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 you can handle all the necessary activities on your own.

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. Wherein inner space the premises are determined by the features of the roofing structure.

The attic roof must be designed in a special way. You will have to get rid of the old rafters and related materials, replacing them new system, designed taking into account the upcoming loads, angle of inclination and other important design features.

Thus, the rafter 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. Gable roof will put a much more significant load on the walls compared to single slope system. However, more convenient option You won’t find a roof for the attic floor.

In this case, the broken roof will “eat” the least amount of free space in the attic compared to all other types of roofs.

It is important that the gable roof has sufficient quantity load-bearing supports. Typically, layered rafters are used to construct such a roof. In this case, the elements rafter system must be supported by 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 attics:

• the presence of additional partitions and load-bearing walls;
• number of window openings;
• peculiarities internal structure roofs;
• 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 the attic is planned to be used exclusively for seasonal residence, you can make it out of more budget 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. Blocks are installed and poured 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 the necessary walls, begin 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

Apply your chosen finish to the sheathing. 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.

Most suitable material for attic insulation - fiberboard

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 on smooth side Fiberboard (smooth is the front) you can glue wallpaper or do something else 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 point.

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 glued on top of them carpet covering. 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 arrange the lung 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 material to the rafter posts. wooden beam. Nail the chosen one to the frame finishing material. 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 plasterboard or other suitable material, creating compact cabinets for storing various types 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– organization of 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

The attic roof makes it possible to significantly increase the total living space, while the financial investment will be minimal. The most common option is a gable broken structure, which is easy to build yourself.

How to make a mansard roof yourself

Living rooms can be arranged under the attic roof. The shape of the building can be different, but in most cases the attic is built under a roof with two slopes. The optimal solution, which allows you to obtain a significant area of ​​​​living space, is a broken structure.

broken roof is the best option for arranging an attic

Drawings and calculations of a mansard roof

The first step is to decide on the frame diagram. Rafters can be layered or hanging type. Layered ones rest on the walls of the building. They are mounted in structures where the distance between the walls is less than 6.5 m. Hanging rafters are placed on fillets and a mauerlat. If the width of the spans is large, then the rafter system will need to be reinforced with auxiliary ties.

The main condition for the comfortable construction of an attic is the ceiling level - it must be higher than 2.5 m. To ensure a similar height, the break line must be placed at a height of more than 2.8 m, taking into account the thickness of the layer of material for insulation and cladding of the structure. It is also important to consider the thickness of the floor.

An example of a drawing can be seen in the image:

Minimum height ceilings mansard roof is 2.5 m

To calculate the expected snow loads, you will need to apply this formula: S = Sg x µ, where S is the snow load, Sg is the weight of the snow cover per 1 m 2 area, µ is the value that depends on the roof slope (1.0 - For flat design with a slope of 25°, 0.7 - for a design with a slope of 25–60°).

Parameters Sg and Wo can be found in the relevant SNiP, in the “Rafter systems” section. If the roof has steep slope, then the load from snow can be ignored.

Roof structure

The frame structure includes the following parts:

• Mauerlat - a support bar that transfers the load from the rafters to the walls of the building;
• racks - supporting parts that support the rafter system in a vertical position;
• floor beams - planks that form half of the attic and the ceiling of the lower floor;
• rafters - slats that form the main contour of the roof;
• purlins - horizontal supporting parts for rafters;
• sheathing - slats or plywood sheets, which are intended for laying roofing material;
• fillies - strips that are attached along the axis at the bottom of the rafter legs.

The frame consists of a mauerlat, racks, purlins, floor beams and other elements

A sloping roof differs from an ordinary structure with two slopes. The difference is that the slopes, which are placed opposite each other, have a special shape: they do not form a straight line, but consist of several slopes that are fastened to one another at an obtuse angle. The design is also symmetrical.

The extreme part of the rafters is generally set at an angle of about 60°. The support posts that support the rafters form the frame structure of the interior walls. Top part the rafters are mounted at a small angle, it can be from 15 to 45°. This makes it possible to reduce material consumption, while maintaining the functional properties of the roof and resistance to loads from snow.

Vertical racks, which abut against the floor planks, purlins and crossbars fastening them, form a parallelepiped. The design limits the dimensions of the attic from the inside. To give the product additional rigidity, struts should be installed between the floor slats and the lower rafters.

If the roof span is more than 8 m, then you will need to install struts

After installing the upper elements, to fix the truss and prevent sagging of the crossbars, you should install hanging support elements - headstocks. For auxiliary fixation of the lower rafter legs, they must be pulled together with the uprights using tacks. The parts are fastened using nails and bolts.

Stages of self-construction of an attic

If you decide to make such a structure yourself, it is important to provide for the use of the following materials in the project:

• roofing material;
• vapor barrier;
• waterproofing;
• insulation material.

The choice of insulation affects such a parameter as the pitch of the rafters. To reduce the amount of insulation, it is best to place the rafters so that the slab or mat fits tightly between them. The type of sheathing and its pitch will depend on the choice of material for roofing. You need to pay attention not only to choosing high-quality material for insulation, but also to creating an effective ventilation system.

Ventilation is arranged by preparing technological gaps

The construction of the rafter system must be carried out using fireproof materials. All parts should be treated with fire retardants. You will need to prepare the following elements:

• wooden blocks cross section from 100x50 mm;
• slats 50x150 mm;
• unedged boards;
• building level;
• self-tapping screws;
• nails;
• steel wire with a diameter of 4–5 mm;
• plumb line;
• roulette;
• hacksaw;
• axe;
• hammer;
• sharp knife.

Drafting

One of the most important parts of the work is drafting the project. It is very important to analyze the layout features of a private house. It is necessary to determine the dimensions and shape of the structure being built, and also provide for the placement of windows and a balcony.

Everything on the project should be marked structural elements

In the process of drawing up a project, the following requirements must be taken into account:

1. It is important to decide in advance what the height of the attic should be. It should be remembered that the distance from floor base to the highest point of the structure there should be a minimum of 0.5 m.
2. It is recommended to take into account the heating area and the main interior elements.
3. The attic layout should be expanded. If you plan to install windows, they must be indicated on the drawing.

Drawing up a drawing must begin with choosing a shape, determining the cross-section of the rafter legs and the step of their placement. To determine the size of the rafters, you need to take into account the following parameters:

• slope;
• roof roofing material;
• climate features in the construction region.

It is also important to provide the required number of rafters in the project. They can be layered or hanging type.

Rafters can be hanging or layered

At the end, you should determine the number of parts to fix. In the figure below you can see some of the data necessary for the calculation, however, drawing up the project is complex process. It is recommended to entrust this work to qualified specialists.

Mauerlat installation

The design of the attic roof rafter system should be selected based on the type of roof, as well as the prepared attic design. A simple option is a design with two slopes.

The main details of a roof rafter system with two slopes are:

• linear elements (column, rod system, beam);
• flat parts (slab, flooring, panel);
• spatial elements (vault, shell, volumetric part).

Before carrying out work, you will need to thoroughly dry the wood. The first step is to mark and install the Mauerlat. It is fixed to the walls of the building. The part can be made from a block or a powerful lath. If you plan to build a roof with two slopes, then the Mauerlat is laid on the long walls of the building. The element is necessary not only for reliable fixation of the lower part of the rafters, but also for the correct distribution of the load on the walls and the main part of the building.

To fix the Mauerlat, you should use metal pins that are attached to a beam made of monolithic concrete.

To fix the Mauerlat, you need to install metal pins

The beam should be placed at the top of the wall. It is also possible to use steel wire embedded in brickwork.

To secure the Mauerlat to the upper rim of a wooden wall, you need to use wooden dowels. Auerlat requires high-quality waterproofing of timber timber. Therefore, it is necessary to use roofing felt or other material with water-repellent properties.

Before installing the Mauerlat, the base must be covered with roofing felt.

The installation of a Mauerlat is required if it is planned to construct a roof frame, the rafters of which rest against the upper part of the wall with beveled ends or prepared cutouts.

If you plan to make an attic, the width of which corresponds to the width of the building, the rafter legs should rest with their lower ends against the external supporting parts. It is possible to use powerful beams laid across long walls as supports. The number of supporting elements corresponds to the number of rafters. The beams must be secured to the walls in the same way as the Mauerlat.

Sequencing:

Frame construction

The frame of the attic roof consists of floor beams, rafters, purlins and racks

Bars are often used as a material coniferous species 200x100 mm. The floor slats are placed on top of the mauerlat with an indentation of 30–50 cm beyond the surface of the walls or into prepared grooves in the masonry. In the first case, the parts are fixed using angles and self-tapping screws.

Fixing the timber to the mauerlat can be done using steel corners

To make an even floor, the planks should be installed in this sequence:

1. First of all, the outer parts are placed level.
2. Next, you should tighten the cord and install intermediate elements along it.
3. The pitch of the beams should be from 60 to 100 cm. A distance of 60 cm makes it possible to install insulation boards without cutting.
4. To level the beams in height, they can be trimmed. Another option is to use plank underlays.
5. If beams are inserted into prepared pockets, their outer parts must be processed liquid waterproofing and wrap it in roofing felt.

You need to place the racks on the outer planks:

After installing the racks, crossbars and purlins, you can get a reliable structure that will limit the interior rooms of the attic. To increase its strength, it should be secured in the future with struts and tacks.

Installation of rafters

At this stage, the installation of the lower rafters is carried out:

After this, the upper elements are installed:

1. The first step is to mark central part roofs. This can be done using a stand that was previously attached to the Mauerlat and a tie from the end of the roof. The outermost part of the board should run along the center of the roof. The rafter legs need to be aligned along this board.
2. Next, you need to prepare a template from a 150x25 mm slats. It should be applied to the extreme part of the mounted batten at the required level and to the purlin on which the lower rafter legs will rest.
3. You should mark the upper and lower cuts and cut out a template. The device is applied in turn to two sides of the roof. This will make it possible to check the accuracy of the marking of the central part. If the rows of racks are placed in parallel, then there will be no difficulties in securing the upper elements - they will have identical dimensions.
4. According to the preparation it is necessary to prepare required quantity rafters The parts are placed on purlins and tied together in the upper parts using iron plates or trim strips. In the latter case, self-tapping screws are used as fasteners. In the purlin, the rafter strips rest against the cuts and are caught with iron corners. To ensure that the parts stand straight, they are secured using struts, mounted with the lower part on ties. All rafters are installed using this method.
5. The hanging racks are fixed - pieces of 150x25 mm planks. The upper part of the batten is attached to the place where the rafters are fixed, the lower part is attached to the tie.

Video: mansard roof rafter system

Installation of struts and gables

Sequencing:

Sheathing of the structure

The sheathing is needed for:

• distribution and transfer of the weight of the roofing material to the rafters;
• execution additional fastening rafter systems;
• bases for fixing roofing material.

The sheathing can be made in one or two layers, continuous or with vacuum.

The sheathing can be solid or with relief

The installation method depends on what material is planned to be used to cover the structure. If a roof is being built from slate or metal tiles, the sheathing should be made of slats that are attached to the rafters with nails. In this case, the installation step of adjacent planks can be 27–30 cm.

Continuous sheathing is used in case of fastening soft material in rolls.

Continuous sheathing is necessary for soft roof

In this case, you can use moisture-resistant plywood sheets or particle boards. It is allowed to use pine wood material - edged strips.

It is important to take into account the fact that when installing such a sheathing, the material that will be laid must follow the contours of the external base. Therefore, the frame structure must be strong and level.

When laying out the material, you should use a cord, with which the slats or slabs will lie flat. The parts must be placed parallel to each other. Before fixing, the material must be treated with an antiseptic composition to protect it from rotting, fungus and dampness. The workpieces must be smooth and of high quality. It is recommended to give preference to wood grades 1 and 2. There should be no knots on it. To prevent the boards from warping, they must first be dried.

Sequence of actions for installing the sheathing:

Waterproofing a mansard roof

Roofing material does not have thermal insulation properties, so you will need to prepare quality material, which will be environmentally safe for human health. Quite often mineral wool or glass wool is used. Both materials have excellent sound and heat insulation parameters. It is also important to take into account that if the roof is made of metal, if the insulation gets wet, all its qualities can be reduced to zero. Therefore, it is important to carefully consider the design.

It will not be possible to insulate an attic without laying waterproofing material, so the process should be considered in its entirety. Step-by-step guide to waterproofing a structure:

Practice has shown that it is better to protect insulation with modern materials, for example, Tyvek or Izospan. The use of ordinary polyethylene film gives poor results, as condensation may appear. Experienced craftsmen They believe that the structure should not be waterproofed with roofing felt.

Before proceeding with the work, you need to decide on the thermal insulation material.

Mineral wool is a fairly popular material used for roof insulation.

The most commonly used heat insulators are:

• glass wool;
• mineral wool;
• Styrofoam;
• foam glass;
• wood shavings;
• straw.

The material must be selected taking into account four parameters.

1. Thermal conductivity index. For roof insulation, 0.05 W/m*K or lower is optimal.
2. Water resistance. The higher the score, the better.
3. Fire resistance.
4. Environmental Safety.

Insulating qualities mineral wool after some time they deteriorate significantly. The material can also be damaged under the influence of mechanical loads. However, mineral wool has a low cost, so the material is used quite often. Polyfoam is not afraid of water and has excellent thermal insulation characteristics. If you plan to build a house only from environmentally friendly materials, then you can use foam glass or straw.

Step-by-step guide to roof insulation:

Laying roofing materials and installing window openings

As an example, we will consider the installation of metal tiles, since this material is used quite often:

The number of windows is determined by the relation usable area glazing to the base of the floor 1:10. For example, if the attic area is 100 m2, then the glazing should be approximately 10 m2. When installing windows, you need to take into account such nuances.

Project documentation

1. We are adding an attic to an already finished house
2. What is included in the rafter system?
3. Thermal engineering
4. Construction process in detail
5. Advantages of the frame system

Many homeowners want to make their home more functional. You can achieve the goal by increasing the free space that can be used for personal purposes. Experts suggest using the area under the roof itself for this, namely building an attic. This process cannot be called easy, but if the technology is followed, it is possible to make an addition, both at the stage of building a house and after putting it into operation. Both options will be discussed below. DIY mansard roof.

We are developing a project

Anyone who is interested in how to build an attic roof with their own hands must first understand that this part of the building is quite complex. If there is such a possibility, then it is better to design additional floor at the construction stage, because not all already built houses can be equipped with additional square meters. The main obstacle is the increase in load on the foundation part, which requires its strengthening.

In general terms, the whole process can be divided into stages:

• The construction of the attic roof begins with drawing up drawings;
• then the walls of the under-roof room are erected;
• the next stage is the arrangement of the roof itself, performing insulation and waterproofing work;
• window installation;
• interior decoration of the room.

Only strict adherence to technology makes it possible to obtain a durable and, most importantly, reliable building.

Each stage of work is important in its own way, one of them is design. Here it is important to take into account the dimensions of the room, the material that will be used as the main one, the features of the roof, the degree of its slope, the number of slopes, etc. There are several ways to design a superstructure. The least expensive is to compile the necessary documentation manually; for this you will need at least minimal experience and knowledge. You can go the other way - use ready-made drawings, but no one can guarantee that they will be perfect; adjustments may need to be made.

The most expensive, but win-win option is to contact specialists. There are many companies offering to create a project that matches the parameters of your home in a short time. A team of specialists will also help you decide correctly building materials. The main requirements for consumables are: ensuring durability in operation, reducing the overall load on the base. We must not forget that new project must be agreed upon government institutions, if it is compiled correctly, then there will be no problems with this.

What if the house has already been built?

In this case, the construction process begins with dismantling work. Having disassembled old roof, you can not only expand the usable space later, but also ensure the safety of the new add-on. You don’t have to hire someone for these purposes; you can do everything on your own. First, remove the roofing material from the outside, then the sheathing, and finally disassemble the rafter system.

When dismantling work successfully completed, proceed to strengthening the walls on the lower floor. This stage cannot be neglected, because the additional load is not only on the foundation, but also on vertical structures. To do everything right, you will need to carry out calculations to determine the strength level of the old walls.

Mansard roof components of the structure

Understand how to build a roof mansard type, information about the main load-bearing parts and connections will help.

1. Rafter legs - they transfer the load exerted by the weight of the roofing material on the walls of the building. Section wooden beams is selected taking into account such indicators as angle of inclination, span width, pitch, design load. If you do not know how such calculations are carried out correctly, it makes sense to contact a specialist. In private construction, it is permissible to use approximate values, but we must not forget about a small margin.
2. Narozhniki - this is the name of the rafter legs, supported on one or both sides by sloping elements. Their cross-section is determined in the same way as in the case of the main rafters.
3. Sloping legs - this type of structure is used in the construction hip roof. It is used as a base for sprigs. The cross-sectional indicator is determined taking into account the load and span. Remember, this figure should be greater than that of the rafter legs.
4. The crossbar is a support beam for the rafters, located in the upper part of the structure, namely in the ridge or at the break of the slope (if a sloping roof is planned).
5. Mauerlat is one of the main elements, it is a support for all rafters, through it the load on the walls is transmitted and evenly distributed. The optimal cross-section is 100x100 or 150x150mm, it all depends on the complexity of the object.

Just so you know, the construction of a Mauerlat is not required if we are talking about the construction of a frame or wooden house. This is because the support for the rafters is the crown of the walls or frame. mansard roof

Construction cannot do without additional elements, such as struts, racks, contractions. They are necessary to reduce the cross-section of load-bearing structures. Their size is selected taking into account the convenience of making connections. Arguing on the topic: “How to build an attic roof for a house,” — One cannot fail to mention the material. Experts emphasize that the wood should only be used from coniferous species, for example, pine, larch, spruce. The grade should be first, maximum second, and humidity no more than 15%. Before use, do not forget that all boards and bars must be treated with an antiseptic.

Thermal calculations

The construction of an attic is not complete without the use of insulation; most often mineral wool is used for this purpose; it is supplied in slabs or mats. It is also possible to use polyurethane foam, ecowool, polystyrene foam, and extruded polystyrene foam. Having decided on the material, you need to choose the right thickness; here it is important to take into account the height of the rafters, it should be equal to or slightly greater than the thickness of the heat-insulating layer. If mineral wool is used, it is necessary to ensure the presence of a ventilation gap; it is a space of 50 mm between the heat insulator (its upper surface) and the roof. mansard roof

Step-by-step description of the process

Let's move on to the main thing - how to build an attic roof for a house with your own hands. To cope with this task, it is important to follow a certain sequence of work. It all starts with attaching the Mauerlat to the wall (if the house is not frame or wooden), then the rafter system is installed along with struts and racks. It cannot be done without installing waterproofing and wind protection. Before laying the outer roof, sheathing is done. Finally, insulation is carried out from the inside, covering protruding structural elements.

And now a little more about some of the stages.

1. If laying the Mauerlat is required, then this is done on the inside outer wall. There are several ways to fasten elements; to a large extent it depends on what the house is built from. The work may use anchors, studs or staples. In relation to buildings made of foam or aerated concrete, monolithic belt, due to this it is possible to prevent destruction. After the construction of the mauerlat, the crossbars are mounted (if necessary), the supporting structures are laid out, and the rafter legs are laid out at a certain interval. Fastenings can be made rigid or hinged.
2. Before you start laying insulation, try to protect it from negative impacts from outside. It's about about laying a membrane sheet that protects from wind and moisture, and securing the sheathing. After this, you can begin laying the finishing coating; alternatively, you can use bitumen shingles.
3. In order to ensure effective thermal insulation of the house, the material must be laid without gaps or cracks. If you plan to use polystyrene foam, the resulting spaces must be filled with sealant/foam. Upon completion of the work, a vapor barrier is fixed from below, then the internal lathing, after which you can begin covering the ceiling. Ideal option in this case it is plasterboard 12.5 mm thick.

To ensure access to natural light into the room, as well as airtightness, you need to install special roof windows. Their feature is the ability to withstand the effects of external precipitation, which are negative. The possibility of high-quality ventilation of the living space is also important. When it comes to installing windows, it is better to contact specialists, because they have all the necessary skills.

Positive features of the add-on

Information on how to properly build an attic roof will not hurt anyone, because it is great solution for buildings of any purpose. If you give preference frame version, you will be able to appreciate its main advantages. For example:

• the design is lightweight, which means it does not heavily load the main building. It follows from this that there is no need for additional strengthening;
• compared to stone options, construction of this type is much cheaper;
• it is possible to provide a high level of thermal and sound insulation;
• The attic can be made of any shape or configuration. mansard roof

And lastly, the consumables used are quite light, so there are no difficulties in lifting them up.

The attic design of the attic allows you not only to increase the living space of the house, but also to make the structure unusual and beautiful. Moreover, a building with this type of roof can be made in almost any style. The mansard type roof, the design options of which can be very different, is found both in urban areas and in rural areas. Let's look at how to create such a design yourself, and find out what its features are.

Mansard roof - options

This roof has a special slope design, usually consisting of a flat upper part and a steeper lower part. Thanks to this shape, a fairly spacious room appears inside, which can be used as an attic or even turn into a very cozy living room.

The history of attics began in the 17th century, such a roof design was invented by the architect Francois Mansart - it was a derivative of his name that such a roof was named. But this Frenchman was far from the first to implement the idea of ​​economical use of the attic floor of the house. The mansard roof was first built by Pierre Lescot, also a Frenchman, who worked on the construction of such famous buildings as the Louvre and Notre-Dame de Paris.

On a note! In the nineteenth century attic floors Usually poor people lived, but now this floor can appear in the housing of fairly wealthy people.

Nowadays, attics are quite often constructed during construction. country houses or small two-story cottages, but the idea can well be implemented when creating other types of buildings. The attic has a number of advantages:

• it is cheaper to build a house with an attic than with two full floors and a roof;
• foundation costs during the construction of such a structure are also reduced;
• an attic can significantly increase the living space of any building;
• it gives the house an unusual and beautiful look;
• it is not difficult to build the structure, the work can be completed quite quickly;
• the attic is always associated with comfort;
• a house with an attic is warmer by reducing heat loss through the roof.

But attics also have several disadvantages. This type of attic space has sloping ceilings, which results in low wall heights, making it difficult to choose furniture. Also, the roof must be well installed so as not to leak and not let heat out of the house - you will have to spend money on good hydro- and thermal insulation materials. And building attics is still more difficult than, for example, a regular gable roof.

Design Features

The attic is a universal element. It was used both for ordinary houses and for the construction of country houses; often this type of attic space was chosen even for the construction of palaces. Of course, it could decorate workshops, commercial buildings, etc. And despite the fact that different materials were used for its construction, different styles, the attic still remained an attic - it has certain design features.

So, this building can have a different geometric shape - triangular, broken, have symmetrical or, conversely, geometrically complex and non-standard slopes. It can be located both across the entire width of the building, and only on one side of it relative to the longitudinal axis.

Prices for timber

On a note! If the roof has a broken shape, then the lower part will have very steep slopes with an inclination angle of about 60-70 degrees, and on the top the slopes, on the contrary, will be flat (about 15-30 degrees).

But whatever the attic, it will be located within the walls of the main building. In relation to the external walls, the attic may be slightly wider, but then it rests on the ceiling extensions. If the offset is large, then you will have to install additional supports (for example, columns, walls, etc.).

Height mansard roof it cannot be less than 2.5 m, otherwise it will not be possible to create a spacious room under it. Windows, which also need to be provided here, will be manufactured according to special technologies using tempered durable glass and a reliable frame. They will cost several times more than usual. A bearing structures can be made of reinforced concrete, metal or wood. But in the case of the latter, it is important to carefully consider fire safety measures.

The mansard roof is a multi-layer structure, which complicates installation. It can be insulated completely or only in the area where there is a living room - where there is heating. But in any case, the design of the attic implies the presence of rafters, a ridge, the roofing material itself, thermal and waterproofing, and a vapor barrier layer. The interfloor ceiling will serve as the foundation under the roof.

Rafters for an attic roof must have good load-bearing capacity. The cross-section of the materials used will depend on the angle of the roof slope and cannot be less than 5x15 cm at a pitch of 100 cm. If the slope angle is 45 degrees, then a pitch of 140 cm is maintained.

Attention! In areas where it snows frequently and the amount of precipitation is high, it is recommended to install rafters at intervals of no more than 80 cm.

If the attic will be used as a living space, it is important to consider that in this case there is a risk of formation large quantity condensation under the roof. Because of this, pockets of mold may appear inside the structure, fungus may develop, etc. The presence of a large amount of moisture will also negatively affect the insulating properties of the material. That is why it is important to follow all the rules for installing an attic roof, and thermal insulation material must be reliably protected from moisture not only from the outside, but also from the inside, that is, a layer of vapor barrier material is also located on this side.

Important! Don’t forget about creating roof vents that will allow air to circulate quietly inside the roof structure and help remove condensation.

Types of mansard roofs

There are 4 main types of mansard roofs, which differ from each other design features. They can be divided into single-level and two-level. The first are the simplest to implement, usually combined with a sloping or gable roof with a slope angle of 35-45 degrees. The second involves the arrangement of two rooms at different levels. A mixed support system is used here.

On a note! When building an attic under a gable roof, the height of the walls can be no more than 1.5 m, followed by sloping ceilings. With a broken-shaped roof, the ceiling height along the perimeter of the walls is up to 2.5 m.

When building a house, you can choose one of the types of attics - a single-level attic with a gable roof, a single-level with a sloping roof, with remote consoles, or a two-level with a special mixed type supports

Table. Main types of attics.

Type	Description
	In this case, the attic has one level and is located under a regular gable roof. The simplest option, the design of which does not require the use of complex calculations. Rainfall with a simple gable roof goes away on its own, there is no need to equip any additional elements.
	In this case, the attic also has one level, but the rafter system is performed differently. It looks like four roof slopes are formed. A much larger room can fit under it, but creating such a roof is more difficult.
	Of the single-level attics, this is the most difficult option. Here the room under the roof is even more spacious. Usually in this case the attic room is shifted to one of the edges of the house. This design allows you to make large vertical windows on one of the sides. The main disadvantages are the complex shape and the complexity of construction. But under the edge of such an attic you can make a functional canopy where a terrace, garage or other extension can be located.
	The most difficult option is the attic, since at least two rooms under the roof are arranged here, located at different levels. When designing a house, such a design immediately becomes part of its structure.

The attic roof can also have a balcony. It is created according to the principle of window construction. The main thing that load bearing capacity walls made it possible to equip it. By the way, the balcony can also be supported by columns, but in this case it is built above the entrance.

Types of rafters for attics

Rafter trusses can be of two types - and layered. You will have to choose between them depending on the method of attachment to the walls of the house. Hanging ones are simpler and are usually used for houses that do not have a middle load-bearing wall. The rafters rest only on the main walls of the house, without intermediate supports. The width of the span between the walls cannot be large - usually it does not exceed 6 m. If the span is larger (over 9 m), then it will be necessary to install struts and headstocks.

Layered rafters are usually used to create houses with two spans, that is, those that have a load-bearing wall in the middle. In this case, the rafters have three support points - directly this wall, as well as the main ones around the perimeter of the house.

Material for the manufacture of the rafter system

Rafters can be made of metal, reinforced concrete or wood. Each material has its own advantages and disadvantages. Wooden rafters are environmentally friendly, they are easy to use, and can be easily adjusted to the desired size. But wooden structures are afraid of excess moisture and are susceptible to the formation of mold and mildew.

On a note! Before construction wooden materials It is recommended to treat them with protective compounds that will extend their service life.

Metal and reinforced concrete structures You can not cover them with such compounds - fungus and mold do not appear on them. Due to this, they are considered more reliable and durable. But the main disadvantage is that, if necessary, adjusting them on site to the right sizes It will be difficult, and the slightest error in the calculations can lead to the fact that the roof will be skewed. Also a master who works with reinforced concrete or metal rafters, may encounter other difficulties - this is a large mass of products, which forces the use of special equipment even to lift elements.

Difficulties and features of arranging an attic roof

When designing and constructing an attic roof, a number of design features should be taken into account, based on which a number of operating rules are formed. For example, the Mauerlat must be secured very securely with anchor bolts. It is he who will experience maximum load, which means keeping the entire roof on itself. It is additionally recommended to wall up the anchors cement mixture, if the main walls of the house are made of stone, brick and other similar materials.

It is also important to remember correct design and layers of the roof. For example, mansard roofs cannot be covered with metal roofing materials. They get very hot and on the top floor in the summer it will be too hot, there can simply be no talk of any comfortable living. It is not recommended to use roofing felt as a waterproofing material - when heated, it begins to smell specifically. It is best to cover the attic roof with slate or soft tiles. For thermal insulation, it is usually recommended to purchase mineral wool, which is laid with a waterproofing film on both sides.

At first glance, the functions of the roof are obvious - it is protection from precipitation, wind, and cold. However, this is also an opportunity to increase useful living space through the use of an attic space. Even in own home square meters are never superfluous, so you shouldn’t recklessly neglect the opportunity to equip a full room or an extra bedroom without jeopardizing the family budget.

The mansard gable roof has been known for a very long time; at first, the rooms under it were used only for servants’ residence and storage of things. Of course, the living conditions that such a design provided could not be called comfortable - no heating, no windows, low overhanging ceiling. However, architects began to look for ways to use this space rationally. And, I must admit, they were found, because now gable roof with an attic, the level of convenience is in no way inferior to other residential premises, especially since with a reasonable approach it is possible to provide standard height ceilings, normal sized windows and comfortable temperatures.

Advantages and disadvantages

Obtained by connecting two slopes, like any construction solution, it has its pros and cons, which the house builder should be aware of in advance. The advantages include:

1. Its design does not require reinforcement of the foundation, which simplifies construction work and optimizes costs. The attic can be equipped even completely finished house, simply rebuilding and insulating the roof.
2. Easy to install. This design is easy to assemble, even several craftsmen or a team of two people can handle it.
3. Rationality. Effective use space under the roof, which can be equipped as an office, winter garden. The gable roof with an unheated attic is suitable for seasonal storage.
4. Availability. All materials used are inexpensive and available for purchase.
5. Low cost. Square meter living space, installing an attic roof with your own hands will cost you much less than building an extension or a full second floor.

Below are, if I may say so, the disadvantages of a gable roof with an attic, which would be better called its features:

• For arrangement spacious room With your own hands, you need a fairly high gable roof, the design of which is technically more complex.
• Increasing the slope of the roof slopes increases the consumption of materials, and therefore the cost of construction, even if you work with your own hands.
• The design assumes the possibility of heat loss during the heating period.
• Increased heating of the roof and under-roof space in hot weather.

Types of construction

Although the design gable roof with an attic is considered traditional, it has many different designs:

Dual blood device with attic

The most important thing in the construction of an attic is the rafter system, which, like a skeleton, like a frame, bears the weight of the roof, gives it the necessary shape and serves as the basis for the floors. Therefore, it must be strong and able to withstand heavy loads. In order not to have doubts about its reliability, it is better to first carry out an engineering calculation with your own hands or using a calculator to calculate the temporary and permanent loads to which it will be subjected. Each rafter system consists of the following elements:

• Mauerlat. The base for the roof, which is attached flush along the upper perimeter of the load-bearing walls. Usually it is used as a beam, the cross-section of which depends on the mass of the roof. They attach it to metal studs or fittings, having previously waterproofed it using roofing felt.
• Rafters. Boards measuring 50x150 mm or 100x150 mm, installed at an angle, with the upper part meeting the ridge and the lower part resting on the mauerlat. Rafter legs - main support element systems, they are the ones who give the roof a triangular shape, forming its slope. The distance between them is set in the range from 60 to 120 cm.
• Horse. Top corner triangle of a gable roof, formed at the meeting point of two rafter legs.
• Crossbars, guy wires. Horizontal reinforcing elements installed between the rafters in order to absorb the bursting load. The higher this element is located, the thicker the timber is chosen for it.
• Racks, grandmas. Vertical supports located under the center of the rafter or under the ridge on which the roof rests. They transfer the load from the ridge to the load-bearing internal walls.
• Strut. Rafter legs, corner supporting elements that transfer the load from the rafters to the load-bearing partition.
• Sill. Essentially the same Mauerlat, only located on top of the inner load-bearing floor, also made from square timber.
• Fight. A horizontal bar that absorbs the thrust load between the vertical supports of large roofs.
• Lathing. The base on which it is subsequently laid roof covering. Most often, unedged boards or moisture-resistant plywood sheets are used for it. A gable roof is equipped with a solid or lattice sheathing, depending on the roofing material.

Installation steps

If you want to limit construction costs, best option for you - a gable roof with a residential attic. You can build it with your own hands in a couple of weeks, and a small professional team can do it in a matter of days. Construction should begin with the installation of lower beams, which can only be dispensed with if there is wooden floor. The next step is the installation of racks, they are secured with brackets or tenons and supported with temporary braces for greater stability, because they will become the “skeleton” of the attic. Next, the installation of the Mauerlat begins, on which the rafter legs are attached. Only straight boards, without knots, can be used as rafters.

First of all, the rafter legs are adjusted at the gables, and then along the entire length of the walls in increments of 60-120 cm, depending on the width of the insulation and the weight of the roofing material. The final part of the work should be the installation of waterproofing, vapor barrier, sheathing, and counter-lattice. If a gable roof with an attic will be used as housing, it must be insulated using basalt-based mineral wool, ecowool or polystyrene foam. At the end, the gables and overhangs are sheathed with any lumber, and the roof surface is covered with metal tiles, ondulin or euro-slate. So, spending a minimum of money, you can increase the living space of your home by one and a half times, making it comfortable and attractive!

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