Few places exude as much romance and allure as a well-appointed attic. Perhaps because attics have often been inhabited by young people “until they settle down properly,” they’ve always carried a sense of freedom and independence. Of course, despite some limitations, attics, when properly renovated, can be an excellent solution for a family’s permanent residence.
Assessing the Viability of Attic Renovation
Structural Considerations: The Role of Roof Construction
When roughly dividing attic renovation into two categories, there are two options. The first is to expand the existing living unit by converting the attic, expecting it to offer two additional rooms, or an extra living area or workspace. The second, more complicated version involves creating a completely separate living unit in the attic.
Structural Challenges and Opportunities
First, it’s necessary to assess whether attic renovation is even worthwhile. Much depends on the roof structure. If it’s a so-called “roof truss” in the attic space, with many supports holding the roof, making it impossible to create free space, then it complicates the procedure and often renders it financially unviable.
Flooring Considerations
Moreover, before starting the work, attention should be paid to the attic floor. If it’s a concrete slab, there’s no issue. However, in older buildings, the ceiling on the top floor is often not concrete but some insulating construction, often made of reeds.
Pre-Renovation Preparations
Checking for Leaks and Waterproofing
Before renovation, it’s necessary to check for leaks. This is easiest to determine by going into the attic during heavy rainfall. In a dry and dusty environment, any signs of leaking are easily detected.
Understanding Basic Costs
Cost Breakdown: Materials and Installation
Attic renovation typically involves installing roof windows. The indicative price of roof windows is around 220 euros per square meter, (100 euros is approximately 107 dollars) plus installation, which is about 50 euros per square meter.
Additional Expenses: Stairs and Electrical Installations
Entering the attic also entails stairs. This is an additional cost but often complicates the procedure, as stairs take up space in the apartment from which you need to access the attic.
Challenges of Plumbing and Heating
Much more problematic are water and sewage. If you want a bathroom and kitchen, it’s best to place them above the bathroom in the lower living unit because there’s already a wet room there.
Conclusion: Making an Informed Decision
Assessing Viability and Planning Ahead
Whatever option you choose, it’s also necessary to solve the heating problem. All these are tasks that need to be checked before starting the work to see all the costs and make a decision about whether it’s worth investing in renovation.
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HOW TO INSULATE AN UNUSED ATTIC
IMPORTANCE OF VAPOR PERMEABLE ROOFING MEMBRANES
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