Long gone are the days when the attic of a private house was perceived as a dusty, uninhabitable attic where there were old and unnecessary things that the owners for some reason were in no hurry to throw away. Today, in most modern cottages andmansions, this spacious and cozy room is filled with light from large windows in the walls and on the roof.
In the attic, a comfortable space for relaxation, greenhouses, small gyms and even living rooms are made.
But in order for it to be suitable for living and spending time, this room must be carefully prepared to create a living space there.
We arrange the attic ourselves.
A beautiful, cozy and warm attic with your own hands? It is quite possible if you have construction and repair skills .
You will have to do the following:
- – create, correctly calculate and design the project (it is better to entrust this to a specialist, so that there are no shortcomings and inconsistencies);
- – create a high-quality rafter system (strengthen the attic structurally);
- – to insulate and then waterproof the premises (especially the ceiling space);
- – erect a special roof for the attic (if there is none).
Rafter system.
This is a very important element of the attic. It is necessary to design it correctly (it is possible with the involvement of a specialist) so that it can fully perform the functions of the load-bearing structure of the room, be ideally suited to the building material and purpose of the attic. It “holds” not only the full weight of the “roofing cake”, but also protects the premises from the influence of loads from external factors (for example, snow). The rafter system is usually calculated based on the area in which your house is being built / was built and taking into account the material from which it is built. Therefore, in order to create an effective power structure of the attic, it is better to involve a professional in order not to make certain mistakes and not to spoil the materials for the roof.
Attic. Roofing cake.
The roofing pie is a multi-layered type of construction that provides the roof with full protection from various adverse factors.
It prevents heat loss and moisture penetration into the attic. Materials for it are chosen based on their financial resources. These can be different types of mineral wool, vapor barrier products (slate, polyethylene film, parchment, etc.). In order for the roofing cake to be effective, it is created from insulation, vapor- and waterproofing materials.
Insulation, steam and waterproofing of the attic.
Attic insulation must be approached very responsibly. It is the most “open” room to the outside environment and therefore loses heat much more intensively than the lower levels.
In order for the thermal insulation of the attic to be good, it is necessary:
- – create a contour (continuous) insulation completely around the perimeter of the room;
- – to ensure reliable steam and asheville water heaters insulation around the heat-insulating layer, as well as its ventilation.
Vapor insulation can be created with the help of a special film that traps moisture while allowing air to pass through, and prevents fungus and various molds from forming on the ceiling and walls.
For complete removal of moisture (waterproofing), which for some reason gets on the heat-insulating material, ventilation must be provided between the layers of the roofing and insulation.
It must be carried out through certain holes, which must be located at different heights (to create a pressure drop). Due to such gaps, atmospheric moisture that has fallen under the roof covering is removed.
Do-it-yourself attic is a rather complex process that requires the qualifications of a builder and extensive experience in similar work. But if everything is done according to special technology, under the control of a competent specialist, then you can create a truly wonderful living space.