An attic with a balcony is becoming more and more popular. A beautiful, cozy addition to a custom floor expands the functionality of the home. Here you can arrange a greenhouse, a summer cafe or a place for contemplative relaxation. From the article you will learn about the main features of the attic balcony structure, its advantages and disadvantages. The subtopic about types of models will help you choose the appropriate option. You will also be revealed the secrets of successful project implementation for any choice of balcony and options for using the attic.
Attic with balcony Source mebel-vkysa.ru
Balcony as part of the attic: features
A balcony on the roof of a house is no longer a luxury, but a useful necessity. It makes living in the attic even more convenient. Knowing its features saves effort, time and money when installing it. So here they are:
- Including a balcony in the initial project is the best option for its construction. Adding a structure to a finished house is difficult. You can’t do this without the help of professionals who will calculate everything. Improper installation of a roof balcony can result in subsidence, skew or destruction of the roof.
- The side and front balconies are a continuation of the attic. They have the same load-bearing parts of the building, so part of the house remains unprotected. To protect yourself from the harmful effects of wind, precipitation and chemicals from the street, you need to seriously approach the issue of thermal and waterproofing of the room.
- The area of the “hanging porch” depends not only on the wishes of the owner, but also on the size of the attic and on which side of the house it will be located.
- If the balcony structure is attached to a finished building , then it should be light in weight . Experts recommend making it from plastic, steel or wood.
Balcony in a private house Source okna-mi.ru
Positive and negative sides
Projects with a mansard roof have a number of positive aspects that are captivating. Among them are:
- economic benefit of the project;
- large usable area;
- there is no need for additional communication planning;
- saving on heating;
- gradual finishing work;
- Possibility of living for several families.
From an economic point of view, a one-story house is being built, but it turns out to be a two-story house thanks to the attic. We can say that with a mansard roof the area increases almost double. In this case, the land plot involved remains the same. There is no need to draw up an additional project for supplying gas or other communications to the attic. This is one building, so you can connect them directly from the first floor, if legislation allows it. If the house design includes an attic with a bay window, then there is no need to finish them immediately after construction. The main thing is to prepare the first floor, the rest will be done gradually.
Don't dwell only on the positive. It's important to know if there are any downsides so you can weigh all sides wisely. One of them is to find a responsible designer and contractor. They must be well aware of all construction standards and permissible loads. This will avoid unpleasant consequences. The least of these will be the appearance of mold not only in the attic, but also on the first floor. In the worst case, this can lead to the destruction of the rafter system. If the project includes windows that will be built into the roof, then you should know that their cost will be several times higher than ordinary ones.
Attic with balcony: advantages and disadvantages
An attic with a balcony is always better than without it. Many people dream of owning a home with such a twist. A balcony in a private house under a roof is in demand for the following reasons:
- It provides an abundance of fresh air and sunlight . Instead of walls, the attic room has roof slopes, and this makes it difficult to install the desired number of windows.
- Thanks to the height, such a balcony provides an excellent view of the area . This is especially valuable if the house is located in a picturesque location.
- A spectacular addition to the attic adds solidity, charm and aesthetics .
- The “hanging porch” increases the area of the upper tier and makes the interior more comfortable.
By placing a table and chairs on the balcony, you will get an additional corner for relaxation. Source nashe-okna.ru
The disadvantages of a balcony in the attic are mainly related to the complexity of its construction:
- If you want to make an extension to your existing home, be prepared for large expenses and draw up a serious work plan. First you need to make a sketch, then a drawing project, then a trip to the authorities (BTI, Housing Inspectorate). With the papers in hand, you can begin implementing the project.
- Roof and gable balconies require good waterproofing and insulation of the floor.
See also: Catalog of projects of houses with an attic presented at the exhibition “Low-Rise Country”.
Project options
The choice of project depends on the purpose of the cottage with an attic, whether it will be a compact building for a country holiday or a full-fledged house for year-round use.
6x6 layout
A 6x6 m cottage project is usually chosen as a garden house, where a family can comfortably accommodate a family on a total area of 50 m2. Specialized companies can offer designs of houses with an attic and a veranda, photo below:
A compact cottage with a balcony looks presentable:
A significant advantage of small houses is savings on utility bills during the cold season. Recommendations for proper planning will ensure functional space:
- An organic hallway setting will successfully solve the problem of distributing things. Built-in wardrobes and mezzanines accommodate most of the wardrobe and rarely used household items.
- A project where the space under the stairs is used as a storage room is a godsend for small-sized housing with an attic. Conservation or household items will always be at hand without cluttering up the house.
- Combining a kitchen with a living room is another popular technique in projects of small cottages with an attic. It is also appropriate to place the stairs to the upper floor here.
- Combining a bathroom with a toilet and installing a shower helps save space.
- Arranging a terrace in front of the cottage with an attic partially compensates for the lack of free space inside.
Options for 8x10 cottages
For your reference, there are two options for medium-sized cottages, the attic of which includes a balcony.
The first project involves construction from expanded clay concrete or brick. The attic includes a bathroom and three rooms, the design of which the owners choose at their discretion. Living room, bedroom or children's room are popular solutions. Large windows provide ample natural light. Two balconies offer picturesque views from different angles. The cottage fully meets the requirements of a residential building.
The second project will appeal to adherents of eco style. The first level is dedicated to a spacious living room, kitchen and separated sanitary rooms. The layout of the rooms in the attic is somewhat different. A wide staircase that provides a comfortable climb is the right solution for permanent residence.
Cottage with attic 9x9
From a planning point of view, house designs with a 9x9 m attic are considered optimal for living. In the classic design, there is a kitchen, living room, bedroom and bathroom below. The upper level is designed taking into account the needs of the owners. Bedrooms, office, mini gym, winter garden or workshop - there are many options. The difference with 8x10 projects is only in the outline of the base, but the internal arrangement is very similar.
Which project to choose for building a house with an attic - a classic exterior or a rustic-style cottage - depends on the preferences of the future residents.
Types of models: what kind of attic balconies are there?
Today, a balcony in the attic can be built in three ways: in its roof part, from the gable side and in the form of a window (a modern hybrid). Depending on these methods, the following models of “hanging porches” are distinguished:
Pediment
They are located in the front part of the attic. Their width almost coincides with the width of the house, that is, it is impressive. In turn, these balconies are divided into:
- Those speaking forward . Their floor is a continuation of the slab behind the pediment line. Such options can only be obtained during the construction of the building. They also have one drawback - limited dimensions.
Protruding forward balcony Source roofs.club
- Going inward like a terrace.
The disadvantage of such a balcony is that it takes up the attic space. Source apklovers.ru
Roofing
A country roof with a balcony is easy to design. To create such a balcony, you need to make an opening in the roof of the desired width and height. The latter should provide free passage. Next, a door with a partition is installed to enter the balcony from the attic. The resulting triangular niches are filled with bricks, and the joints are sealed.
The balcony area is the area of the attic floor between the roof and the erected partition. Square meters can be added by laying and securely fixing a concrete slab extending beyond the boundaries of the roof. Naturally, it needs to be reinforced along the entire perimeter for the subsequent installation of a strong fence.
Attic with balcony Source lv.aviarydecor.com
Varieties
All mansard roofs can be classified into 4 categories, each with different designs. Moreover, such attics can be single-level or two-level. It is easier to build a one-level attic. As a rule, this design involves the construction of a conventional gable or sloping roof.
Two-level attics are more difficult to construct. This design involves the construction of 2 rooms at different levels. In this case, the method of combining supports is used.
In the photo of the attic roof you can clearly see the design options for such structures. Additionally, a balcony can be provided. It is constructed by analogy with a window opening.
But this possibility depends on the load-bearing capacity of the walls. If it is not enough, a balcony can be built using additional supports.
Important nuances of designing balconies on an attic roof
If you want to get a pediment loggia built into your house, consider a number of points:
- It should be erected together with the roof . At the same time, the roof area will be reduced by the number of square meters allocated for the balcony.
- For floors, use massive timber , the cross-section of which is 150 by 100 mm.
- The separating partition between the attic room and the terrace should be of medium thickness and not heavy.
- The roof covering is installed on hanging rafters.
- Regulations prohibit the use of an extension of the attic floor as the base of a protruding balcony.
Lovers of country houses often install balcony structures on the roof of the building. Here's what you need to know:
- The section of the roof above the planned terrace is not sheathed .
- Thick beams with a section of 150 by 100 mm are suitable for floor beams
- A frame-panel partition is installed in the formed opening . Then the shield walls are installed on the sides.
- The resulting extension is equipped with a roof .
The roof is sheathed with the material from which the roof of the house is made Source stroydekor.info
- The area of the terrace here will depend on the size of the attic. The slopes of the house are always large, so even a small house can have a long balcony on the roof.
A mansard roof with a balcony-window most often decorates a country house. To begin with, a rectangular hole is created in the attic slope. When drawing up a drawing, you should remember that the distance between the rafters should be equal to the width of the window. Hybrid designs are sold separately. 80 cm is their standard width. Folding models can have a size of 150 cm. In exceptional cases, if the distance between the rafters is less than 80 cm, the window is ordered individually.
So, when drawing up a drawing of an attic with a terrace, you must clearly know the location of the structure and its dimensions. Any type of balcony requires the use of durable materials: steel corner and timber with a thickness of 150 cm.
Main nuances
Designing an attic roof requires a more scrupulous approach than a conventional one with a cold attic. Particular attention must be paid to waterproofing. It must be laid in accordance with all requirements. Even the slightest leaks are not allowed. They can ruin not only the interior decoration, but also the insulation. The latter must be placed under the roof. Moreover, its layer must be sufficient to provide thermal insulation, which will be equal to that of the walls on the first floor. For this role in the attic, you can use various types of mineral wool, as well as polystyrene foam. You can watch a video about this below. This approach will avoid sudden temperature changes, which may not be noticeable on the ground floor, but will affect all equipment that will be located in the attic. If the attic was not included in the original project, then it is worth thinking very carefully about what furniture and finishing materials will be used on this floor. Under heavy loads, the walls may not be able to withstand.
Advice! The attic roof does not necessarily have to be used as a continuous room. It can be demarcated as desired using drywall and insulation.
