because the height of the room is not the same, therefore, it is necessary to divide it. Usually in places where the height is the smallest, put a cabinet, and where the largest - a bed or table. So you can clearly outline the room in the zones!
Presence of a roof mansard type gives the appearance of the house a special color, harmonizes it with the environment, makes it more unusual and attractive.
Attic premises have long been used to equip an additional living space, and today the construction of the attic on the old house has again begun to gain former popularity. It should be noted that it can be built practically for any pitched roof, structurally corresponding to the necessary requirements. In this case, the most suitable are the roofs, constructed from suspended rafters and devoid of intermediate supports.
Before you start the construction of the roof roof with your own hands, you need to make sure that the height of the roof slopes corresponds to the regulations that provide for the device in the attic of the living quarters (see: "").
Varieties of mansard roofs
Depending on the features of the space to be equipped, the shape of the roof, the attic floor and other factors, the roof of the attic can be constructed of the following types:
- one-level with a polyline or gable roof;
- one-level with consoles handed out;
- two-level with supports of different types.
On the choice, the construction of a roof type of what type of roof will be performed, the magnitude of the assumed loads on the overlap has a particular effect. Structurally one of the simplest and at the same time reliable roof skylights is triangular. If such a configuration does not correspond to the design project, then a broken roof is arranged, however, its design requires more accuracy and higher costs.
The construction of a roof with an attic must be carried out in full accordance with the design and operational requirements and standards. In addition, it is necessary to observe the general style of the building, so that the attic does not look like a foreign element, artificially implanted in the body of the house.
When carrying out calculations it is necessary to remember that a stronger slope of the rafter structures leads to a decrease in the useful area of the future room. In addition, with a large slope will have to pay special attention to the choice of roofing material.
Main advantages of dormer roofs
Among the positive moments, which brings the construction of the attic, we can distinguish the following:
- increase in the volume of living space without significant material costs;
- giving the building an attractive appearance;
- increasing density of buildings;
- creation of additional residential areas in a previously built house;
- minimum time required for the construction of the attic with your own hands;
- low cost price in comparison with construction from scratch;
- the possibility of creating a comfortable and cozy office, bedroom or room for other purposes.
Specific features of dormer roofs
The technology of roof construction has serious differences from the construction of traditional roofs of houses, since the attic space becomes residential. First of all, one should pay attention to the change in climatic conditions. The fact is that because of additional insulation The conditions for airing deteriorate substantially (read also: ""). Warm air from the attic room gets on the roof surface, where it condenses. Accordingly, the layer of insulation is impregnated with moisture and quickly enough destroyed. To prevent this from happening, the phased construction of the attic roof must necessarily include laying an additional layer of vapor barrier insulation in a small space between the thermal insulation layer and the roof.
In the event that it is not possible to avoid significant accumulation of moisture, it is advisable to take care of the installation of forced ventilation using fans. Maintenance of comfortable living conditions, both in summer and in winter, is possible only with proper heat insulation of the attic. If you do not take care of its high quality, then in summer it will be unbearably hot in this room, and in winter, on the contrary, it's cold. The thickness of the insulation used for the attic must be at least 250 millimeters. Besides, heat-insulating material should be non-combustible, as, for example, mineral wool.
If you are building roof skylights with your own hands, then pay special attention to the arrangement of the roof (be sure to read: ""). The most suitable materials for its covering are ceramic tiles and slate, as they are not exposed to excessive heating in the sun. Roofing must have a high tightness to ensure the preservation of heat in the room. In addition, if the construction technique of the attic is observed, the roof will act as a reliable steam and waterproofing agent, will not penetrate the moisture inside and protect the warmth layer from negative external influences.
Arrangement of the attic
It is possible to build the roof construction technology even on a previously built house, but it is best if you do this in the process of erecting a building (read: ""). In this case, it will be possible to calculate and plan everything in advance, which will avoid problems in the future. In addition, in this case, the permission to build the attic will be much easier.
Most often preference is given to sloping windows, because they have a number of undeniable advantages:
Before you build mansard roof, it is necessary to calculate the necessary number of windows and the ratio of their total area to the area of the room in order to ensure optimal lighting and maintain the necessary microclimate.
In the event that the availability of a furnished residential attic space was not envisaged, and you decided to attach the attic to the house later, you will also have to deal with the installation of stairs. Effectively and at the same time it will be effective to look helical, which will save an additional area in the house.
Do not forget about such an important point as the protection of structural elements of the roof (we are talking about wooden structures) from decay and damage by insects. For this, the wood should be periodically treated with special solutions. In addition, it is necessary to impregnate wooden elements with flame retardants - this can save your life one day!
In order to build an attic over the house to begin with, you need to make sure of the reliability of the structure, which will place almost all the load of the superstructure. If it is not strong enough, then it is necessary to install columns on the foundation. They will be the bearing structure for the constructed attic.
Note that the structure on which the whole load of the superstructure is laid should not be damaged. If it is not, then its skeleton should be replaced with a more reliable one. In this case, part of the load of the attic will carry the walls.
The strapping belt is an integral part of such construction works. He distributes the load of the attic to the restored house, uniting their walls together.
This belt is made mainly of reinforced concrete, but claydite-concrete structures are also found.
To build an attic above a multi-storey private house, it is recommended to use metal carcass, it is more reliable. It is necessary that the overlap between the house and the attic was one-piece.
Load-bearing mansard construction in a private house
The attic and attic of the house are very similar in design. When erecting an overbuilt structure it is necessary to take into account all the weather conditions of the terrain in which the house is located. The superstructure must withstand the wind and pressure of the snow layer.
For the construction of the attic the best way is to use the most durable materials. These are metal, wood or galvanized profile. If desired, any combination of the above materials can be used.
It should be noted that the tree is best used where there is no electricity, as welding in such structures is difficult. Before working with a tree, it must be antipirated. This fireproof wood, it is needed to ensure that this material is not flammable in extreme situations.
A variety of frames, columns and rafters are load-bearing structures. They are attached around the perimeter of the outer wall.
It is best to choose lightweight materials for the power structure, since they can be assembled with bolts and rivets without welding. These are wood or galvanized profile.
In order to have an idea of how to build an attic, it is recommended to watch a video tutorial in the next tab.
Heat insulation cake in the superstructure of the attic floor
When building a mansard structure, it is necessary to take responsibility with responsibility for choosing the material that the superstructure is insulated with.
In the attic floor there is no thermal cushion, so the room loses about 25% of the heat.
Heat insulation of roofing pie
For the warmth of the roofing cake, it is best to use either expanded polystyrene or basalt insulation. It should be taken into account that it is risky to increase the superstructure of the lukewarm, since it is easily ignited.
In sloping roofs, it is best to use basalt slabs. They are laid tightly in several layers. If the insulation is not packed tightly enough, then over time they can deform, which will lead to cavity formation.
Photo 6 - [Heat insulation of the attic with expanded polystyrene].
Steam insulation of roofing pie
Ventilation of roofing pie
Due to the temperature difference in the superstructure, a condensate forms. It can lead to the formation of mold and icicles, which is bad for the facade of the building. To protect the built-up floor from such formations, a roof space and a heater make a ventilation space.
