ᐅ Attic Conversion – Challenge or Feasible?

Hello everyone,

we are building a prefabricated single-family house (Effizienzhaus 40 standard) and are very excited.

As parents, we plan to eventually (in 4-5 years, when we have more financial flexibility) convert the attic (see photo) into a bedroom for us and partly as a storage room. For now, it will only be used as storage space.

The more I research, the more uncertain I become regarding the conversion.

The prefab company we are working with has installed a vapor retarder in the upper intermediate ceiling.

Do I need to consider more than the following points:

• Insulation
• Electrical wiring (will be done during the construction phase)
• Ventilation (there is a floor-to-ceiling window, is that sufficient?)
• Vapor retarder, if necessary?
• Flooring/screed
• Space-saving spiral staircase as access to the attic
• Possible partition wall (to separate sleeping and storage areas)

Which of these points do you think are easy to manage? Where could difficulties arise?

What is your opinion on the overall cost range to expect?

As you can see, I’m a bit overwhelmed at the moment.

Thank you very much!

Hausdaniel schrieb:

Do I need to consider more than the following points:

How about heating ==> connection to underfloor heating with a new hydraulic balancing
Roof windows, because otherwise you won’t really have natural daylight in the room(s), except for the small window in the gable
Building permit / planning permission for conversion into living space
Is creating an opening through the current ceiling for a spiral staircase easily possible? (Probably a wooden beam ceiling, right?) Dismantle the space-saving staircase.
Drywall construction to cover the sloping roof surfaces (if these are not going to be extended down to the floor, you will need to work on this area again)

That’s what comes to mind spontaneously.

And if I’m correct, the insulation is already installed in the ceiling by the builder. So you will have to invest again to add insulation between rafters and/or above rafters.

If you don’t have the money for the interior finishing now, will you have it in five years? I would doubt that, because after moving in, a lot often goes towards small repairs and landscaping, and that adds up. On top of that, you still have to pay your monthly mortgage to the bank.

Additionally, moving into a new house quickly creates a construction site again. Is that what you want?

Is your upper intermediate ceiling structurally designed for the finishing work?

As mentioned before, you will need roof windows. Retrofitting them later is difficult if there is photovoltaic (solar) equipment on the roof.

hanse987 schrieb:

If you don’t have the money for the finishing work now, will you have it in 5 years? I would doubt that, because after moving in, a lot still goes toward small fixes and landscaping, and that adds up. On top of that, you still have to pay the bank monthly.

In addition, you quickly create a construction site again in the new house. Is that what you want?

Is your upper intermediate ceiling structurally designed for the finishing work?

As mentioned before, roof windows will be needed. Retrofitting is difficult if there are photovoltaic panels on the roof.

It is structurally feasible. We are already installing a large floor-to-ceiling window right from the start.

We will have the money in 5 years.

The construction site will just be like that then.

Hausdaniel schrieb:

The more I research, the more uncertain I become regarding the extension.
…
Do I need to consider more than the following points:

I think it’s not only wise but necessary to make the construction company aware of any future extensions right from the start.
Without a conduit, it will be very difficult to add anything later on that needs to go upwards.

Hausdaniel schrieb:

Where could it become tricky?

Especially with a spiral staircase. Shouldn’t the stairs be positioned so that in the upper floor you can have a staircase above the stairwell of the lower floor?

Hausdaniel schrieb:

It is structurally feasible. We are already installing a large floor-to-ceiling window from the beginning.

Who needs a floor-to-ceiling window in a bedroom where you can’t even avoid the neighbor’s line of sight?!
But regardless of windows: a larger stairwell opening is necessary, fire protection and safety regulations must be followed.
Nowadays, we often deal with older houses with attic conversions, but with today’s knowledge of the risks, safety must not be compromised. A spiral staircase is certainly allowed, but it’s not very practical for rooms that you have to access daily.

Hausdaniel schrieb:

We are already installing a large floor-to-ceiling window right from the start.

I wouldn’t call the window large, more like a standard door. If you turned it into a wide window with the same area as your door, you would get more light into the room.

Hausdaniel schrieb:

We will have the money in 5 years.

Then make sure to sort out the building regulations (e.g. emergency escape route) in advance and carefully plan the preparations (heating, electrical wiring, network/TV cabling, stair access, etc.). If something is missing, it can become very complicated.