The attic floor is strikingly different from the attic we are used to. After all, just the word “attic” brings to mind a floor gray with dust, shabby walls, cobwebs, mice and chests with great-grandmother’s things that no one has taken out for ten years. In the article you will learn about the features of this floor and the decoration of the rooms. All the nuances to make this floor cozy.
Features of the attic
To get rid of both this picture and the attic as a warehouse for all kinds of rubbish, you need to think about how many square meters it is that are sitting idle. On which you can arrange a nursery, living room, billiard room and any other room, if you have enough strength and enthusiasm.
Before you take on renovations, you need to understand how the attic differs from any other room in the house.
There are several differences:
- specific form- as a rule, in the attic you can find columns, sudden sharp corners, secluded niches and similar architectural excesses that are absent in the main house;
- low ceiling- in the worst cases, you won’t be able to straighten up under it;
- ceiling of a specific shape- as a rule, beveled either on one side or on both, and only in rare cases flat, as in an ordinary room;
- possible problems- since the attic is located under the roof itself, any leak will result in damaged repairs, and any loud sound will be clearly audible in the room below;
- communication difficulties- attics are often not heated, and even more often they have neither electricity nor water.
Of course, none of the features is a reason to leave the attic floor unfurnished. You just need to take them into account when getting down to business.
Preliminary work
In order to begin cosmetic repairs in the attic, you will first have to carry out preliminary work, which involves several stages:
- cleaning- you need to get rid of the trash, wash the floor and brush away the cobwebs;
- assessment of general condition- are there any cracks in the roof, are the boards in the floor sagging, are the walls collapsing, are the beams holding well in place;
- putting the general condition in order- the cracks need to be patched (and possibly the roof re-roofed), the boards in the floor are in problem areas replace, clean and possibly re-coat walls, replace beams.
When the room is left empty, echoing and clean, all that remains is to refine it:
- carry out communications- otherwise there will be no light in the attic, and in winter it will be cold;
- provide sound insulation- to do this, check how well you can hear from below what is happening in the attic, and, if necessary, put a layer of soundproofing material;
- provide warmth- heating alone is not enough, you need to cover the walls heat-insulating material(this can be either cheap mineral wool or more expensive synthetic materials).
When the work is completed - on your own or with the help of specialists - you can move on to the more pleasant part: cosmetic repairs.
Attic finishing
So that on the attic floor you can arrange comfortable room, it first needs to be refined: cover the floor, paint or wallpaper the walls, do something with the ceiling.
Ceiling
They usually start from the ceiling - this way, if paint drips from it, it will not harm the rest of the renovation. You can use different materials. Among them:
- Dye. It requires some skill - to paint with your hand above your head, you need to be in good physical shape. The color can be any; the paint must be insensitive to moisture. It’s good if it is water-based - such paint does not smell. But you can also use enamel.
- Plaster. Easy to apply due to thicker consistency. Doesn't smell, doesn't look worse paint. You can use decorative plaster and make intricate patterns on it. You can use the regular one - it has a lower price. But you need to remember that plaster, unlike paint, allows water to pass through. This is a plus - it’s easier to breathe indoors. But at the same time there is a minus - if the roof leaks, all the repairs will be in vain.
- Stretch ceiling. If you have a high attic floor, this solution will suit you. But, if it is low, it is better to choose a different material, since a suspended ceiling takes ten centimeters of height from the room. But it looks beautiful, can take fancy shapes, and is produced different colors. Ideal for modern styles.
- Plasterboard ceiling. The same solution for a high attic - it takes the same ten centimeters. It looks good, can be painted any color, take any shape. The main disadvantage is that it is afraid of moisture, it will swell and warp, if anything happens.
- Fabric ceiling. Unlike stretch ceiling, this design “breathes”. The atmosphere in the room is healthier. Not afraid of water, looks good.
You can paint it by hand if you know how to hold a brush.
Advice
You should choose a material for the ceiling not only depending on your tastes, but also depending on how much you believe that the roof will not leak. If you are completely confident in it, you can make it tension or plasterboard. If not, it is better to choose paint or plaster that can be easily replaced.
Walls
Walls are the second step in redecorating. Their finishing can be even more varied than the ceiling finishing:
Advice
The material for the walls should be chosen according to the general stylistic direction of the interior. Even if you came up with it yourself, some materials are better suited for it, others are worse.
Floor
The floor in the attic can also be covered with different materials. Among them:
- Tile. It lasts a long time, wears out very slowly, and looks good. But it's heavy. It is necessary to first calculate whether the ceilings will withstand it.
- Dye. Leaves a feeling of a hospital or other public institution, but if you put a carpet on top, it will not be visible. But it is inexpensive and easy to repair, if necessary.
- Linoleum. It wears out quickly and fades over time. But it’s cheap, looks nice and is easy to replace if necessary.
- Laminate. Worth putting it in if you want wooden floor, but you are afraid for the integrity of the roof. It is cheaper than parquet, easier to install, easier to change, and does not require as much care. And it looks no worse.
You should not put tiles on the floor in the attic. natural stone and parquet.
Advice
If you are going to buy tiles, look at the markings to make sure they are not too slippery - otherwise you increase the chance of injury.
Window
And, of course, we must not forget about skylights- they can also be different. There are:
- Repeating roof slope. Such windows look appropriate, they have a high throughput - on the attic floor it will be light and cozy most of the day. They do not require any special manipulations before insertion.
Advice
When buying a window, make sure that it will be convenient to set it to ventilation mode.
And also remember that only roller blinds that are attached to the frame are suitable for horizontal and sloping windows.
Purpose
The rest - furniture, finishing nuances, accessories - depends on what you plan to use the attic for. It may contain:
- Cabinet. If you don't like to be disturbed while working, an office in the attic is a great solution. Place the table by the window, install electricity and enjoy your privacy - it will be difficult for your family to reach you and they will think ten times before distracting you.
- . If you have reliable floors and good sound insulation, in the attic you can arrange Gym. Hang mirrors on the walls, install a couple of basic exercise machines, or make room for dance training. The main thing is to make sure that jumping in the attic below will not cause the ceiling to swing.
- Library. The attic is the perfect place for it; it will be especially good to read when it’s raining, listening to the sound of drops on the roof. The main thing is that the shelves must be resistant to moisture, otherwise if the roof leaks, you have a chance of losing your entire collection.
A billiard room, a home theater, a storage room for supplies - literally anything can be placed in the attic, even a greenhouse or a darkroom for photographs.
Advice
Before you start furnishing the attic, draw its plan on paper, and then build it in a special program that designers use. If the result satisfies you, you can bring it to life.
You can choose any colors for the interior, but cold and light ones are usually recommended - with them even the lowest ceiling will seem higher.
Probably the best way to increase usable area of your own home is to replace the gable roof of the house with a mansard one. This way you can buy one, two or even three additional rooms, without carving out additional space on the site and without getting involved in the very labor-intensive processes of pouring a new foundation and erecting walls. And to find out how to make an attic correctly, you need to consider all the stages of its arrangement, starting with calculations and ending with roof covering and finishing of the resulting additional rooms.
In order for all the work to be successful, first of all you need to make sure that the existing walls (if the superstructure is being built in an old house) are able to withstand the additional load. This factor will determine whether such a construction project is worth undertaking, and if so, which attic roof design would be best to choose.
It should be noted that the load on load-bearing walls will increase significantly - due to a larger number of rafters, due to the mass of interior decoration of walls and floors, windows and doors, insulation systems, as well as all elements of the interior filling of attic rooms. All of these factors indicate that you need to start with choosing the optimal attic design, carrying out calculations, drawing up a project and drawings of the future superstructure.
Types of attic superstructures
According to current building regulations An attic is considered to be a room under the roof that has a height from the ceiling to the ridge of at least 2500 mm. If this parameter is less than the specified limit, then the room is considered an ordinary attic.
- If the vertical posts that determine the height of the walls of the room are 1500 mm in size, then the attic space can be considered a full floor.
- A semi-attic is an attic space in which there are no vertical posts at all, or if they have a height of 500 to 700 mm.
The basis of any roof structure is always triangles with their “rigid” structure There are several types of attic superstructures, but the most popular of them are high gable and broken structures. Their popularity can be explained by simpler calculations, relatively simple installation work and ease of use. In third place, after gable and broken structures, we can name a single-pitch roof option, which is also sometimes used for arranging an attic. Unfortunately, not every house design can use this type of superstructure, since it requires not only reconstruction of the roof, but also raising the already built walls, which significantly increases the load on both them and the foundation.
If a new house is being built and a second floor in the form of an attic is planned, then a pitched roof option is well suited for this purpose. In addition, this will help save on roofing material.
More complex structures - domed, hipped, and also with various cantilever projections arranged in the roof slopes (single-level and multi-level) are used extremely rarely and only in exclusive projects, since they have a complex design both in engineering calculations and in installation.
The figure below the numbers shows:
1 – Gable attic.
2 – Broken attic
3 – Single-level cantilever attic
4 – Multi-level attic.
Gable attic
Attic space under d a vuskat roof, which is arranged at an angle between the slopes of 80 ÷ 90 degrees at the ridge, can easily be converted into an attic. To create full-fledged residential premises under it, it will be necessary to carry out a number of necessary reconstructions, for example, very often it cannot be done without strengthening attic floor. All these alterations and plus to this - necessary insulation will certainly “eat up” a significant part of the usable space under the roof, so you should not expect that the rooms in such an attic will be spacious and with high ceilings.
Of course, if the dimensions (length and width) of the house are large enough, and the roof has a significant angle of inclination (45 degrees or even higher), then after the alterations you can count on a relatively spacious attic space.
broken roof
The room under the sloping attic roof will be much more spacious and with enough high ceiling. Such an attic can be easily divided into two separate rooms.
Interior of an attic made according to the “broken” type The sloping roof has four planes of slopes. They are placed at different angles - the upper slopes are called ridge slopes, and the lower ones are called side slopes. They, for the most part, act as walls.
This type of mansard roof is somewhat more difficult to design and install, but the result will delight you with spacious rooms and a respectable appearance of the house.
Single-level cantilever attic
This type of attic has an even more complex design than the previous one, as it involves displacement attic space one way or the other.
Using this option for installing an attic, you can get spacious rooms, much larger in area than under a pitched roof.
The design of a single-level attic roof can replicate not only a gable, but also a single-slope version - this will depend on how much it is planned to move the console out of the attic and raise its ceiling.
Multi-level add-on
Multi-level construction is the most difficult to design and install. The help of qualified specialists will definitely be needed in its development and construction. The supports for the levels of the attic rooms are various rafter systems and ceilings, which are combined with the main one. A multi-level system involves the arrangement of rooms at different levels attic space, which is why the consoles should be located this way.
Having chosen the most desirable type of attic, you need to determine whether it is possible to install it on the old walls of the house, or whether they will have to be strengthened. Therefore, you need to make accurate calculations and draw up a project.
Roof truss basics
Most roofs, and attic roofs are no exception, have one of two types of rafter systems, or a combination of them. Each of these varieties has its own characteristics, which depend on the location of the load-bearing walls of the building.
Hanging system
A hanging rafter system is defined by the fact that it is supported only by two outer capital walls, located along the length of the building, in which there are no internal capital partitions.
Such a system is used provided that the distance between the main supports is no more than 13 ÷ 14 meters. In any case, this design puts a fairly large load on the walls and foundation of the building.
To weaken the loads in this system, various support structures are used. elements - crossbars, headstocks, struts, tightening, racks and other parts.
For example, the headstocks seem to suspend the entire system from the ridge beam using a tightening rod, and the struts pull the overlapping beams to the rafter legs.
For the attic floor in this system, it is necessary to use thick bars, logs or boards that are installed on the edge. Their thickness can be determined from the table given in this publication, taking as a basis the distance between the support points.
In order for the ceiling to be reliable and durable when using a hanging system, you need to make accurate calculations, and if it is difficult to do this yourself, then it is better
Layered design
The layered system is distinguished by the fact that it has supports not only on the external main walls, but also on internal partitions, which have a foundation.
Therefore, when starting the construction of a house in which an attic is planned, you need to think in advance about the location of the internal capital partitions.
For a house with an attic, a layered system is the best option, since the beams covering the house will be firmly and securely fixed to the walls and partitions.
When constructing a broken attic roof structure, you can use a combined version of the rafter system, that is, use elements of both a hanging and layered system.
Attic design
When drawing up a project for the construction of any type of attic, it is recommended to consider it in different projections in order to clearly determine the location of all supporting elements. When calculating all the parameters of the attic, they must be immediately included in the project.
Based on the calculations made, the locations and methods of installation of all structural elements of the rafter system are determined. Calculation is also necessary to accurately determine the materials needed for the construction of the attic and their parameters.
Design elements
Any of wooden structures The attic roof consists of certain elements that are connected to each other by connecting nodes having different configurations. To better understand the design of these connections, it is recommended to draw each of them, and when carrying out installation work, be sure to have this drawing on hand.
The design of a sloping mansard roof includes the following components of the system:
- Mauerlat - element, made from wooden beams and laid on the main walls of the building in its length. It serves to evenly distribute the load from the rafter system structure onto the wall and foundation. Rafter legs are installed and secured to the Mauerlat. This element is mounted both in a gable and in a sloping attic roof structure.
- Floor beams, which are laid on the main walls of the building and form the basis for the future attic floor and the ceiling of the first floor, as well as for the installation of the entire rafter system.
- The rafter leg consists of one straight element - bar or boards in a gable roof, or from two parts - in a broken structure. In a sloping attic roof, the upper part, fixed to the ridge, is called the ridge, and the lower part, which forms the walls of the attic, is called the side. Obviously, the side leg will be installed according to the layered principle, while the upper ridge rafter usually becomes hanging
- For the ridge, a beam or board of a certain thickness is used. Sometimes they do without this by connecting the upper ridge parts of the rafter legs, which form the ridge.
- Racks are the supporting elements of the system. They support the rafter legs and relieve some of the load from the walls and foundation of the building. The racks will later become the sheathing for the walls, which will be installed during the finishing of the attic.
- Bevels or other elements installed diagonally are additional supports that fasten the rafters and supporting beams, making the design of the system more reliable.
- Between the rafter legs, for rigidity, bars are installed, called inter-rafter purlins - they also give rigidity to the system.
Carrying out basic calculations of the attic
It is quite difficult to independently develop a mansard roof project, since this process requires certain knowledge and skills in designing and carrying out specific architectural calculations. If you make mistakes, the attic structure will be unreliable, and in addition, its weight can damage the walls and foundation of the building.
Everything must be taken into account in the calculations - from the beginning of construction to the finishing of the premises. However, if the design is not too complex, then you can try to cope on your own.
Calculation of ridge height
Size usable area attic space depends on the height of the roof ridge, and the latter is determined by the selected slope of the slopes - the smaller this angle, the lower the ceiling and, accordingly, the smaller effective area attic space.
N=L× tgα
N— ridge height;
L- ½ the width of the building (if we are talking about a gable symmetrical roof);
α - angle of inclination of the rafter system slope.
Diagram - for clarity As an example, you can substitute the data used in the formula above:
Building size 8×10 m, slope angle 30°, tangent 30°= 0.58
H = 8/2 × 0.58 = 2.32 m
The height of the ridge will be equal to 2,32 m.
The process and all other related parameters are described in great detail, with all possible nuances and necessary reference tables, from a separate publication devoted specifically to this issue.
Attic interior space area
The method used to determine the area of the attic space will make it possible to calculate the amount of material required for the construction of the rafter system, for insulation and finishing. Particularly accurate calculations are important if the attic will be used to furnish additional living rooms, as they require special design.
Usually the entire area of the room under the roof is calculated, that is, both useful and the so-called "deaf". The living space is limited by installed racks, which will be the basis for the installation and finishing material of the walls. The area behind them is considered deaf, that is, most often not used.
The total area is calculated quite simply: the width of the overhangs on both sides is added to the width of the building. The resulting amount is multiplied by the length of the building.
The area of the living space is also easy to find: to do this, you need to measure the width of the attic space between the racks installed under one and the other roof slope, and multiply the resulting parameter by the length of the attic from gable to gable.
Roofing area
In order to determine in advance the amount of roofing material, it is necessary to calculate the total area of the roof slopes.
If you decide to install a broken or even more complex structure, you need to calculate the area of all sections of the roof. To do this, it needs to be divided into separate geometric figures, and then calculate the area of each of them and add up the results.
For those who do not firmly remember the formulas for calculating the areas of flat figures, a diagram is provided - a “cheat sheet”.
Shed roof area
If the attic roof is pitched, then its area can be calculated using the formula: Sabcd = Lcd × Lbd.
The area of one slope - nothing could be simpler Pay attention to the picture. When calculating, not only the length and width of the rafter structure of the slope are taken into account - we must not forget about the eaves overhangs on all sides.
Gable roof
With a symmetrical arrangement of roof slopes, to calculate a gable roof, all that remains is to multiply the value obtained above by two.
For example, let's take the same example discussed above. The size of the building is 10×8 m. The angle of the slope is 30°, the height of the ridge H = 2.32 m. It is easy to determine the length of the rafters - S
S = Н / sin α = 2.32 / 0.5 = 4.64 m
We accept cornice overhang 0,7 m, gable overhang 0,7 m. Using the formula for a pitched roof, the area of one slope is calculated.
(10 + 2×0.7) × (4.64 + 0.7) = 60.88 m²
Then, to get the total area of the two slopes, the resulting result is multiplied by two.
Q = 121.76 m²
This technique is intended for calculating the continuous surface of slopes, without taking into account windows, ventilation ducts and chimneys.
If the roof has a very complex structure, then it is better not to take risks and still seek help from professionals who will make the necessary calculations using special computer applications.
When using slate, soft roofing, and other profile materials, you can use a simplified calculation formula.
Let's start from the picture:
So, the following formula is applicable for calculation:
Q= K × (B + 2A) × (L+2C)
Q— the required amount of roofing;
IN — width of the building (along the gable wall);
A— the width of the planned roof eaves;
L- total length of the building;
C- width of the side overhangs of the roof.
TO is a coefficient that takes into account the angle of inclination of the slope relative to the horizon (α). By and large, it is a trigonometric function secant (sec), equal to the reciprocal of cosα.
In order not to go deep into theory, it’s easier to give a table of the coefficient TO in absolute, that is, numerical dimension:
| Tilt angle, degrees | Factor K | Tilt angle, degrees | Factor K | Tilt angle, degrees | Factor K | Tilt angle, degrees | Factor K |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1.0002 | 18 | 1.0515 | 36 | 1.2361 | 53 | 1.6616 |
| 2 | 1.0006 | 19 | 1.0576 | 37 | 1.2521 | 54 | 1.7013 |
| 3 | 1.0014 | 20 | 1.0642 | 38 | 1.2690 | 55 | 1.7434 |
| 4 | 1.0024 | 21 | 1.0711 | 39 | 1.2868 | 56 | 1.7883 |
| 5 | 1.0038 | 22 | 1.0785 | 40 | 1.3054 | 57 | 1.8361 |
| 6 | 1.0055 | 23 | 1.0864 | 41 | 1.3250 | 58 | 1.8871 |
| 7 | 1.0075 | 24 | 1.0946 | 42 | 1.3456 | 59 | 1.9416 |
| 8 | 1.0098 | 25 | 1.1034 | 43 | 1.3673 | 60 | 2.0000 |
| 9 | 1.0125 | 26 | 1.1126 | 44 | 1.3902 | 61 | 2.0627 |
| 10 | 1.0154 | 27 | 1.1223 | 45 | 1.4142 | 62 | 2.1301 |
| 11 | 1.0187 | 28 | 1.1326 | 46 | 1.4396 | 63 | 2.2027 |
| 12 | 1.0223 | 29 | 1.1434 | 47 | 1.4663 | 64 | 2.2812 |
| 13 | 1.0263 | 30 | 1.1547 | 48 | 1.4945 | 65 | 2.3662 |
| 14 | 1.0306 | 31 | 1.1666 | 49 | 1.5243 | 66 | 2.4586 |
| 15 | 1.0353 | 32 | 1.1792 | 50 | 1.5557 | 67 | 2.5593 |
| 16 | 1.0403 | 33 | 1.1924 | 51 | 1.5890 | 68 | 2.6695 |
| 17 | 1.0457 | 34 | 1.2062 | 52 | 1.6243 | 69 | 2.7904 |
| 35 | 1.2208 | 70 | 2.9238 |
Let's return to our example:
Q= 1.1547 × (8 + 2 × 0.7) × (10+2 × 0.7) = 123.74 m²
Taking into account overlaps slate sheets - the result is almost the same as in calculations carried out by another method. Of course, on the advice of experienced builders, another 10 ÷ 15 should be added to the resulting area when purchasing roofing material %
(The figure shows a gable roof, however, the formula is fully suitable for calculations with the required level of accuracy for single-pitch or hip roofs. However, with a caveat - for a hip roof, the steepness of the main and side slopes must match. If not, then the calculation is carried out for each couples of stingrays separately, and then the value is summed).
Total weight of troping system and roofing
It is equally important to choose wisely optimal material for the roofing and correctly make the sheathing for it. This calculation is carried out taking into account the length of the rafters and their slope angle.
The lathing for roofing material can be sparse, mixed or solid. For example, metal tiles, corrugated sheets or slate are fixed to a sparse sheathing, and soft roof- only for continuous.
When choosing a roof, you need to obtain information about its performance characteristics. The durability and reliability of the roof structure will depend on them. Roofing material must also be selected taking into account the specific region and its climatic conditions, especially factors such as temperature changes and strong winds.
An important factor is the weight of the roofing, especially if the attic roof is installed on old walls. Therefore, you should estimate the weight of the roof in advance and find out how much the load on the building structure will increase, and whether it will be acceptable.
| Roofing material for attic roof | Roof slope | Material weight kg/m² |
|---|---|---|
| Asbestos cement slate sheets with medium profile | From 1:10 to 1:2 | 11 |
| Slate with reinforced profile | From 1:5 to 1:1 | 13 |
| Bituminous shingles | From 1:10 and more | 6 - 8 |
| Soft roofing with continuous sheathing | From 1:10 and more | 9 - 15 |
| Galvanized metal sheets with single folds | From 1:4 and more | 3 - 6,5 |
| Double folded | From 1:5 and more | 3 - 6,5 |
| Ceramic tiles | From 1:5 to 1:0.5 | 50 - 60 |
| Cement-sand tiles | From 1:5 to 1:0.5 | 45 - 70 |
| Metal tiles | From 1:5 and more | 5 - 7 |
| Ondulin | From 1:10 and more | 3 - 3,5 |
Most often, soft roofing or ondulin is used to cover attics, since these materials are among those that have the lightest weight and are easy to install.
For example, you can calculate the weight of 1 square meter of roofing, where ondulin is used for covering, taking into account the sheathing and insulation - sprayed polyurethane foam. To do this, you need to find the sum of the weight of each of the materials and multiply by a factor of 1.1 (this factor takes into account the overlap on adjacent sheets of roofing material).
- The weight of a flat sheathing, 20 mm thick (plywood or OSB) is 14 kg/m².
- Insulation – polyurethane foam, 100 mm thick, has an average weight of 3 kg/m²
- The average weight of ondulin is 3.3 kg/m²
We get in total:
(14 + 3 + 3.3) × 1.1=22.3kg/m²
To calculate the total weight load of the roof on the walls, you need to multiply the weight of one square meter by the area of the entire covering. In our example this will work:
M = 123.74 × 22.3 = 2751.82 kg.
A lot - almost 3 tons - is provided only by a very light roof covering with sheathing and also a very light type of insulation.
But this is not all! Effective on the roof snow loads in winter, plus wind pressure, year-round. These parameters are also necessarily taken into account when calculating the necessary wooden structural elements of the rafter system and floor beams, and when taking into account the total load of the roof structure on the walls and foundation of the building.
— Then, the entire system is covered with a vapor barrier film, which is secured to the joists with staples.
— Boards or plywood sheets can be laid on top of it.
— Decorative covering is laid on them - it can be linoleum, laminate, parquet board and other materials.
Additional insulation can be created by laying electric cable or infrared heated floors under the decorative covering. It is better to read about these possibilities separately in the article dedicated to
- If the floor is mounted on floor beams, you will have to work from the side of the first floor.
— On the side of the lower room, boards are mounted on the floor beams. It is desirable that they be smooth; you can even use a floorboard for the subfloor.
— After that, a vapor barrier film is laid on these boards from the attic side, which will cover not only the subfloor, but also the floor beams.
— Another layer of vapor barrier is laid on top of it and attached to the beams.
- Then, logs are attached to this covering perpendicular to the beams.
— Another layer of insulation is installed between the joists; it is better to choose mineral wool for it, since it, when straightened, fits tightly between the bars, leaving no voids.
— Then it should also be covered with a vapor barrier material.
If you decide to cover the floor with one of the decorative coverings, then plywood sheets are laid on top of the logs, and then laminate, linoleum or other materials are laid on them. Again, nothing prevents you from using, for example, film floor heating in this case.
Installation of insulation on the walls and ceiling of the attic
Having finished installing the floor, you can proceed to installing the insulation on the walls.
— If material in mats is chosen for this process, then before laying it, sheets of vapor barrier material are fixed to the rafters.
It is fixed in such a way as to cover the entire space and deepen it between the rafters.
If the vapor barrier is fixed on the other side of the rafters, then the mats will independently adhere between two wooden surfaces.
— If one of them is selected, then there is no need to attach a vapor barrier film under it. Waterproofing, which is laid on the rafters on the outside of the structure, will be sufficient.
Spraying polyurethane foam - quickly and efficiently, but requires special equipment and work skills To use this insulation technology, you must have special technological equipment, or you will have to invite a specialist who will do the work in one day. It is not easy to carry out this operation on your own without experience - in order to complete the work without harming your health, you need to know the technology of the process and have the necessary protective equipment.
After insulation works, wall cladding is being carried out.
Prices for popular types of insulation
Insulation
Attic wall decoration
Before you start decorating the walls, it is necessary to resolve the issue of electrical wiring, the cable of which must be well insulated using double-layer corrugated pipes.
Once the electrical cable has been laid out, you can safely begin installing the finishing material.
For finishing, they usually use wooden lining, plasterboard or plywood with a beautiful textured pattern.
For any of the above materials, preferably on rafter legs and vertical racks make a sheathing from slats with a cross-sectional size of approximately 20 × 70 mm. These guides are fixed in increments of 500 ÷ 600 mm. In addition to the fact that the sheathing of slats becomes the basis for attaching the finishing, it also forms a ventilation gap between the finishing material and the vapor barrier.
- made quite simply. It makes the walls smooth and neat, ready for painting, pasting with traditional wallpaper or even applying liquid wallpaper.
Therefore, plasterboard finishing should be chosen by those homeowners who like to frequently change the interior design of their premises.
- Finishing walls with clapboard is a longer and more labor-intensive process than. For such cladding, a lathing with the above parameters is also perfect. The only thing you need to think about is the direction of the lining boards, that is, it should be located vertically with the sheathing oriented horizontally and vice versa.
If desired, after installation the wood can be coated with water-based varnish or given a deeper color using stain.
Wood is an amazing material that can create indoors. special atmosphere with the aroma of the forest, which has a positive effect on the structure and well-being of residents. That is why natural lining is very often chosen for cladding the floor, walls and ceiling of the attic.
Video: insulating an attic space and finishing it with clapboard
- You can come up with a wonderful finish using plywood. But only if it will not be covered with paint on top, then you need to choose a high-quality material that has a beautiful natural pattern. Plywood is installed much faster than lining, and makes the walls even, covering large surfaces at once.
This material can be covered with varnish, paint or any type of wallpaper, but you can leave the walls in their natural state, only by carefully cleaning out possible defects in the form of protruding splinters or burrs.
Building an attic is a rather labor-intensive and complex process that requires high experience in the construction craft. If no one has any idea about the above-described technological operations, then you shouldn’t undertake it yourself - it’s better to invite professional craftsmen to carry out the work. They will save you from unnecessary problems and will build the attic according to the project conceived by the owner of the house.
Video: example of construction and finishing of an attic
About attic premises, many residents then still Soviet Union we learned from foreign films - it’s incredible, people live in attics, and they also have what they call capitalism. Capitalism has reached us, and with it, attics have become fashionable. So the question of how to equip an attic in a country house or in a private house is worrying more and more people today.
However, fashion has nothing to do with it; arranging an attic in the first place means obtaining additional working and living space. Taking into account the cost per square meter of new buildings and secondary housing, especially in large cities, an attic can also be a very profitable investment.
However, in spirit, such a room is closest to creative people: a squat ceiling, slanting walls. Just like in a hobbit hole. By the way, for the first time they began converting attics into living quarters in France, and very soon most of the bohemians fell in love with attics: some lived there, others rented them for workshops, fortunately, the space was one of the most inexpensive due to the low level of comfort.
But today it is possible to furnish an attic no worse than any other room, both in terms of comfort and quality of furniture. You should start with insulation and installation of plasterboard structures. Please note that they will take up a lot of space on all sides - the insulation layer in this case should be at least 10 cm, and this despite the fact that some of the materials can be hidden between the rafters. Drywall will be added to the insulation, then there will probably be finishing material... In a word, at least 20 cm will have to be taken away from all sides and from the attic ceiling.
If after this there is very little space left, you may have to start with more capital works, namely alterations of the rafter system. Restructuring also threatens you if you decide to install ordinary windows - since they must stand exclusively vertically, in the case of inclined walls you will have to make special extensions, or, conversely, go deeper into the roof. However, the first option is more preferable, since the area of the room is already small.
True, there is another way, an easier one, without take-outs and the like - installing special roof windows. They have increased strength and are protected from leaks, so they can be easily installed at any angle. In addition, such windows let in significantly more light.
One way or another, in the attic there will be quite a lot of unused space in the far corners, where not only standing, even sitting will be uncomfortable. However, equipment, cabinets for small items, and tools will fit there completely freely. To make this space easier to maintain and to prevent dust from accumulating there, use drywall to create many niches of different sizes.
To prevent attic walls from appearing gloomy on rainy days, avoid using dark wallpaper or paints. In addition, all finishing materials should be as light as possible. Therefore, most often plasterboard, paint, wallpaper, and lining are used for finishing. For example, it is better not to use ceramic tiles - they are too heavy. The chimney can be decorated bookshelves, or use useful space to display family photos that don't have space in other rooms.
Beds are usually located in low places, desks, coffee tables. The attic space does not and cannot have any specific purpose - it can easily be converted into a gym or workshop, and children will be delighted if they are placed at the very top of the house. If you are planning to build an attic in your country house, where the whole family usually gathers, it is better to make an additional bedroom upstairs.
In each case, the design of the room must be carefully planned, because it must fulfill aesthetic functions, as well as be comfortable.
Decorating the attic for the bedroom should begin with choosing a place for the bed. On the one hand, it is logical to place the bed in the lowest place, because you will still be lying down. However, not everyone can stand hanging walls above them; in addition, getting out of bed can be difficult. Therefore, in some cases it is better to place the bed in the middle of the room.
How to equip an attic that is barely taller than average? Remove the legs and place the bed or mattress directly on the floor. You've probably insulated it - you definitely won't be cold, but lying on the bed, the attic will seem unusually high to you. By the way, you can also unscrew the legs of the bedside tables, place them along the shelves that are supposed to be on the wall, and then the problem of a low ceiling and slanted walls will practically cease to be felt.
If the ceiling is too low, chandeliers are out of the question. Lighting can be done using ceiling fillets, inside of which LEDs are installed, or you can do without wall lamps. Without a chandelier, the ceiling will seem higher, and you won’t have to dodge it every time.
The bedroom doesn't have to be strictly for adults. Children will certainly really enjoy living in an unusual room under the very roof. It is better to place children's beds at a distance so that children have personal space. If you want to make a children's room upstairs, you should take care of a comfortable and safe staircase, and also come up with an interesting and simple method of communication with the child, especially if your bedroom is located in another corner of the house. For example, buy real walkie-talkies - children will love talking to you in the style of spy detectives, and they can always call you if they get scared during a thunderstorm.
The attic is a very suitable place for arranging a study or creative workshop. Here you can also arrange a home library; fortunately, there will be plenty of niches and shelves. It is best to place a desk or work desk by the window; you can put a comfortable sofa nearby - there will be a place to shelter an old friend who has dropped in for a cup of tea.
There is no need to think that the attic space occupies some secondary place in the house. If the attic turns out to be large and high enough, why not make a living room there! True, in this case you need to approach the question carefully - will it be convenient to deliver snacks upstairs when guests arrive, how far is the bathroom? Perhaps the room is too small for a living room, then why not place a home theater here and enjoy watching a movie with the whole family, sitting comfortably on the sofas.
If both the living room and the cinema in your home have long found their rightful place, there is one room that absolutely everyone will probably need - a dressing room! Here we can store out-of-season items, hang all our shirts, suits, and blouses. You can place shoes in the niches and place an ironing board under the window. And be sure to have a full-length mirror, or at least the entire wall, if it allows it, of course.
In fact, the attic will be the largest room in your home. There you can arrange a study, a bedroom, and a home theater. And so that all this does not interfere with each other, you can use numerous design tricks for zoning space. In this case, there will be no need to make partitions, otherwise the attic will turn into a pile of closets. To separate your workspace from the bedroom, place a shelving unit between the table and the bed, and highlight the seating area with a bright carpet or other wallpaper.
The attic allows you to significantly expand the usable area of the house. At the same time, the arrangement of the under-roof floor can be carried out even in an already finished building. At the same time, financial expenses will be relatively small, because the basic necessary structures will already be present, and with the implementation of all necessary measures you can handle it on your own.
Preparatory activities
First of all, you must make sure that the foundation of the house can withstand the additional load from the attic floor. If necessary, the foundation must be strengthened or an attempt must be made to transfer new loads to a separate foundation. At this stage, you may need professional help.
Solve the issue of attic design. The under-roof floor can have a variety of shapes. In this case, the internal space of the room is determined by the features of the roof structure.
The attic roof must be designed in a special way. You will have to get rid of old rafters and related materials by replacing them new system, designed taking into account the upcoming loads, angle of inclination and other important design features.
Thus, truss structure must be calculated and designed separately, specifically for your attic floor.
The most optimal roofing structure for the attic floor is a broken line gable roof. A gable roof will place a much greater load on the walls compared to a lean-to system. However, a more convenient roof option for attic floor you won't find it.
At the same time, a broken roof will “eat up” the least amount of free space in the attic compared to all other types of roofs.
It is important that the gable roof has a sufficient number of load-bearing supports. Typically, layered rafters are used to construct such a roof. In this case, the elements of the rafter system must rest on load-bearing walls that can normally withstand incoming vertical and horizontal loads.
Before starting construction, decide what area the under-roof floor should have, whether you will insulate it and whether you need to install heating in the attic.
In accordance with your own preferences, draw up (order, find in open sources) an attic project with sketches, drawings, calculations and explanations.
The design documentation should reflect the following important features of the attic:
- the presence of additional partitions and load-bearing walls;
- quantity window openings;
- features of the internal structure of the roof;
- type of roofing material, etc.
After this, calculate the required amount of materials for arranging the attic. It is best to make an attic using the same materials from which the structure itself is built (brick, blocks, etc.).
If you plan to use the attic exclusively for seasonal living, you can make it from more budget-friendly materials. Typically, wood is used in such situations. This material goes well with most existing building materials and is perfect for furnishing an attic.
Start setting up wooden frame– roof basics. Select suitable locations for placing the blocks needed for arranging the partitions.
First you will need to lay out the exterior and gable walls. Proceed with the arrangement of the attic roof only after the construction of the house itself has been completed.
To assemble the frame, use a high-quality wooden beam measuring 15x5 cm. When performing each stage of the work, be guided by the sketches and drawings you have. It is impossible to explain everything solely in words.
First step
Strengthen the existing structure with slings. To strengthen the purlins, use special support blocks in the shape of the letter U. The blocks are installed and filled with cement mortar. This strengthening will prevent further cracking of the walls.
Second step
Build solid gable walls and begin building the attic. After installing all necessary walls start installing the elements of the rafter system.
Third step
Install the rafters according to project documentation and make sure the installed system is reliable.
First you need to install the purlins, and only after that fix the rafters. First you need to lay out the stepped wall slopes, and then arrange the partitions of the attic floor. Be sure to make sure that the elements of the rafter system are evenly positioned.
Fourth step
Align the slopes of the gable walls using a band saw.
Fifth step
Nail batten boards to the rafters to install the insulating material. Secure the waterproofing, insulation and vapor barrier, and then lay another layer of boards on top of the waterproofing.
Sixth step
Lay the chosen one on the crate finishing coat. It is better that the finishing roofing material is as reliable and high quality as possible, so that the attic is cozy, warm and safe.
After completing work on the walls and roof of the attic, proceed to insulation and interior design under-roof room.
A wide variety of materials can be used to insulate the attic. For example, mineral wool insulation, expanded polystyrene, all kinds of blocks, etc. are very suitable for performing such work. One of the most preferred thermal insulation materials is fiberboard. Using this material as an example, the procedure for insulating an attic room will be considered.
In the case of using slabs with a thickness of 1.2 cm, the thermal insulation characteristics of such insulation will be similar to the properties of a wall laid in brick, or finishing made of boards about 5 cm thick.
In addition, the slabs have good noise insulation properties. Factory treatment with antiseptic preparations makes the material resistant to adverse external factors, and the relatively low price allows almost everyone to buy such slabs.
On one side the slabs have a slightly corrugated texture, and on the other they are smooth. To cut slabs, you can use an ordinary sharp knife. The material is not particularly afraid of temperature and humidity changes. At the same time, work on thermal insulation of surfaces using fiberboard will not take much effort and time.
Finally, you can glue wallpaper to the smooth side of the fiberboard (the smooth side is the front side) or do another finishing at your own discretion.
Walls
Traditionally, thermal insulation work begins with insulating the walls. It is enough to fix the slabs with nails. First, duralumin plates should be placed under the fastener heads. Place the nails themselves staggered.
If the walls are not made of wood, you may need to use other fasteners. Focus on the situation.
To attach slabs to plastered surfaces, you can also use PVA glue or various kinds adhesive mastics.
Ceiling
At the stage of covering the ceiling, try to enlist the support of at least one assistant - the slabs have quite big size and attaching them alone is not particularly convenient.
The cladding is carried out according to an extremely simple scheme: the slab is carefully applied to the fastening point and fixed using T-supports made of boards, nails and duralumin plates. Wear safety glasses at this stage.
The floor can be insulated using two methods.
In accordance with the first method, the surface is first covered with a double layer of roofing material, after which fiberboard is fixed on top, and then the finished floor is installed.
In accordance with the second option, fiberboard slabs are nailed to the floor, and carpet is glued on top of them. This coating is very convenient. For additional convenience, it is recommended to impregnate it with a special composition that makes further care behind the carpet are lighter.
Before gluing the carpet, it must be unrolled and kept in the room for 7-10 days. Fiberboard boards are pre-coated with glue. After gluing the fiberboard, you need to additionally press it to the surface using boards and leave to dry for a day.
In conclusion, all you have to do is carry out a number of works on the internal improvement of the attic. Start from the ceiling.
Ceiling
The best option is to install a light suspended ceiling. Lining is well suited for the construction of such a structure. You can also use hardboard, plywood or other suitable materials.
It is more convenient to first make the ceiling to size, and then attach it to the crossbar of the truss.
Walls
Nail crossbars made of high-quality wooden beams to the rafter posts. Nail the selected finishing material to the frame. The best option is wooden lining.
Niches
In places where niches form (and they will definitely be present due to the peculiarities of the roofing structure), you can nail drywall or other suitable material, creating compact cabinets for storing various kinds of accessories.
Depending on the available space on the attic floor, you can arrange a bedroom, study, or children's room. Focus on the specifics of your situation.
Lighting
Consider the procedure for arranging the attic lighting. The best option is to organize local lighting for each corner of the room. This way the interior of the attic will be most expressive.
In matters of furnishing and further arrangement of the under-roof floor, be guided by your needs and capabilities.
Good luck!
Video - Do-it-yourself attic construction
Chief Editor
Ideas for decorating an attic with your own hands
Arrangement of the attic floor is a creative task, requiring a creative approach and very extraordinary thinking. The reason for this is the complex geometry of the roof, slopes, rafters; these features do not allow the room to be decorated according to standard standards.
Despite the difficulties, the arrangement of the attic, the photo is the most good decisions we have collected in the article, has a number of conceptual solutions that help to properly organize the space, select furniture, interior items, and decorations.
In this article we will tell you how to equip an attic with your own hands, following just a few rules, and turn a complex-shaped space into a comfortable and easy-to-use room where everything you need will fit, and you won’t have to hit your head on the bevels.
Finest hour
Which of us is in school years, diligently proving the Pythagorean theorem and calculating square roots, did not exclaim: “When will this be useful to me in life?!” Construction and arrangement of an attic is your finest hour, this is a chance to show off your knowledge and rational thinking. First of all, you should draw a plan of the attic and a cross section to scale.
The diagram will help you correctly zone the space and arrange the necessary furniture
Furniture
Whether it is a bedroom, living room, children's room, office, billiard room, the first thing you will have to face when arranging is the choice and placement of furniture. The slopes of the attic roof, a low inconvenient space that is difficult to fill and it is generally not clear what to place there. The task of arrangement is complicated by the rafters, which divide the entire attic floor into sections, making it difficult to place large items: a bed, a sofa, a large closet, a kitchen unit.
Graphic interpolation of the main dimensions in a typical attic with a slope: orange - 45 0, blue - 60 0, green - with a pediment of 600 mm
Of course, built-in furniture is ideal for arranging an attic; you can make it yourself or order it from a factory; it will be designed and manufactured according to your measurements, and it will fit exactly into the space, thus making maximum use of all areas.
Built-in furniture allows you to make maximum use of all the complex space in the attic
But this solution is not cheap, so to arrange the attic you have to use standard furniture, which should be selected according to size. But we should not forget that it must fit into the design of the attic. Any serial furniture has standard overall dimensions, see table, in mm:
| Position | Height | Width | Depth |
| Closet | 2000, 2100, 2400 | 450, 600, 900, 1200 | 450, 560, 600, 800 |
| Cabinet | 450, 600 | 400, 450, 600 | 400, 450, 600 |
| Dresser | 900, 1200 | 600, 900, 1200, 1500 | 450, 600, 800 |
| Sofa | 900 | 1500 – small-sized, 2000-2200 standard | 600-seat, 800-1000-overall size |
| Length | |||
| Dining table | 750 | 600, 800,1200 | 600, 800, 1200, 1500 |
| Desk | 750 | 800 | 1200, 1500, 1800 |
| Bed | 450-podium, 635 – regular, 1650 – two-tier | 900, 1400-1600, 1800-2000 | 1600-2200 |
For proper arrangement attic you need to know the standard sizes of furniture
Thus, it becomes clear that low furniture: bed, bedside tables will fit almost at the very bevel, there will be practically no empty space left. To place a sofa with a back, you will have to move it away from the slope by almost a meter, but it is better to place cabinets along the gables, and a work desk near the window, because there is more natural light.
How to arrange an attic, photo of the arrangement of furniture under the slopes, it is better to choose a sofa without a backrest and a wide seat
Advice: If you follow ergonomics, the recommended distance between the chair and coffee table 300 mm, height distance between shelves 180-400 mm, depth 150–300-450 mm. A dining table with chairs approximately occupies an area of 2*2 m.
The most common design technique in attic design is to place built-in cabinets and shelves along the slopes, this creates additional storage space and you can visually correct the geometry of the room.
At your dacha, you can do without any special furniture at all by arranging a relaxation area with mattresses and pillows in beautiful covers. Wicker garden furniture will look great in such an interior.
The furnishings of the room as a whole should contain everything you need, but not clutter up the space, so choose compact furniture; transformers that perform several functions at once are especially relevant.
Arrangement of the attic with your own hands, photos of homemade built-in wardrobes, which not only filled the awkward space under the slopes, but also straightened the shape of the room
Arrangement of the attic country house involves preserving the rustic flavor. Country style is most often used here; you can get by with knocked together wooden furniture, a soft carpet stylized as mown hay, and comfortable mattresses. The main thing in arranging such an attic is that all interior items are easy to care for, easy to shake out and clean.
Arranging an attic in a country house does not require large financial investments; for comfort it is enough to put together furniture with your own hands, put a soft carpet or a mattress for relaxation
Curtains and textiles
In the process of arranging an attic, a sense of proportion is necessary so that the already complex interior is not overloaded. This rule is very relevant when choosing curtains; slanted or straight roof windows in themselves are a decoration of the room, since they open beautiful view. In order not to spoil all the charm of the attic floor, avoid bulky, too pretentious curtains.
Arrangement of the attic floor, photo correct location furniture for work and relaxation in a small room
The design of a vertical roof window can be classic, but there is often a roof slope above the window, and a niche is formed in conjunction with the opening, in which case the standard solution will not help. To effectively fit a window into the interior you have to come up with original ideas, for example, if the window is located under a bevel, the curtain can be hung diagonally. A bending cornice is usually attached above round openings.
The design of the attic windows is a key point in the arrangement of the attic; they set the mood, dark curtains suggest sleep and authenticity, while light ones fill with light and air
As for textiles, in arranging the attic it is better to use light, airy fabrics that will let in a lot of light and sun. If there is a comfortable bedroom in the attic, it is recommended to hang day-night curtains. Roller blinds or blinds are suitable for arranging inclined windows; in a country house, in order to protect the home from barbarian attacks, it is recommended to install roller shutters on the remote control.
The photo shows an idea of how to equip a small attic, the distance between the vertical beams is filled with built-in furniture, niches are arranged in the plasterboard lining, such solutions allow you to place everything you need even in a small room
What creates comfort
Beautiful throws, pillows with original covers, ottomans of various shapes play a huge role in the arrangement of the attic; they do not take up space, but at the same time set the style of the room, adding warmth and color to the interior.
The arrangement of a wooden attic should emphasize the natural beauty and warmth of wood; the disadvantages of such structures can easily turn into advantages of the interior if you apply a little imagination
When decorating, try to use all the features of the room, for example, the arrangement of an attic in a wooden house is mainly based on deliberately emphasizing the texture of the wood, the beams stand out as a separate piece of furniture, the complex roof structure only emphasizes the originality of the space, all this in itself sets the style of the room.
Arrangement of a place to relax in a small attic with textiles
When arranging the attic, do not forget about paintings, photo frames, vases, original lamps, colored boxes. It is these cute little things that can breathe life into the attic and subtly emphasize the style and character of the owners. Be sure to look at the photo gallery, which contains different options for arranging an attic, perhaps some idea will inspire you to create your own unique interior.
The useful space under the roof above the first floor can always be used rationally. Why do you need non-residential cold attic When, with a reasonable approach, can it be turned into a full-fledged living space? The design of the attic will require attention and investment, as a result you get additional area, it can be turned into a bedroom, living room, office or cinema room. An insulated attic will save up to a quarter of the energy that is usually used to heat a house.
Second floor design
Previously, the attic was not intended for living. Later they began to place servants there. Today it has become fashionable to create living rooms under the roof itself.
If the rafter system needs to be reconstructed to equip the attic floor, the services of professionals may be required. When heating, ventilation and electricity are already present, you can think through the interior yourself.
Points to consider when creating the interior of a house with an attic:
- Mandatory insulation, the presence of all utilities. In matters of arrangement, you need to be very careful and be technically savvy in their decisions.
- It’s good to think about how to use walls, beams, and slopes in the interior of the room.
- It is rational to approach vertical windows or those located in skylights, with their help to achieve maximum illumination.
- In finishing, use those materials that show the greatest moisture resistance.
- Don't get carried away with a lot of furniture, unnecessary details, accessories, remember the rule: low ceilings require equally low furniture.
- Try to use natural finishing materials.
- Use the space rationally, in the process of being passionate about design development, and not make it more cramped.
Small attic
The modest size of the room is not an obstacle to creating a stylish interior. Sloping ceilings take up a large share of space. This can always be played up, the volume and area can be increased with the help of successful lighting, maximizing the height and width of window openings, and a harmonious color scheme.
Attic bedroom
Depending on the degree of inclination, the room under the roof is adapted for different purposes. With a low angle of inclination, the attic will be an ideal place to locate a bedroom. Her comfort and romance will only benefit, she will become quieter, warmer, through the windows you can admire the starry sky.
To decorate the space, they choose a traditional style and arrange it in an oriental or aristocratic manner. In any case, first you will have to start from the height of the room, do not chase large parts, and settle on more compact ones. First you will need to arrange the most necessary furniture, and fill the remaining space with other details.
When choosing finishes, they rely on the materials that were used in the design of the house. The bedroom will naturally look eco-style, where there is a lot of wood, classic wallpaper, which will emphasize beauty and comfort. Particular attention is paid to textiles. He will place accents and give a unique look.
What can be done if the ceiling in the room is very low? Even in such a situation, you can equip a cozy bedroom. A “tatami” bed will be the way out, and the entire interior should be designed in the style of oriental minimalism. The ceiling will visually rise if it is in light colors.
Living room in the attic
A cozy living room in the attic can be created with a minimum of effort. The main thing is that the guest room is spacious and solid. A carefully thought-out design can turn even a small room into a reception area for guests.
To visually expand the narrow volume of the attic, you need to strive for light colors in everything: use plastic, transparent glass furniture, and make the walls as light as possible.
The first rule for accessories will be the unity of all parts. For windows the best way Translucent fabrics are suitable. Thick curtains and blinds will look good.
The style of the living room should match your interests, mood, and be in harmony with the entire decoration of the house. Choose from the following areas:
- Classic. She is characterized by luxury and grace. You will need high-quality furniture, carpets, and chandeliers. The main decoration of the interior should be the fireplace area. There are no bright colors, everything is orderly.
- Modern modern. Functionality, simplicity, practicality. The atmosphere of the room is dominated by warm pastel shades, with dark elements present. All details are subordinated to harmony.
- Retro. The situation is typical for the end of the century before last. The living room is furnished with furniture and decorated with paintings from that time. Instead of a fireplace, you can build a cast iron stove or its stylization.
- Provence. A popular destination due to its sophistication and romance. The decoration and furniture are subordinated to antiquity. The room is warmed by warm southern tones.
- High tech. For modern lovers of creativity. Everything in decoration corresponds to the latest fashion. Lots of chrome and glass parts. Strict forms, monotony, minimalism.
Kitchen and dining room under roof
It’s great if this idea comes to your mind at the stage of laying the building. Arranging a kitchen will require appropriate communications. Not only light and insulation will be needed, but also gas and water supplies.
A well-thought-out attic interior with a kitchen and dining room can become as comfortable and beautiful as possible; the choice of style, furniture, and taking into account the nuances of the room layout, ceiling heights, and the shape of the floors are important.
Where the ceiling is sloping, place hob, install a sofa and a table with a sink. Give preference to modular systems, cabinets with inclined walls. The best option is multi-level furniture, preferably on wheels, no massive sets in the classic style. Avant-garde and techno functionality with bright color accents and unusual furniture will be more appropriate.
When designing a kitchen interior, you need to consider the following:
- Natural lighting will be best provided by large dormer windows;
- better buy furniture bright colors keep the walls and ceiling in pastel colors;
- with appropriate planning, kitchen furniture place against a wall that is perpendicular to the slope;
dining table it will be good by the window; - the colors of the kitchen and dining room areas should be combined with each other, even better if the contrasts between them are opposite.
The design of the windows on the attic floor, where the kitchen will be located, may dictate a complete lack of decor. The most convenient option would be roller blinds and blinds.
Children's room
“Dead zones”, inconvenient planning – these are the complaints that are usually made in the process of working on the design of the attic floor. In the case of a nursery, sloping walls and corners that are not entirely accessible can, on the contrary, create additional opportunities. Features of the relief of the walls and differences in ceiling heights can be well played out. Highly located windows are safer than traditional ones.
The first thing you need to think about is good insulation, harmlessness of all materials used, ease of planning.
The child will enjoy being the sole owner of a separate room, which he can inhabit at his own discretion. The room will be a good observation point away from close parental supervision. It is easy to organize several zones here: for relaxation, games, storage of many toys, things, and creative activities.
For a nursery, it is important to have an abundance of light and bright accents. Unusual furniture will fit well into the interior, colorful textiles on the sleeping places, all kinds of soft floor coverings, many interesting colorful lamps in different zones space.
Office, workshop or library
In a small private house it is always difficult to allocate a separate room for an office or workshop. In the former attic you can organize a cozy area for privacy, reading, and your favorite hobby. You don't need a lot of space, just a few square meters is enough. If there are no restrictions in meters, impressive bookshelves will fit here, soft sofa or a fluffy rug with many cozy pillows for relaxation, a rocking chair in a separate corner with a floor lamp.
The attic room is decorated with open shelves or closed racks for books and tools, using all the space to the maximum.
In order not to reduce the space of the attic floor, you should not cover massive wooden beams with plasterboard. This will prevent the already limited space from being narrowed, will give the interior individuality, and the atmosphere of the office with a large amount of equipment and electronics will become warmer.
Bathroom in the attic
The attic floor, due to its specificity, sloping ceiling, walls with different levels, is rarely used for functional purposes. In a large metropolis, the entire apartment may turn out to be attic space. When creating the interior of a country house, utilitarian rooms can also be placed under the roof itself.
There are some nuances here; when drawing up a design project for an attic, not only the size of the room is taken into account, the height of the owners and ergonomic laws are taken into account. The result is a comfortable, practical bathroom; it is better to place it above the kitchen area. This will simplify the operation of water supply and sewerage systems. Most often, a toilet or bathtub is installed close to a sloping wall. If the dimensions of the room are small, then it is better to install a shower stall instead.
Plumbing fixtures and furniture should be compact; washbasins built into cabinets, cabinets, and various suspended structures. It is better if the surfaces and doors are made of materials with a light, glossy, mirror surface. Floor tiles– appropriate.
If the room is of impressive size, the walls are decorated in any colors; if it is cramped, they choose a light color scheme, which should visually expand the space. For the same purpose, it is worth abandoning the idea of hiding structures and saving space on this. We decorate them and make an interior accent.
Home cinema
Usually one of the most large rooms on the ground floor it combines the functions of a dining room, living room, and kitchen. This is convenient; zoning helps not to infringe on each of the segments.
The current design of an attic room, if there is no urgent need to save useful space, suggests the possibility of planning a full-fledged home theater on the second floor of a summer house or private house. This room contains a large sofa, TV, and a full-wall projector screen. Wires, sound system hide behind beautiful wall panels, where disks and other paraphernalia will also be conveniently placed.
If you have the resources and a lot of imagination, you can add a bar counter, a refrigerator for drinks, a machine for popcorn, and a coffee maker to the arsenal. If you make the furnishings mobile, the room will be useful for holding dance parties and other public gatherings.
Dressing room under the roof
It is unprofitable to set up a storage system on the ground floors due to the eternal lack of space. Setting up a room under a roof for such purposes, even if it’s a small area and has a specific shape, is a very good solution. Here you can take the things of all family members. With a thoughtful approach, we turn a non-standard layout into a plus.
Asymmetry and all kinds of ceiling bevels will not always allow you to place a store-bought assortment of furniture in the attic area. But you can think about how to use every corner with custom-made cabinets, racks, and shelves.
Closets and niches for long items are installed near the high walls. A wardrobe with sliding doors will fit well near sloping walls. Next to the low wall fragments, you can install low cabinets, benches that are comfortable to sit on, and store seasonal items, shoes and a vacuum cleaner there.
Fireplace room
The attic is a non-standard space. For extraordinary people, heated floors and electric radiators are not entirely suitable for creating an atmosphere of romance and creativity. A fireplace can play both a purely practical role and a purely decorative one.
A traditional wood-burning fireplace is a massive structure. Since the ceiling of the attic floor is unlikely to withstand a half-ton structure, preference is given to compact models with low weight. Facing with heavy stone and ceramics is contraindicated. The most appropriate style is high-tech, steel, glass, cast iron parts, simple shapes without decorative frills.
The design of a fireplace in an attic room is very individual and takes into account the degree of load and the ventilation system. If the floors in the house are wooden, opt for electric models or those that run on biofuel.
Important! If you want to have a fireplace in the attic, provide a place to store solid fuel. A smoke exhaust system is mandatory, but comes with an additional financial burden. When using electric models, you need to choose the most powerful ones. Fan heaters draw a lot of energy, do not meet fire safety requirements, and dry the air excessively.
Ceiling materials and design
When choosing a ceiling finish, take into account all the nuances of its structure; your future comfort depends on it.
The range of materials for work is quite wide. All known types decorations can be used. Will fit tension surfaces, from lining and plasterboard, the main thing is to take into account the structure of the roof. Sometimes the design does not allow the installation of wiring with lamps, the best alternative will make a false or suspended ceiling.
Tensile coverings are used only when there is a vertical wall. Otherwise, given the small area and close proximity of furnishings, there is a risk of damaging the surface. Tension systems They do not weigh down structures, are good for all roof shapes, and are easy to cover any communications behind.
The most common and affordable finishing methods are plasterboard and lining; it is also easier to attach decorative elements to them.
Attics in which the ceiling is covered with wallpaper in light colors with a delicate pattern look very original.
Multi-level plasterboard ceilings with height differences and a large number of unexpected protrusions are spectacular. A properly designed sloping roof significantly adds beauty and originality to the entire interior.
Attic wall decoration
The most popular material here is wood. No others can compare with him. It is distinguished by its unique woody aroma, the microclimate created only by it, and serves as additional thermal insulation.
The simplest solution is finishing with clapboard, which has several types of profiles and methods of placement on the surface.
Wooden panels made from solid wood or from the same lining are often used. A budget option– laminated and veneered panels, MDF with wood or bamboo veneer. The interior of an attic with such panels is more suitable for an office or sports room, so it is better to resort to a combination with wallpaper, painting or decorative plaster.
A relatively new material called wooden wallpaper looks very advantageous. Like traditional ones, they are glued to the wall. This wood-look attic decoration is very decorative.
A large drawing and dark color of the walls in the space of a small attic are not entirely appropriate. It is better to cover the walls with white wallpaper. The soft color of the furniture and splashes of bright accessories will enliven the interior.
A very recent innovation in attic finishing is HPL panels, a high-pressure plastic with which you can implement the most effective design solutions.
Among modern technologies, it is worth mentioning the latest “squeak” - draping walls with fabrics. Not all walls are decorated with exquisite textiles, but two or one in the center of the room.
Important! When arranging the attic floor, you need to monitor how accurately the technical requirements requirements for thermal insulation of ceilings and walls. If insulation and ventilation do not meet all standards, there is a risk that the roof and windows will become covered with condensation in cold weather. Dampness and its consequence - fungus - can cause discomfort, illness for household members, and premature damage to furniture.
Floor covering materials
The way the floor in the attic is arranged is always high requirements. This is due to two very important requirements: good heat and sound insulation. Traditional finishing methods do not solve these problems. The construction of not only a dry foundation, but also the installation of a “floating” foundation is intended to satisfy all requests.
For reliable insulation, mineral wool and glass wool are used. Also very important good waterproofing. The flooring requires a special base, the role of which is performed by boards made of fir, pine, larch, treated with special antiseptics.
The final cladding can be anything: linoleum, laminate, parquet, chipboard, carpet, depending on the tastes of the owners, their views on the future function and style of the room.
You shouldn’t skimp on flooring, because poor quality materials will crack, fade, and make strange sounds over time. A thick layer of insulating material is required. Carpets will serve as decoration and additional insulation; on the attic floor they are more than appropriate.
Choosing roof windows
One of the main issues when building an attic is to ensure high level natural lighting. Each room should have at least one window, it is better if there are several of them, it is very good when they are not located on the same wall. The width of the windows can be specified, no wider than the distance between the rafters. The length is limited by the top and bottom edges, depending on the slope of the roof.
Modern design
Until recently, the windows in the attics were blank, did not open, they simply crashed into the roof. Now double-glazed windows have at least two glasses. The outer glass can be tempered to increase its strength; the inner glass is specially treated so that if it breaks, it does not fall apart into pieces with sharp corners.
Modern frames are capable of rotating in one axis or another, directly in the middle, 2/3 from the edge. Rotating devices operate both manually and using a remote control.
Not only visible, but also hidden from view places in the construction of wooden windows should be varnished, this is a guarantee of protection from moisture.
Make sure that the lower slopes of the window are perpendicular to the floor, and the upper ones are parallel. This will prevent the formation of condensation and promote better lighting.
Artificial lighting
The organization of the light supply system depends on the zoning of the space, how the furniture is located in the room, the number and size of windows, the structural features of the roof and ceiling.
There should be a lot of light in the attic. For this purpose, local lamps are used: sconces, all kinds of floor lamps, portable lamps and rotary, point devices. Ceiling chandeliers of varying degrees of power will not be superfluous.
You can abandon the usual chandelier and install Spotlights only in the most exploited areas. Only spot lighting is allowed in the bedroom. In the living room, where gatherings and events are planned, install general and local lighting fixtures.
To create a romantic ceiling pattern and starry sky effect, fiber optic lighting threads are used. In the attic room, any options for local light are good.
Color solution
Since the attic is a specific room, the color scheme in its design is of no small importance. Light colors are preferred, which is especially important for small interiors under a roof. The general color range must be maintained on all surfaces, including furniture, walls, ceilings, and floors. Decoration Materials must also be in harmony with each other, form a single whole.
A space with a deep ceiling needs light and glossy surfaces that reflect light. Visually it will be expanded by the color contrast of the floor and walls. A dark floor and dazzling white walls that have no boundaries with the ceiling will create the illusion of infinity. Ceiling beams harmonizing in color with floor covering, will become an original part of the structure.
When choosing textiles and furniture, you should also give preference to light pastel shades. A small room will become even smaller if you overuse dark colors in the design.
To somehow enliven the interior, add bright touches. Transparent curtains will not block the light, but will add a play of shadows and create the necessary coziness.
The choice of the purpose of the room and the style of its design is always the prerogative of the owner of the house. What to choose depends on his tastes, financial capabilities, and lifestyle.
Modern cities are so loaded with technology, people and faceless buildings and there are so few green spaces left in them that having your own dacha is not even a dream, but an urgent need. Spending time in nature becomes an outlet for the whole family, and even after a furnished city apartment, many are ready to put up with the traditional inconveniences of country houses.
Although this is completely unnecessary! With the necessary ingenuity and our advice, the design of an attic in a dacha instead of the usual dusty attic will allow you to have not only a cozy bedroom, but even a full bathroom, a kitchen-living room in the Russian style and everything your heart desires!
Let's start with the fact that, as a rule, a country house is intended for seasonal living with a minimum of comfort. After all, they don’t initially buy a country house that is too large, but try to invest in choosing a good location. Therefore, as a rule, 1-2 rooms are enough for a family’s summer vacation.
But over time, inspired by modern programs about converting the under-roof space into a comfortable attic, dacha owners pay close attention to the abandoned dacha attic. Why not? After all, in this place you can make a wonderful living room, summer bedroom, billiard room, space for hobbies and much more! Take, for example, just the fact that it is in the attic that it is convenient to install a bathroom, which is usually not initially available in a country house.
There is a lot of construction work to be done, because the attic of a dacha is usually not planned as a living space. And therefore it will need to be re-equipped and insulated. Of course, it depends on what exactly is meant by the term “dacha”: a small house near the forest or a modern country house, where a spacious and functional attic is initially important and effective element design.
If everything is clear with a country house, then with an attic in an ordinary small dacha you will have to face problems such as lack of air, lighting and usable space.
But, thanks to unique building materials and new technologies, even the darkest kennel can be turned into a completely cozy and living room. This way, planning the space under the roof has become much more pleasant and interesting, although some aspects still remain: for example, the unusual geometry of the room and the peculiarities of the internal microclimate.
Here is a wonderful selection of cozy and unpretentious interiors of country attics:
Types of country roofs and their interior space
It is necessary to think through the interior design of the attic at the stage of designing the entire house. After all, even if you are not going to develop the under-roof space this year or next, it still makes sense to install plumbing, heating, an electrical cable and a cord from the Internet antenna in advance (where would we be without it). After all, then doing complex repair work will not be the most pleasant task, and quite expensive.
Tilt angle and usable area
And now about how comfortable this or that type of country roof is for certain ideas. For example, the most comfortable for a residential attic would be a steep roof, from 55 degrees. Here the ceiling easily meets the wall, and there are almost no “dead zones” left in the room. But the cost of building such a roof will be higher, because an insulated roof is much more expensive than a vertical wall.
Most attics of Russian private houses have gable roofs with an inclination angle of 45 to 60 degrees. It all depends on how much snow falls in a particular region, but in Russia there is never enough snow. Therefore, the specificity of the premises under the roof of our dachas remains the same sloping ceiling, and planners and designers are faced with a difficult task: how to make the most useful and practical use of that part of the room where the ceiling height is less than two meters?
Keep in mind that it is in this part of the attic that the air is least ventilated and there is usually little light. And your main task when drawing up an attic interior project is to ensure a comfortable microclimate, convenient movement around the attic floor, and fill the rooms with natural light. And at the same time, minimize the loss of such valuable usable space.
Roof shape and layout features
And the largest space in the attic is under the sloping roof with an attic wall. We are talking about a part of the floor with low vertical walls. There are some nuances in such construction: it will be necessary to strengthen the rafters and mauerlat, as well as install a structure such as scissor trusses.
Therefore, most practical option for the attic we will still call a sloping roof, which also significantly saves materials. However, get ready for the fact that the roofing pie will be quite complex: in the fracture areas it will be important to ensure the correct overlap of the insulation boards, and in the connection of the roofing material - to avoid cold bridges.
But in a hipped roof there is already less usable area and more kinks. It’s more difficult to plan something freely here. For example, a sloping roof at least has two vertical gables, near which you can install cabinets or storage spaces, and under hipped roof There are no such spaces anymore:
Interesting fact: sometimes, when setting up an attic in a country house or country house, they hire professional builders to slightly raise (complete) the attic wall and, thus, change the angle of the roof. Of course, such an attic turns out to be more functional and cozy.
But the fact is that if this house was built at one time by a professional architect, then 100% of the project was initially consciously chosen all the proportions between the height of the roof and the height of the walls. And, as a result of changes in the roof and its shape, the house itself will not only lose its appearance, but also risks looking even awkward in the end. This is not to mention the fact that any such interventions in architecture are fraught with a reduction in the life of the house itself.
The attic is too cramped: what to do?
Of course, in an ordinary country house, initially, as a rule, the roof is not built with the expectation that one day there will be a luxurious attic. And country houses are often inherited, and in the form of old buildings, where in general the attic was planned only as a place to store hay. And the only one who lived there before was a cat. In this case, you will have to resort to tricks:
Moreover cozy bedroom It works even in very small attics:
By the way, a bedroom in a small attic is far from the only option. If you're creative, you could fit an entire bathroom in there!
Also be prepared for the fact that even at the stage of construction of a country house, the attic will be taken over by your child, who will happily separate from all his relatives in such a room that resembles a tree house.
The art of zoning a country attic
Also if your country house If the area is large enough, then the attic turns out to be not just spacious - huge. And then it makes sense to divide it into separate rooms. And there will be advantages: at least one or two walls of each room will already be vertical, which will have a good effect on their functionality.
So what rooms should you divide the country attic into, if there is such a possibility? Family library, home cinema, Personal Area, a dressing room or an additional bedroom for guests - all that is usually quite difficult to fit even into an ordinary residential building. In other words, in country attics they sell everything that city square meters are usually a pity for.
To do this, an ordinary attic is divided into two parts along the ridge, and the rest of the additional partitions are built, if the area allows. Although modern construction technologies already allow you to come up with something new, reducing the number of supports to a minimum and turning open technical elements into a special type of decor.
Thanks to this, it is possible to leave the entire space unified, which is excellent for ventilation and lighting. Moreover, space is in fashion today. Also in fashion are partitions of variable height, sliding ones, which help to divide and combine the attic space in one minute:
Also keep in mind that previously the attic ceiling was always sheathed and lowered to a height of 2.5 m, but today it is customary to install a mezzanine there, which significantly expands the usable area and is valued in its own way in the interior.
And in those parts of the attic where the height is insufficient for comfortable movement of a person, storage spaces are most often arranged. Decorative chests, caskets, open shelving and audio-video equipment look quite stylish there:
Subtleties of lighting: highlighting advantageous elements
The ideal country attic is where there is a lot of light and a lot of air. That is why today it has become fashionable to make large window openings in the gables of the dacha, letting in more light into the attic. But lucarnes have long been abandoned, and they are used only for special style decisions. After all, from them, on top of everything else, there is little light:
Modern roof windows are increasingly being made not inclined, but vertical, and these protect the attic from water penetration. Here it is important to adhere to the design rule: the ratio of the glazing area should be 1 to 10 to the floor area.
And notice how much more pleasant the vertical stationary windows in the gables are perceived, and how uncomfortable the inclined ones feel. Many people even note that it seems to them that such windows are “falling”. And today simplicity and lightness are in fashion in any interior. But vertical windows will no longer allow tall furniture to be placed near the gables.
Also, in order to lure the sun into the country attic, it is advisable not to use too much textiles. Although cute floral curtains are usually not superfluous in such a room, and in their own way they lift the mood. But it’s better to buy modern roller blinds or leave the windows open, as the Dutch do.
Moreover, at such a height you won’t be able to see much of anything, but the attic will always be full of sunlight. And to prevent ultraviolet rays from discoloring the paints of furniture and interior decoration, choose windows with a special coating that protects them from such exposure.
They also resort to such cunning techniques as an abundance of glass and transparent elements, which give the room more light and a feeling of airiness.
Selection of furniture for the heavenly space
An important principle of arranging a country attic is the minimum necessary furniture, so as not to create additional load on the walls and foundation of the house. The guest bedroom fits this requirement well, because guests are always provided with a more modest set of necessary items than for residents of the house.
First of all, when thinking about furnishing your country attic, select an area where you can definitely stand up to your full height, an area where you can sit comfortably, and an area where you can only lie down (without hitting your head if you wake up). For all this, choose suitable furniture, preferably transformable or with built-in storage space.
Even better - order furniture specifically for this room, with the required dimensions and parameters. This way you will hide all the inconvenient corners and nooks of the attic, and make it as comfortable as possible. So feel free to design! Better yet, look at ready-made design projects for under-roof spaces and take note of the most successful ideas, life hacks and unexpected but interesting solutions.
Believe me, in order to turn an attic into a truly chic living space, you don’t need a designer’s education at all! All the necessary variety has been on sale for a long time; in online stores it is convenient to select entire sets that will be delivered to everything, even to Everest. The main thing is to have a natural sense of taste and proportion.
Interior design: not only country!
And finally, let's talk about styles. The attic as an architectural object has always been unique in that it is possible to implement absolutely any direction and conduct bold experiments without risking the more valuable living space of the dacha itself. Usually this is where the most daring solutions are implemented, where they play with color and decoration. Have you ever wanted to paint everything black and put in black and white furniture? Yes please! Want to have a completely pink room? Why not!
If you think that the only thing possible variant– this is country music, i.e. country style, then you are wrong. Of course, this option has its own meaning: curtains with a funny flower, an abundance of textiles, bright hues, flowers in decoration and a lot of old cute things.
Usually the entire dacha is designed in the same style, then what is the point of duplicating this in the under-roof space? Look how beautiful the attic turns out with fairly low slopes, and who would have thought! And here the most authentic New York interior style is realized:
And even open elements, which often remain in country attics, can be so effectively emphasized in a fashionable Swedish style. Study this illustration carefully: just white walls and floors with a slight tint, exposed wooden elements of the rafter system tinted with stain, a minimum of furniture and a couple of red accents in the furniture. And how gorgeous it looks:
There are no restrictions at all in choosing the style of a country attic! You can choose fresh Scandinavian style, and sophisticated Japanese, and pompous French. In a word, implement any interior design idea you liked that you once saw. But, if you are striving specifically for comfort, then select natural materials for your country attic, furniture with smooth shapes and fresh natural tones in the decoration.
Last valuable advice: when arranging a country attic, adopt the principle of English designers. It goes like this: everything can and should always be repainted and remade, just to suit your mood. This is how people in England like to update their houses from the inside - with simple cosmetic repairs, and with enviable regularity. Your attic is already ready, but would you like to redo something in it in the future? So it will be!