Do-it-yourself attic insulation in a private house. Do-it-yourself attic insulation, what do you need to know about it? Rooms under the roof of a village house

Attic insulation is an important part general thermal insulation Houses.

The insulation of any structure must be approached comprehensively. All experts say so.

After all, support temperature regime in a house, regardless of its construction material, it is impossible to maintain it at the proper level by insulating only the walls.

Therefore, both the floor and the ceiling, especially the attic, are subject to thermal insulation. Question: “How to insulate an attic?” It is very acute if it concerns a wooden, private building.

Everyone knows the law of physics, according to which warm air has a lower specific gravity, therefore it always rises when the cold air remains at the bottom. The same thing happens in the rooms of the premises. Warm air rises to their ceiling, cold air is closer to the floor. If thermal insulation of the ceiling or attic is not carried out, then warm air freely penetrates through the structural material of the ceiling and gives it part of its energy. In a word, if you do not insulate the ceiling and attic of a house, then about 30% of all heat loss from the building passes through it.

Features of insulating the attic of a wooden house

It is necessary to insulate the attic in a residential building to avoid heat leakage.

To properly insulate an attic wooden structure, you need to remember a few rules:

Warm air always contains water impurities, that is, warm air in a room is always saturated with household steam. A tree constantly in the atmosphere high humidity, may lose its technical characteristics or simply rot. Therefore, when carrying out thermal insulation of this structure, it is necessary to remember about the waterproofing layer;
wood is capable of passing air through itself, that is, it “breathes.” Air and steam in it can end up on the surface and in the thickness of the insulating material, even if it is located outside the structure, so an additional layer of waterproofing material is also needed here;
wood, in comparison with other structural materials of buildings (brick, metal structures), is characterized by lower bearing capacity, That's why insulation material For wooden house should not place additional load on the floor;
The thermal insulation material must have fire-fighting characteristics to prevent the spread of fire in a wooden building.

Mineral wool, glass wool

Mineral wool, glass wool - the materials are environmentally friendly products, fire-resistant, lightweight, and easy to install. However, it has high rates of vapor permeability and water absorption, and therefore requires waterproofing or a vapor barrier.

Polyurethane foam

Technology of insulating the attic of a house with polyurethane foam.

Polyurethane foam - obtained from gas-filled plastics, sold in the form of pressure cylinders, applied by conventional spraying to the desired surface. Advantage – forms a seamless coating, which prevents the formation of cold bridges, differs high degree adhesion in wooden surface, therefore it does not require additional fasteners. It is lightweight, therefore it does not exert additional pressure on the ceiling, has high heat and sound insulation, and does not absorb moisture.

Polyurethane foam does not rot, withstands aggressive environments, and microorganisms do not develop on its surface. It is characterized by strength and rigidity, it does not absorb water and does not allow steam to pass through it. The disadvantage is the high price compared to similar products.

Expanded polystyrene

Expanded polystyrene - it is mistakenly called polystyrene foam. Expanded polystyrene, unlike polystyrene foam, undergoes several additional processing stages, which is why it is characterized by increased strength. Properly organized on its basis, the insulating layer in the attic of a wooden house is vapor-tight. Expanded polystyrene is moisture resistant, but does not tolerate the action of organic solvents. It helps the fire spread.

How to properly insulate an attic - execution technique

If the attic space of a wooden house is not planned to be converted into a living room, it is enough to simply insulate the floor. Stages of the insulation process:

You can properly insulate the attic of a private house with your own hands.

clean the surface of debris and rot, treat the floor with an antiseptic; if there are cracks, they must be additionally caulked;
the attic is covered with a waterproofing film, but it must allow steam to pass through, otherwise the ceiling will rot;
erect logs to which it will subsequently be attached finishing coat floor, and lay the thermal insulation in even layers without gaps;
a layer of waterproofing, but it should no longer allow steam to pass through;
if the attic will subsequently serve as a living space, the insulation is additionally covered with expanded clay and then knitted;
finishing.

How to properly insulate a pitched roof of a wooden house

First, the entire surface is covered with a waterproofing film. It is laid with an overlap so that no joints are formed using construction tape;
Next, the insulation is laid. Works well in his capacity mineral wool, but only in the form of mats. It holds its shape perfectly and does not sag when in a vertical position. Mineral wool is laid between the rafters and fixed using slatted lathing or a mesh made of nylon cord;
the vapor barrier layer will not allow steam in the air to penetrate into the thickness of the insulation, thereby reducing its technical characteristics, but at the same time will allow the thermal insulation to “breathe”. The vapor barrier is attached to the rafters on top of the insulation and secured with construction tape;
finishing - fiberboard or chipboard, you can use plasterboard.

Converting an attic into a living attic is one of the cheapest ways to increase living space in a private house. Here you can successfully arrange a recreation room, living room, nursery, or divide the attic into two or three small rooms. In short, there are many options for using additional space.

Arranging a room in the attic

It is much easier to provide for the possibility of equipping an attic space as an attic at the stage of designing a house. You will have to spend more on construction, but you can save significantly on labor costs, insulation and finishing work.

It will be easier to install heating, water supply, and sewerage into the room under the roof. In practice, developers often leave the possibility of converting an attic for the distant future. Especially when the customer seeks to save money on construction.

When arranging a living room in the attic, one must not forget about high-quality waterproofing

Typically, an attic conversion does not require any external work. All insulation and landscaping work is carried out indoors, and if desired, some of it can be done with your own hands.

It will be necessary to repair the floor, insulate the roof slopes from the inside, decorate the room from the inside, lay internal communications, and install a convenient staircase.

Floor arrangement

Before starting work, it is necessary to carefully examine the condition of the rafters and beams: whether they are damaged by moisture due to a possibly leaking roof, or whether they are affected by pests. If damage is detected, it is imperative to eliminate its cause and repair existing load-bearing structures, and, if necessary, repair the roof.

It is also necessary to take into account that when rebuilding the attic, the load on the supporting structures will increase. Therefore, when converting an attic into a living space, it is necessary to carry out appropriate calculations and strengthen the existing floor.

Examples of attic floors

This is usually done using wooden or metal beams in such a way that the floor is able to withstand the weight of furniture and people. You shouldn’t do this yourself; it’s better to turn to specialists.

The internal layout of the attic should be carried out using lightweight materials to minimize the load on the floors.

When arranging the floor, we must not forget about the need for high-quality vapor barrier!

Insulation

If the attic will be used all year round, insulating the roof slopes from the inside is certainly not the stage at which you should save. Typically private houses are designed with gable roof and surface area in contact with environment more than other rooms. In winter, the roof retains almost no heat, and in summer its slopes can heat up to 100 degrees.

In addition, after insulation, the room under the roof always accumulates moisture much more actively. If you wish, you can carry out the insulation work yourself. But if they are carried out incorrectly or if you save too much, moisture will accumulate in the insulation and it will not be able to fully perform its functions.

Comparative characteristics insulation for roofing

It is necessary to leave a gap of 2-2.5 cm wide between the insulation and the sheathing. Then the air, passing through the air intakes left at the base of the roof, will circulate freely in this layer, absorbing moisture from the insulation and removing it through the ventilation ducts in the roof ridge.

There is always a gap of at least 2 centimeters between the insulation and the sheathing.

Heating

Conducting heat into the attic is usually not particularly difficult. Another thing is that the power available in the house may not be enough to fully heat another room.

If you want to build another stove, you should consult a specialist. It is possible to arrange heating of the attic with gas with the possibility of removing the generated gas through a fireplace from steel pipes, installed here in the attic.

Chimney decoration

An indoor chimney can be a significant problem. If it has not been used for a long time, then it can simply be dismantled, but if it is a working chimney, all that can be done with it is to whitewash it. And when decorating the interior of the attic, everything should be wooden parts place no closer than 5 cm to the pipe. It is also forbidden to line the chimney.

However, there is a way out: create a chimney around the pipe self-supporting structure and install the lining on it, taking into account the gap between the lining and the chimney. So you can fit the chimney into overall design attics at the lowest cost.

The scheme for converting an attic into a room directly depends on the type of roof of the house

Interior decorative finishing

For interior decoration Any materials are suitable, depending on the chosen style of the future room. The only requirement for them is that they should be, if possible, lightweight materials. Especially if the attic is planned to be divided into two or more rooms.

The ideal option for decorating an attic is wood. Such finishing, of course, will not be cheap. But it is distinguished by quality, beauty, durability and will create unique comfort.

More budget method interior design - using lining or MDF panels.

If the height of the attic is not sufficient for arranging a room there, then the roof can be raised by building up the walls

One of the popular options for decorating an attic is using drywall. This is the most practical and affordable way, which, in combination with insulation, can provide the room with excellent thermal insulation. This material is lightweight, you can use it to create any design, and after installation you can cover it with decorative plaster or paint it yourself.

Attic lighting

Room lighting is a very important part of the interior. It is necessary to take into account how the attic will be illuminated at different times of the day, because people will also be here day and night.

Daylighting

Number of windows in attic room may be different. They may vary in shape and size. Windows at the ends of the room do not allow efficient use of daylight. But the streams of light coming through from above are much more powerful, and installing windows in the roof slopes is usually not difficult.

Artificial lighting

The choice of artificial lighting is significantly influenced by the design of the room. In this case, a variety of lamps can be used. Spotlights are perfect for both general lighting and as an addition to existing lighting. There are many options for their location.

The optimal scheme for arranging an attic for a room involves the presence of an aerator for the under-roof space

Crystal diffusers. Providing a special play of light and shadow will make the attic design special. Fiber optic threads. Using a variety of optical fibers connected to an energy source, you can complement the design of a bedroom or children's room with a starry sky.

Fluorescent lamps. They are built into suspended ceilings, so that only the luminous part of the lamps is visible, and their use will significantly reduce energy costs. Local sources. Various desk lamp, night lamps, floor lamps or sconces, with the help of which certain areas of the room are illuminated. They will add a bit of coziness to the overall design of the room.

For the attic, directional is best suited spot lighting, which can be created using LED lamps.

Ladder

Stairs can be ladders, reinforced concrete, concrete or wood. By type, staircases are divided into marching and spiral. An extension ladder is a temporary option, suitable only until a permanent ladder is installed.

Sectional diagram of finishing a room in the attic with plasterboard

Concrete and reinforced concrete are reliable, but suitable only for a brick or stone house. Wooden stairs are more versatile and can be made with your own hands. Marching stairs are more common because they are the easiest to make and the most convenient.

Plus spiral staircases the fact that they do not take up much space in the lower room. But they are very narrow and steep, so you need to go down them carefully.

In reality, turning an attic into a cozy living room is not too difficult. The first thing we can recommend is a design in the loft style, specially designed for the design of attics.

Sometimes storage rooms are also installed in the corners of the attic, since it is difficult for people to access there

A good solution would be to choose an abstract style. You can decorate the attic in Provence, country or chalet style. It will be additionally good for the bedroom East style. IN classic style attics are decorated less frequently.

Video

You can watch a short video that shows how to convert an attic into a cozy living room.

Photo gallery

In order for the house to be warm, and we do not have to overpay for heating, it is necessary to take care of high-quality insulation of the walls, floor and roof. It is also important to insulate the ceiling of a private house in the attic. There are several options for how to insulate an attic in a private home inexpensively and efficiently. How to do it yourself, what materials can be used for this? Let's consider this issue in more detail.

How to insulate the attic of a private house correctly?

An attic is a space under a sloping roof that is not used for residential purposes. If the roof slopes are not thermally insulated, insulating material can be placed on the ceiling dividing the space under the roof with the living rooms.

The roof space that is not used for living often lacks an insulating layer, which creates the need to lay a buffer zone to insulate the roofing. The complete absence of such insulation is allowed only when the room is unheated, for example, a garage. In other cases, it is necessary to retain the heat that is used for heating living rooms, since warm air tends to rise. To save money spent on heating, it is necessary to prevent its leakage through the roof.

Before starting renovations, it is very important to learn how to properly insulate an attic in a private home; many factors should be taken into account. These include roof design features and attic height.

What is the best way to insulate the attic of a private house with a concrete floor?

Concrete floor - monolithic or prefabricated, is usually intended for residential attics. Sometimes, however, this solution is also used for non-residential roofs. How and how to insulate the attic floor in a private house made of concrete?

The concrete floor is insulated after construction and finishing of the roof. This operation will not be difficult as long as we have easy access to the attic, and also if the height of the attic allows for free movement.

The most commonly used material in such cases is mineral wool. Particularly recommended are compressed mats, which are gradually expanded up to the nominal thickness. The resilient surface easily fills all the nooks and crannies of the attic. The mats should be placed close to each other without any gaps between them that could lead to heat loss.

It is much more difficult to achieve this result using stiffer materials such as expanded polystyrene, extruded polystyrene or polyurethane foam.

To create a structure, insulation must be laid between wooden beams, to which boards or wood panels will be screwed to form the floor.

You can also make a mineral lining from a mineral solution, which is poured onto the insulation insulated with foil, but this solution is rarely used.

How to insulate the attic of a house with bulk insulation?

If the attic is too low, then the work should not be very difficult and time-consuming, good decision There will be insulation using one of the bulk insulating materials:

granulated cotton wool;
polystyrene granules;
cellulose fibers.

The thickness of the insulating layer depends on the material used and the thermal permeability of the ceiling. The average thickness is approximately 20 cm.

How to insulate a wooden ceiling?

If the ceiling is wooden, it is better to insulate the attic of a private house with your own hands in a slightly different way. Thermal insulation is placed primarily between the beams. In this case, materials made from mineral wool or wood derivatives are used. How to insulate the attic of a private house with mineral wool? Thanks to their excellent elasticity, slabs or mats fill gaps between ceiling beams very well. Before insulating the attic of a private house with mineral wool, you should lay a lining from the bottom of the roof. If it will be a plasterboard suspended ceiling, it is good to place an additional layer of insulation on the underside of the attic. Will also be isolated wooden beams, which has a very positive effect on the heat transfer of the entire layer.

Additionally, if the ceiling is insulated this way, it will be easier to build a batten or OSB floor on it. If you decide not to insulate suspended ceiling, then an additional heat-insulating layer will be located in the attic. Construction of the floor will then be more difficult for two reasons. First you need to be perpendicular to ceiling beams nail beams with a cross section of 4 x 6 cm and put an insulating layer between them; in addition, the surface of such a floor will ultimately be higher, thereby reducing the height of the attic.

Photo. When insulating a wooden ceiling, the thermal insulation material is placed primarily between the beams

For insulation wooden ceilings Polystyrene is not used in its traditional form, but the space between the beams can be filled with polystyrene granules. However, the light weight of such backfill, despite good thermal insulation, does not provide the ceiling with satisfactory sound insulation. Also, this type of insulation material does not provide sufficient fire protection for wood.

Among bulk insulation materials, mineral wool granules or cellulose fibers are much more profitable. Both products have very good thermal insulation properties, provide good sound insulation and protect the structure in the event of a fire.

In buildings that have an unused attic, it is cost effective to implement a truss roof structure. Precast elements replace traditional rafters. They form large triangles that are located tightly next to each other.

The space under the roof with this design is severely limited by beveled beams. However, it is almost impossible to insulate such an attic using slabs or mats. Most rational decision in this case, blower insulation using polystyrene granules or cellulose fibers is used.

The air flow fills the space through the holes in gable walls, through the sunroof, or through the so-called inspection hole.

Bulk material can scatter very densely throughout all the nooks and crannies of this attic. Insulation work should be carried out only after the construction of the ceiling is completed. It is also necessary to check whether the ceiling can support the weight of such insulation, and appropriate reinforcement may need to be provided.

Attic ventilation

Since many insulating materials, including mineral wool, lose their insulating properties as a result of increased humidity, you need to make sure that the attic space is provided with adequate ventilation. Good ventilation is provided by air intakes on the eaves and exhaust holes made in the gable walls. They must be protected with a net to prevent the entry of birds and small animals. Upper layer It is advisable to cover insulating materials with high elasticity with a windproof film, then less heat will be blown out of the insulation.

How to insulate an attic in a private house video

The attic space often remains uninhabited and serves as a closet. When building a house in the attic, only rough work is often performed, but over time, residents regret this choice. With proper planning, such a room can be converted into an additional living room or even a studio apartment, which is very popular in European countries.

Stages of work

Many owners of private houses want to know how to make the attic habitable, but do not know where to start. The first stage in such a situation is planning. Before work, the purpose of the future room is determined; if there is a workshop there, then it is necessary to take care of natural lighting; if it is a living room, attention is paid to insulation.

The main stages of work on arranging the attic include:

space planning;
roof and floor insulation;
design.

After drawing up a plan for the future premises, you need to make a list of the necessary materials and tools.

Note! In addition to the costs of insulation and roofing, you will have to spend money on finishing and decorative materials.

Space layout

Often the roof is attached closely to the mauerlat, so using this space is almost impossible. In such cases, the walls of the attic room are shifted towards the ridge of the roof from the walls of the building. Often this technique deprives the room visual space, so walls are not installed in the attic. Installing furniture in such a room is more difficult, but it looks very interesting.

To make the attic a full-fledged living space, install additional windows. Most often this is done in the gables of the house, but if there are transverse walls in the attic this is impossible. In such a situation, windows that cut into the roof slope are used. Similar techniques are often used in Western architecture and can give the house an unusual look.

When planning an attic, it is often difficult to organize the entrance area. To do this, use compact folding or.

Insulation

The progress of insulation depends on the condition of the attic. There will be less work if high-quality thermal insulation of the floor has been carried out. A large amount of heat loss in a house occurs through the roof, so insulating it will not only allow you to create another living room, but will also reduce heating costs.

Floor insulation

Often in old houses thermal insulation layer on the floor no longer performs its functions. Dwellings located in humid and cold climates are especially susceptible to this. Floor insulation in the attic must meet the following parameters:

protect the house from the cold;
have little weight;
be safe for humans.

Any material for rough finishing (boards, chipboard) is suitable for floor insulation. This type of insulation is suitable for rooms with a small height; it allows you to save an extra 20-30 cm of space.

For a house with a large and high attic, use slab or roll insulation with glass wool. The material has a low cost and retains heat well, while it is lightweight, which is very important in attic spaces.

The “pie” of floor insulation is laid directly between the beams. The first layer is a vapor barrier, it is better not to skimp on it, but they also use a special one for these purposes. plastic film. Placed on top of it tiled insulation, for example, mineral wool. The material is laid in two layers to prevent “cold bridges”. If the floor beams are in good condition, then the floor is laid directly on them, otherwise additional sheathing will have to be done. For greater effect, the attic is insulated from the outside using a similar technology.

Note! Foil insulation is laid metal coating down.

After tile material lay the finishing floor. For this, wood, linoleum, tiles, etc. are used.

Roof insulation

Insulating the roof of a residential building requires special care. To protect the premises and roof structure from moisture, it is necessary to take care of waterproofing. The waterproofing film is laid as the first layer, attached with special strips to the rafters.

Important! The waterproofing film is laid overlapping so that moisture remains outside.

A continuous layer of mineral wool or other insulation is laid inside the rafters. Special glue is applied to the mineral wool slabs with a spatula and the slabs are pressed between the rafters. The material can also be fixed with self-tapping screws or nails. The plates are placed in a checkerboard pattern, this protects the room from the cold. Ventilation is also insulated during work.

Moisture reduces the properties of insulation, so during construction it is necessary to protect it with a vapor barrier layer. For this they use vapor barrier films or membranes. The material is roll type, so it is convenient to attach it to the rafters. Used for fixation construction stapler To ensure that the joints remain tight, use special construction tape at the puncture sites.

When the insulation is attached, proceed to the sheathing for finishing. The type of construction largely depends on the type finishing material. Most universal material- lathing over the rafters, this saves material and time. The crossbars are placed on the beams in increments of 25-30 cm. You can attach them on top decorative panels or other material.

If the interior decoration of the house requires complex design, under which you need to hide communications and other shortcomings of the building, then use a frame made of metal profiles.

Design

The decoration and arrangement of the future room directly depends on its purpose. Attics and attics are often used for:

Workshop;
Cabinet;
Billiard room;
Bedrooms.

At large area premises, you can create a space with several full zones.

The decoration and style of the room largely depend on the interior and material of the house. Authentic buildings made of wood and stone are often finished decorative lining or an array. Such an interior is often complemented with rough accessories and textiles made from natural fabrics and wool.

The popular loft style does not require any special refinements in wall decoration: decorative plaster, metal furniture - all this is perfect for houses made of brick or concrete blocks.

Lovers of coziness and comfort will appreciate classic interior solutions. Decorating the walls with wallpaper or discreet paint will allow you to truly create a cozy room. And a homemade interior is especially precious for household members.

For those who find it difficult to decide on the choice of decorative materials and the style of the room, the following tips are suitable:

A minimalistic approach to choosing furniture will help not only save space, but also money. Instead of massive cabinets and chests of drawers, it is better to use functional containers, hangers and shelves. When arranging a bedroom, the bed can be placed against the lowest wall.
To visually expand the room, suitable bright hues walls and ceiling. To dilute such interiors they use active color accents, this could be textiles, light sources or furniture. To prevent the accents from looking pretentious, one of the walls can be painted in a similar, but less active shade.

Construction of a residential building is a labor-intensive and financially expensive process. Often, the construction of an additional floor during the construction of a house has to be abandoned due to a lack of finances. However, over time, home owners often wonder: how to increase the living space in the house? It is possible to expand the living space in a house without adding new buildings. The simplest solution is to use the attic as a living space. To magically transform a nondescript and dusty room into a cozy and functional room, it is necessary to carry out a complex of works.

When carrying out repairs or construction of an attic space, you should draw up a preliminary action plan. This will help avoid additional costs and optimize the conversion of the attic into living rooms. The sequence of actions is as follows:

Plan and drawing. Before starting repairs, you should draw up a detailed plan drawing. There are specialized computer programs for this. Planning can be done traditional way by drawing up a project on paper. The drawings must take into account: the height between the floor and the ceiling, the dimensions of the elements rafter system and other highlights.
Definition of functionality. The residential attic floor can be turned into a bedroom, children's room, family recreation area or office.

Important!
The height between the floor and ceiling in a residential attic must be at least 2.1 meters. If the height is below the established indicator, the level of living comfort decreases.

Before you begin, you should determine the functional purpose of the attic space.

Cleaning. Before the beginning construction work The attic needs cleaning. After cleaning, you should once again check the plan drawing with the actual room.
Inspection. In order for the room to be comfortable and safe for living, it is necessary to inspect its structural parts for possible breakdowns and damage, identify design flaws and carry out repairs.
Planning and purchasing. After the estimate has been prepared and the choice building material and the roof covering has been produced, we begin purchasing.

A sample plan may include many sub-items, it all depends on the situation, architectural features structure and wishes of the residents of the house.

Choosing a roof covering

As you know, the attic crowns the entire structure of a private house, located under its roof. Therefore, the height of the roof and the choice of material for roofing are one of the main ones when arranging a living space. The most wear-resistant and durable types of coating include:

metal tiles;
roll materials with high bitumen content;
asbestos cement sheets of regular or reinforced profile.

The choice of coating material depends on several factors, one of the most important being the type, slope angle, structure and architecture. It is the choice of coating material that is important in order to equip reliable protection from moisture and atmospheric phenomena, ventilation, to create optimal temperature conditions and comfort in the room under the roof. When choosing a material, it is worth performing approximate calculations to take into account the degree of load on the roof of the house and the rafter system. This will help increase the service life of the structure and avoid unpleasant situations (cracks, collapse).

Stairs to the attic

Reconstruction of a dark and unattractive attic space is a complex undertaking. The question of how to equip the entrance to the attic worries many. The staircase is a classic solution, but it’s not that simple! There are a huge number of design options. Each type of staircase has its own characteristics and advantages, so making a choice is not easy.

Important!
A wide straight staircase, matching the design of the house, looks expensive, solid and aesthetically pleasing, but “steals” precious meters of living space.

More democratic and inexpensive option the attic entrance equipment is foldable staircase design. It is less monumental in appearance, but no less reliable in operation.

Types of non-stationary stairs for a private house:

Folding design is a traditional ladder that you can make with your own hands, having basic knowledge.
Retractable design - when assembled, it is hidden behind the hatch cover from view and does not interfere with the aesthetics of the interior.
Sliding design– compact and reliable, consists of several sections and a sliding mechanism.

In order to make the arrangement of the entrance to the attic as comfortable as possible for each of the household members, it is necessary to calculate the size of the stairs and the number of steps. First of all, we measure the distance between the ceiling and the subfloor and make an approximate calculation based on the average height of the step. When all the calculations have been made, you can make an estimate for the purchase required material and make the design yourself. detailed information is on our website. When choosing a staircase to the attic of a private house, it is important to understand who will use it most often. If it is intended for elderly people or children, the requirements for the convenience and safety of entering the attic increase (making handrails or).

Insulation of a residential attic

To create comfortable conditions living in the attic of a private house, you should pay attention Special attention insulation of the room. The work can be done with your own hands, without involving expensive specialists. The main thing is to follow these rules:

The first step is to make sure the integrity of the roof and roofing. If damaged areas or gaps in the coating are found, they must be sealed using construction tape. If the integrity of the roof covering is damaged on a large scale, restoration work should be carried out or it should be completely covered.
Next, the integrity of the rafter system is checked. Remember that even minor deviations from the norm can cause a violation of the integrity of the entire structure.
Special slats are attached to the rafter legs, which in the future will provide a gap for ventilation between the insulation layer and the roof. First, a hard covering, for example, roofing felt, is secured, and slats are attached on top of it.

Advice!
Reiki for ventilation gap must be attached exclusively along the rafter legs. If you attach it across, the strength of the structure will significantly decrease.

We attach the insulation. The choice of material for attic insulation depends on the design features and financial capabilities of the home owners. To insulate a living space in the attic, you can choose:

mineral wool;
expanded polystyrene boards;
kraft paper, straw or sawdust.

There is an unspoken rule of choice thermal insulation material: the steeper the roof slopes of the house, the denser the insulation should be. Expanded clay is often used as an option for insulating floors between floors. The use of expanded clay is especially important for concrete floor floor in the attic of a residential building. When insulating a residential attic space, you should remember about vapor barrier. When choosing a material such as foil-coated mineral wool, an additional vapor barrier layer is not needed.

Correct and attic ceiling

Heating

Insulating the attic does not guarantee warmth in the room under the roof. Using the attic of a house as additional living space implies organizing a high-quality communication system. One of the aspects of a comfortable pastime, especially in cold period year, is heating. Installing a heating system in the attic of a house makes it possible to use this space year-round. There are several options for solving the problem:

Using a stationary heating system.
Fireplace equipment in the attic.
Using electrical appliances to heat a room.

Each of the proposed options is feasible, but has its own characteristics. To install a traditional heating system, you will need to run pipes into the attic. After this, the heated area is calculated and radiators are installed. A fireplace in a room under the roof is an original idea. Undoubtedly, having a fireplace in a room is always cozy and warm. When carrying out construction, it is better to make an additional branch for the fireplace, which in the future will be connected to the general heating system Houses. The design of such a system is complicated by the need for a powerful feed pump. This will help cope with the increased workload. In addition, you need to take into account that a high-quality chimney must be installed for the fireplace, and this will lead to additional financial expenses. Using electric heating devices to heat a room under a roof is the most cost-effective way. It does not require the construction or arrangement of specialized premises, chimneys or compartments.

Advice!
When choosing equipment, you should take into account the power of the devices and remember the fire safety techniques of a private home.

Electric heating has disadvantages: high energy consumption, risk of fire, drying out the air in the room. When choosing the safest and most economical heating option, experts advise giving preference to an autonomous heating system.

Lighting

In order for natural light to freely enter the rooms under the roof, translucent structures are needed. In this case the only thing the right decision will become . Important point in the process of preparing for installing a window into the roof slopes - manufacturing with inside durable wooden frame, which will help hold window frames and prevent possible deformation. The frame is installed between rafter legs, therefore the width is ordered taking into account this distance and thickness of the beams. Windows can be installed on gables or directly in the roof of the house. What are the advantages skylights?

Saving on energy costs. Such windows allow you to increase throughput natural light by 40%.
Exquisite design. Windows help create a unique atmosphere in the room under the roof; they organically complement the design, creating spaciousness in the room.
Functionality. Manufacturers offer various configurations and functional loads of windows for attic spaces.

As for wiring into the attic to create high-quality artificial lighting, there are several proven methods:

laying wires over the walls, hiding them in special plastic boxes;
arrangement of hidden electrical wiring by laying the wires under the inner lining.

The first method is the simplest; you can do it quickly and easily with your own hands. The second method is more technically complex, since the standards and requirements for fire safety private house. Hidden wiring laid at the stage of installation of the frame, wall and ceiling cladding.

Important!
When settling in hidden wiring, copper wire fits into a special corrugated metal sleeve. After this, it is mounted into the wall.

When the electrical wiring is installed in the attic, all sockets and switches are placed in their places, you can begin the most exciting stage - interior planning. Flights of imagination are welcome here! You can choose classic style solutions, cozy Country or gentle Provence. For young people you can create an urban room under a roof in the Loft style, and for children - a fabulous dream island.

Transforming a dusty and dark attic into a cozy and spacious room under the roof itself - the process is labor-intensive and requires financial costs. Knowing the secrets and tricks, following the rules and advice of experts, you can transform a non-residential property in a short time cold attic under the roof into additional living space.

Transforming an Abandoned Attic