Two-storey house with an attic: beautiful projects

The attic is the attic space located on the last floor of the house. Such building options are becoming more popular every day. There are many beautiful examples of two-story houses with an attic. The main thing is to know how to create the right project.

Features

The history of houses with an attic dates back to the middle of the XVII century. The founder of an interesting and unusual architectural phenomenon was the Frenchman François Mansart, in whose honor similar buildings were named.

The main features and at the same time advantages of such houses are:

the absolute diversity of geometric shapes - from triangular to broken silhouette,
the ability to use the infrastructure of a used building,
increased comfort and degree on the thermometer in winter due to reduced heat loss,
the attic can be installed in two levels, which will undoubtedly expand the space for creating additional work or sleeping places,
dormer-windows are a separate charm - they give the opportunity to enjoy daylight by 40% more than front windows,
aesthetic component - because of the sloping ceilings, the attic space looks free and romantic, which, of course, positively affects the emotional state of the tenant.

Still, it is worth paying tribute to France with its characteristic romanticism - it was thanks to her that we got Francois with his innovations.

Despite the features and advantages, the construction of a two-story house with an attic must be approached with special attention.

Some important points to note:

the attic floor is subject to the effects of both the internal and the external world, therefore it is necessary to pay enough attention to isolation from moisture and steam,
to work on the insulation of the under-roof space,
building standards must be strictly adhered to,
Before building the attic floor, it is worth visiting it with friends to understand in advance whether this building is suitable for the emotional and physical state of the potential tenant.

The fact is that psychologists do not recommend living in rooms where the walls are inclined, since it depresses the nervous system due to a feeling of pressure on a subconscious level.

For the right and high-quality engineering solutions, it is necessary to turn to professionals, which will significantly reduce the risk of missing any important nuances.

It is very important to provide the room with good lighting outside of daytime for longer comfort. Try to place a berth in the darkest corner.

Projects

A distinctive feature of buildings erected from brick, foam blocks or aerated concrete is durability. But it is worthwhile to understand that a thorough approach to the organization of the foundation is vital for the construction. A foundation of poor quality can lead to cracks, which, of course, will not allow further operation of the building.

The plan shows a 2-storey house 9x9 m.

Such living areas need to be warmed up well and for a long time in order to achieve a temperature comfortable for living. The thing is that brick, foam concrete and aerated concrete are capable of absorbing and retaining heat for a long time.

In matters of design, it is most practical to turn to piece materials. The stone structure can easily be supplemented with architectural elements, such as an arch, a balcony, a rounded corner zone.

Ready project 5. Ground floor plan:

1 - entrance hall
2 - corridor
3 - office,
4 - living room
5 - kitchen
6 - bathroom.

The plan of the second floor:

1 - corridor
2 - children’s
3 - bedroom
4 - children’s
5 - bathroom.

Today, the layout of the house 6x8 m is especially popular., which is not surprising, because such a structure will not make you spend heavily on its operation, while it will create absolutely positive living conditions.

A great idea would be to build a two-story house with a terrace, thanks to which you can spend the summer evenings cozy, comfortable and romantic. Moreover, the veranda is not only convenient, but also useful. Thanks to it, ventilation will be provided in the summer, which will not have to spend money on air conditioning.

It is worth noting that the house depicted in the illustration has a gable roof view, which remains one of the most popular because of its availability, reliability and low cost of the structure.

In order to visually increase the space in a house with a gable roof, it is necessary to purchase oblong, long decor items - large tall mirrors, tapestries, floor lamps, paintings of light shades. Mirrors are best acquired floor, oval.

Beautiful examples

To create a loft-style bedroom from the attic is not only fashionable and beautiful, but also, no doubt, comfortable. In this style, metallic shades prevail, which allows him to create an urban atmosphere. Nothing extra. A minimum of things - a maximum of comfort.

Another great example of a country-style bedroom. By itself, a comfortable and bright style has privacy. Agree, in such a place it is pleasant to spend time with yourself over a mug of hot cocoa.

And here you can get together with friends on a frosty winter evening. Or hold business negotiations with colleagues. An environment conducive to making the right decisions. The style of the chalet is authentic and sustained, it can be attributed to the category of warm and comfortable. No wonder France is his homeland.

Nice living room for cozy gatherings with the whole family. An atmosphere conducive to giving happiness.

The space under the roof can be cleverly turned into a bright children's room. Such a room will definitely give the child the opportunity to develop creatively. In addition to the ideological and inspirational beginning, practicality will also serve as a low ceiling for children will not be a problem.

This housing can even turn into a kitchen or bathroom. In two-story houses, it is very convenient to conduct communication directly to the attic floor.

Amazing But the attic can even be a gym. In a healthy perception - a healthy mind. Enjoy not only creative saturation, but also physical health. Literally, the whole world is at your feet.

Returning to the history of the appearance of such an architectural phenomenon as the attic, it is worth noting that in Russia such structures have gained predominant popularity relatively recently.

Of course, attics appeared for the first time in St. Petersburg in the 18th century, but at that time they looked more like dark birdhouses than cozy, full-fledged rooms. But the attic gained real popularity in our country in the first half of the 1990s in connection with the advent of new materials and technologies.

Summing up, it is fair to say that the attic is a magical and mysterious phenomenon in the world of architecture. Thanks to materials and technologies, everything that a person wants to can be made of it. From the kitchen to the creative workshop.

Design project of a two-story house with an attic, see the next video

Facade Design Tips

There are several interesting and common options for the design of the facade:

Facade made of glass - Ideal for country houses with beautiful landscapes. A transparent facade solves the problem of low light conditions.

Completion of a terrace or balcony - these designs always look advantageous, especially if you add them with flowers in pots. In the warm season they can be used for relaxation. The most basic thing in such a project is maintaining proportionality.

Combination of finishing materials - Combinations of different materials solve design problems. It is necessary to take into account the fact that massive and dark materials are suitable for the lower floors, and lighter and lighter materials for the upper.

The most common material combinations are:

decorative stone and plaster,
stone (brick) and wood panels,
brick and natural wood,
natural stone and logs.

For cladding the facade with wood, most likely, you will have to use special equipment. Joints of the roof and walls require high-quality sealing.

For the attic, you can choose windows of a non-standard shape, so that they stand out better and are combined with the overall design. Plants and flowers are often used for decoration. Of the common climbing plants, ivy is especially popular, but it should be borne in mind that it is demanding in care.

With flowers it’s a little easier - for them you can choose containers or pots that are combined with the design. It is also necessary to take into account the illumination of areas of the house, because some flowers need a lot of sunlight, while others need less.

Advantages and disadvantages of attic construction above the second floor

Among the advantages of using the attic should be highlighted:

The increase in the useful living space of the house.
Economic benefit. Build a residential attic is much cheaper than a full floor.
The thermal insulation of the first two floors is improving.
Presentable appearance.
Combination with any style.

The high price of skylights and their installation.
A careful selection of building materials is needed.
It is necessary to comply with all technologies, only professionals can cope with this.

Advantages and disadvantages of attic houses

The attic floor has both a number of advantages and a small list of disadvantages. The pluses include the following aspects:

If the arrangement of the attic was not originally included in the plans during the construction of the house, then due to it the living space can be increased even without leaving the boundaries of the cottage or cottage. The construction will go on its own, and the rest of the rooms can still be operated, that is, the construction is carried out independently. This practice is quite common when the family grows, and housing becomes too crowded over time. This, perhaps, is the main advantage of the additional mezzanine.
Properly equipped attic will help reduce heat loss of the building. This will lead to lower loads on the heating system and more economical energy consumption.
The original architectonics of the ceiling is ideally suited to unusual modern directions, where the configuration is the basis of the composition.
The best insolation. Since the attic is a priori higher than any other room in the house, it receives more light. If the windows are built into the roof, then the sun's rays enter the room directly even at noon.
The attic opens up great opportunities for planning rooms. Initially, the floor does not have internal walls, so the decision on the placement of rooms, their sizes (width and length) is made only by the owners of the house. The layout does not require demolition of partitions or significant changes. You can create zoning literally from a "clean slate".
Good ventilation. The height at which the attic is located promotes rapid air exchange.

The disadvantages include the following factors:

Need for conditioning in hot summers. The roof heats up very quickly and gives off heat to the attic, located closer to the rest of the rooms. Unfortunately, in hot weather, in the absence of air conditioning, there will be a real “steam room”, as in a bathhouse.
Some psychologists believe that without a traditional “even” ceiling over their heads, many people may experience discomfort. The complex architecture of a sloping roof looks very unusual and beautiful, however, excessive piling up of parts can indeed cause irritation over time. The configuration is easily corrected with a special finish, decor, color scheme.
The high cost of special skylights, which will have to be bought for spacious rooms, where some openings on the gables will not be enough.
With errors in construction, decoration, thermal insulation, you can get a "cold" attic, which even the most powerful heating boiler will not save in the winter.
Accumulation of snow in the winter season on the windows of skylights, which will create an obstacle for light to enter the room.
No type of sound insulation can completely exclude rain “rustles” - the sounds of the droplets colliding with the roof. Moreover, it does not matter what type of coating is selected (soft or hard). Although psychologists believe that the noise of water has a healing, calming effect, sometimes it can be very annoying.

By the way, another advantage can be considered simplicity when placing a fireplace or stove. Stove heating can also be considered as an option. This will save on the consumption of other resources (gas, electricity) and create comfortable conditions in the attic in the winter with the help of "live fire" from coal or firewood.

Attic floor device

To correctly plan, you must consider a number of the following factors:

Living space. Its dimensions directly depend on the type of roof. Some species create too many zones that cannot be used appropriately. The most economical option is the hip roof. Its rafter system, in contrast to the gable, allows you to use every meter of the attic without "blind" zones.
Budget. If it is very modest, then you have to be content with a shed roof, since it belongs to the cheapest options.
Snow and wind load. Precipitation should freely slide off the roof, and not accumulate on it. In this case, bias matters. If it is calculated incorrectly, then precipitation will create an additional load on the roof, which it may not be able to withstand.
Choosing the right material for the rafter system. Many mistakenly believe that wood falls under the taboo. In fact, SNiP allows the use of wood if it has been pre-processed properly. Here, the condition regarding the maximum building height is also observed - no more than 75 m, that is, increased number of storeys. Of course, for private households such figures are considered sky-high. On average, even for every three-story house, there are more than twenty ordinary one-story buildings.
The condition of the foundation and facade. It takes into account not only the material from which the house was built, but also the terms of its operation, additional loads, general appearance (the presence of cracks or other damage). Based on this, choose a certain rafter system and material for the roof.
Loads on the walls of the house and the foundation. Some types of roofs (single-pitched) distribute loads unevenly, that is, one side of the building may need to be further strengthened. Without knowledge in this area, it is easy to make a mistake that threatens to turn into a collapse.

All these nuances are necessarily taken into account when designing the attic. Extra floors with bay windows or terraces look luxurious. In the second case, the home has access to the open air overlooking the courtyard, reliably protected by a canopy. Such verandas are sometimes glazed. Bay windows often follow similar protrusions on the lower floors in shape.

Trusses

The truss truss is the core system on which the roof rests. In fact, this is the “backbone”, the skeleton of the attic, on which the layers of roofing, thermal insulation, communication lines, and interior decoration are “put on”. The rafter farm consists of a number of components, the competent combination of which allows you to evenly distribute the loads on the bearing walls of the house:

Mauerlat.It is a log or bar, which is laid on a supporting wall. In fact, this is the "foundation" of the truss truss.
Skate and side runs. These are beams that are located horizontally. The first is placed directly under the ridge, and the rest is slightly lower, perpendicular to the rafter “legs”.
Braces, struts, diagonal connections - a system of communicative elements.
Raised and hanging rafters.

Since the loads on the attic roof are quite large, the rafter truss should have a margin of safety. It provides a high-quality connection between the individual components of the system. Most often, bolts, screws, welding or the groove-comb type are used for these purposes. The frame scheme of the truss truss is selected depending on the type of roof, which will cover the attic floor. Also take into account the distance between the outer load-bearing walls. If it does not exceed the value of 6.5 m, then choose layered rafters. In other cases, resort to hanging supports. They are mounted on a tightening and on a Mauerlat. If necessary, the design is reinforced with additional connecting links.

Roof construction

The shape of the attic directly depends on the type of roof. The additional floors themselves can be rectangular, broken, triangular, asymmetric. Attic can be located above the whole house or only above its part. Roofs, depending on the form, are classified into the following types:

Slippery.
Gable.
Three-slope.
Dome (conical, pyramidal).
Four-pitched.

Attic roofs and domes are very rare due to the complex architecture. The former were popular back in tsarist Russia, when the refined home decoration was an indicator of the wealth of the family. Domes are a very complex structure with a no less “intricate” truss truss. Under round roofs made of transparent materials, greenhouses in rich mansions used to be hidden. Judging by the sophistication of architecture, such a roof is a grandiose structure, impressive and eye-catching. From a material point of view, such construction will be very expensive, and therefore not always justified. Four-slope are classified into four subspecies:

Hip.
Tent.
Half-hip
Hip-gable.

The tented horse is completely absent. The attics under the roofs of the three remaining species have broken architectonics, which are not so pronounced as in the gable roofs. For this reason, this nuance can be attributed to advantages, not disadvantages.

Single slope

The design of a shed roof is considered the simplest. The roof is fixed on the bearing walls at an angle. Such a roof architecture is concise and even borders on primitivism. For single-slope options, the angle of inclination is of great importance. If it is calculated incorrectly, then precipitation will accumulate, and the load on the roof will increase. Attic under the pitched roofs do not equip so often. The room will have an asymmetric shape due to the different heights of the opposite walls. But windows that look in the same row very neatly and consistently are easily integrated into the shed roof.

Gable

Gable or gable roofs are quite simple to install and are considered a classic option for arranging attic floors. As the name implies, such structures have two slopes that intersect at the top and abut the ridge. Both planes "look" in different directions. Gable roofs are classified into three subspecies:

Symmetric. The ramps diverge at the same angles and are mirror images of each other. The pediment has a simple configuration of an isosceles triangle, and the ridge is located in the center of the structure.
Asymmetrical. The ridge of such roofs is offset relative to the conditional center of the house. Slopes are of equal length. Sometimes they are also called: roofs "with a displaced ridge."
With broken ramps. This type of roof was specifically designed for attics and attics. Broken slopes allow you to increase the area of the roof space.

The most popular version of a gable roof is “convex” with broken ramps. The ridge is located strictly in the center, and the pediment has the shape of an irregular but symmetrical pentagon.

Roof choice

The assortment of roofing materials is truly amazing. If earlier they used to do with traditional slate laid on roofing material, now at the average person eyes run up at the sight of a wide choice. Depending on the stiffness, the materials are classified into two types:

Soft (shingles).
Hard (slate, metal).

When choosing the material also pay attention to the configuration of the roof. For complex, broken structures, not every type of roof will fit. The most durable and beautiful option will be natural tiles, which are made of clay by firing. The material will be very expensive, but the service life - more than 150 years - fully pays for the cost. The second place in popularity is shared by asbestos-cement slate and metal tile. The first is a mixture of a cement base with asbestos reinforcing fibers. Although many competitors have emerged in recent years, it still holds a leading market position. Slate may be flat or wavy. Its classic color is gray, but some manufacturers paint the material in bright colors. The average life of a slate is 30 years. Metal - an imitation of the same name ceramic material made of galvanized steel, which is coated with a protective polymer film on both sides. The texture and colors of the material imitate the original in detail. The average life of a metal tile is 15 years. It is fireproof, easy to install, durable and inexpensive. Ondulin, corrugated board (corrugated steel sheets) and piece composite, shale, bitumen, cement-sand tiles are slightly less popular. For roofs of complex configuration, it is better to use soft roofing material.

Windows and methods of opening them

On the attic floors, they use both ordinary vertical windows (built into the gables) and special inclined windows. They are located on the roof. Windows are called “dormers”. In the literal sense of the word, they look “at the sky” and give an indescribable feeling in the rain or on starry nights when you can fall asleep while admiring the magnificent landscape. Distinguish them by type of opening. The usual swivel or tilt-and-turn mechanism in skylights does not occur. The exception will be only "hatches" in the roof. Due to the specifics of the arrangement (at an angle), such double-glazed windows are often equipped only with folding or sliding systems. Panoramic windows located on the gables look luxuriously in the attics. There are also miniature "balconies" equipped with a folding mechanism. They open access to a small porch with a fence, a kind of mini-terrace.

One-storey houses with an attic

The problem of space shortages often worries owners of one-story houses. If the land is small and does not allow to increase the living space in width, you will have to look up. A full second floor is not cheap. Will have to significantly strengthen the structure and radically rebuild it. The attic can be equipped in an existing attic, having carried out repair, insulation and finishing work. As for the cost, reorganizing the finished space is much cheaper than building a new one.

Two-storey houses with an attic

In two-story houses, the attic will become an additional load on the structure. When arranging it, it is better to use non-massive furniture with low weight. If necessary, it is easy to rearrange it or replace it with another. As an option, you can consider wicker chairs and chairs, plastic tables, dressing rooms instead of full cabinets or even garden furniture. It is recommended to divide the entire floor into rooms or zones using lightweight drywall partitions.

Room Options

On the attic floor, you can equip absolutely any premises: bedrooms, living rooms, children’s and games rooms. If water is supplied here, then a bathroom or kitchen is allowed. In small attics, it is logical to arrange only one spacious room and carry out its zoning. If the floor is narrow, then two doorways are made from the staircase-entrance to different rooms, which abut against opposite gables. Most often, attics are decorated under the bedrooms. Space shortages are usually caused by an increase in family. Attic is a great option for arranging separate full-fledged children's rooms. This will allow the child to give personal space and at the same time not to sacrifice existing functional rooms.

Popular stylistic trends

In the design of the attic floors adhere to the principles of conciseness and lightness. The interior should be simple and unobtrusive. The stylistic trend necessarily emphasizes the extraordinary architectonics of the ceiling, which is so often found on the attic floors and turns asymmetry into a virtue, not a disadvantage. Since it is undesirable to use massive furniture and an abundance of decor, the classics in all its manifestations should be excluded. Most often, designers practice using the following styles:

Chalet. Alpine direction is based on the use of wood. The array can be replaced with thin veneer sheets in the finish. They will be in harmony with the beam from which the house is built. The unusual architecture of the ceiling is complemented by decorative beams and logs. Furniture uses a minimum: wicker chairs, chairs, a bed with a wooden frame. From the decor, soft skins for the floor, deer horns on the walls and stylish lamps in a metal frame, hanging on chains from ceiling beams, are chosen.
Minimalism. This style easily adapts to both small spaces and spacious rooms. All furniture is compact. This direction fills the harmony of space, light and color. This option is ideal for economical repairs. In the color scheme, white and gray prevail. The decor is almost never used. Only a low coffee table, a group of chairs, a compact corner wardrobe, a wardrobe and a bed are left out of furniture.
Laconic Russian ethnic style. The colorful direction, which is associated with towers in dense Siberian forests. The interior decoration is not striking in luxury: simple furniture is used, made by a handicraft method with rough, poorly processed surfaces. Accessible wood prevails in the interior - a material typical of Russian villages. All shades of brown are used in the color palette: from dark chocolate to yellow. The room is decorated with homespun walkways, embroidered with curtains, groups of hand-painted dishes on stands. If there is a fireplace on the attic floor, then it is stylized as an old Russian stove and bleached.
Provence. This is one of the subspecies of the rustic style. Wooden surfaces also prevail in the room. Furniture is chosen from the old "grandmother" sets, which are repainted to give a more respectable look. The best decor will be fresh flowers in pots and porcelain vases. You can revive the room with a small sculpture, massive candelabra, flirty curtains and groups of soft pillows on a sofa or bed. White and pastel colors prevail in the color palette.

Also, when installing the attic, they use a light Japanese style, laconic Scandinavian and high-tech high-tech. If the building is built of brick, then a loft is suitable for such walls. They do not even have to be trimmed further. Bare brickwork will become part of the interior.

Conclusion

Attic - the lot is not only private homes. High-rise buildings often sell apartments located directly under the roof. They usually have nothing to do with small-sized housing, striking with large spaces. Studios and workshops are equipped in these apartments. However, the real cosiness of a comfortable attic in a private house can not be compared with anything. Attic is a great option for large families on a budget.