ᐅ Attic Conversion with a Hip Roof as an Alternative to a Basement
Created on: 11 Apr 2022 10:54
D
dkw8074
Hello,
we are currently planning our dream home with about 190m² (2,045 sq ft), and the following situation is on our minds:
Naturally, also for reasons of overall cost, we are considering not building a basement (the plot is flat and 1,170m² (12,590 sq ft) in size). The planning team suggested using the attic space for storage as well as usable rooms (office, hobby room, fitness area). We like this idea more and more, also because the view is significantly better than in a basement;)
The hip roof would be designed with a 30° pitch plus a parapet wall, and a standard staircase would lead up to the attic. Recently, the idea even came up to locate the building services in the attic, which, according to feedback, has already been done before. However, I am still quite skeptical about this and otherwise, the technical room would have to be located in a side room next to the garage.
I am now looking forward to many assessments regarding the following questions:
• Has anyone fully finished an attic in a similar way (hip roof, size), and what are your experiences with this?
• What do you generally think of the idea (even without practical experience), do you consider this approach reasonable, and what should be taken into account?
• What are the arguments against placing the building services in the attic?
Here is a floor plan of the attic (only the attic, as this is the main focus at the moment):
Thank you very much!
we are currently planning our dream home with about 190m² (2,045 sq ft), and the following situation is on our minds:
Naturally, also for reasons of overall cost, we are considering not building a basement (the plot is flat and 1,170m² (12,590 sq ft) in size). The planning team suggested using the attic space for storage as well as usable rooms (office, hobby room, fitness area). We like this idea more and more, also because the view is significantly better than in a basement;)
The hip roof would be designed with a 30° pitch plus a parapet wall, and a standard staircase would lead up to the attic. Recently, the idea even came up to locate the building services in the attic, which, according to feedback, has already been done before. However, I am still quite skeptical about this and otherwise, the technical room would have to be located in a side room next to the garage.
I am now looking forward to many assessments regarding the following questions:
• Has anyone fully finished an attic in a similar way (hip roof, size), and what are your experiences with this?
• What do you generally think of the idea (even without practical experience), do you consider this approach reasonable, and what should be taken into account?
• What are the arguments against placing the building services in the attic?
Here is a floor plan of the attic (only the attic, as this is the main focus at the moment):
Thank you very much!
ypg schrieb:
Yes, a bargain price 😉 But if you put two side by side and install them in two attic sections, including installation, it definitely becomes a more complex project. Still, it really is stylish! I actually consider the roughly 10,000 (ten thousand) for a double solution a bargain compared to the basement you save! Two "standard" double casement windows would easily cost 2,000 to 3,000 (two to three thousand). Just a large skylight shaft with drainage, etc., quickly adds up to that difference. And you actually get a view that goes beyond just facing a gabion wall, which you'd almost bump into with an outstretched arm. 🙂
ypg schrieb:
Hmm, not exactly sure, but the connections probably need to be installed on the ground floor? Then you would need to know if the attic floor is made of wood, so between the upper floor and attic in terms of load-bearing capacity.
At least you can create a large storage room very nicely, @Nordlys and @Steffi33 have done a great job with that. Yes, I assume the connections will be on the ground floor. There is a concrete ceiling between the upper floor and attic, also because ceiling cooling is planned.
We would like to use the attic for an office, hobbies, and fitness, not just as storage.
Scout** schrieb:
I actually consider the roughly 10,000 for a double solution, compared to the saved basement cost, a real bargain! Two "standard" double casement windows alone already cost around 2,000 to 3,000. Just a large light well with drainage and so on quickly reaches that price difference. And you actually get a view that extends beyond a gabion wall, which you could almost touch with an outstretched arm. 🙂 These are exactly the considerations regarding both cost and view (we would indeed have a very nice distant view). When it comes to cost, you naturally have to consider that finishing the attic will cause additional expenses: insulation, stairs, generally a slightly higher roof structure, possibly air conditioning needed. But it should still be significantly cheaper than a finished basement.
What makes me uncertain is that there is almost no information available about attic conversions with a hip roof. Therefore, the question remains whether the idea is really that good...
Scout** schrieb:
Two "standard" double casement windows instead already cost easily 2 to 3 thousand. With my general contractor it’s still about 700 to 800€ (about 800 to 900 USD). Just one.
dkw8074 schrieb:
We would also like to use the attic as an office, hobby room, or fitness space—not just for storage. You can divide it accordingly.
Still, keep in mind the sloped ceilings: 30 degrees, and having that across the entire space can feel quite oppressive.
PS: Have the cost for finishing the attic (drywall) including cold storage room, heating pipes, windows, and flooring calculated.
Edit: Replies crossed each other.
dkw8074 schrieb:
What makes me uncertain is that there is almost no information available about attic conversions in hip roofs. So I wonder if the idea is really that good...Just look at the profile of the 2m (6.5 ft) line — on all four sides, the usable standing height ends quickly. The photo with the roof windows has less than a 30° pitch; calculate the length needed to reach 2m (6.5 ft) height for your roof.
If there is no basement anymore and all the living space should go upwards, a hip roof is not a good choice.
Visit a show home with a hip roof and check out the attic space.
Our dream house also had a hip roof, but after talking with the architect, it quickly became a gable roof with an open gable.
Nida35a schrieb:
Just look at the slope along the 2m (6.5 feet) line—the usable standing space quickly disappears on all four sides.
The photo with the roof windows doesn’t have a 30-degree angle; calculate the length for 2m (6.5 feet) height based on your situation.
If there’s no basement and everything has to go upwards, a hip roof is not ideal.
Check out the attic in a model home with a hip roof.
Our dream house also had a hip roof, but after the architect meeting, it quickly became a gable roof with an open gable. Thank you very much for the input! I’m getting about 30 degrees; what do you think it might be? Of course, that doesn’t mean there are 100m² (1,076 ft²) of standing space, but I’m estimating at least 30m² (323 ft²). Not everything has to go upwards anyway; there’s also a storage room behind the garage.
But I do understand the concerns—that’s something we’re considering as well…
Similar topics