ᐅ Expandable attic in a new build: what are the options for future development?
Created on: 9 Oct 2024 15:27
P
philipp013
Hello everyone,
We are building a semi-detached house with 2.5 floors and have now planned the layout so that everything fits on 2 floors. However, we still want to keep the expansion option in the attic (originally, the entire attic was planned to be finished).
We are building with a prefab house company, meaning timber frame construction. If we only finish the attic in 5+ years, we don't really want to commit to a future floor plan now; we want to keep all options open. We are building to KfW 40 standard with a heat pump, underfloor heating, and a central ventilation system.
To save as much as possible, I was thinking of leaving out the following:
What do you think? Does this make sense? Are we leaving out too much? The builder says we should definitely include the screed (which is the biggest cost with underfloor heating) because otherwise it will just be a mess later—but is that true? What about dry screed or liquid screed applied in the attic later? Does that cause problems with drying in an already occupied house? Is dry screed worse? Are there differences with underfloor heating if I have liquid screed downstairs and dry screed in the attic?
Since I lack expertise in this area, I would really appreciate your informed opinions: Is the builder just trying to make more money, or would it actually be better to have almost everything finished from the start?
Many thanks in advance for your answers!
We are building a semi-detached house with 2.5 floors and have now planned the layout so that everything fits on 2 floors. However, we still want to keep the expansion option in the attic (originally, the entire attic was planned to be finished).
We are building with a prefab house company, meaning timber frame construction. If we only finish the attic in 5+ years, we don't really want to commit to a future floor plan now; we want to keep all options open. We are building to KfW 40 standard with a heat pump, underfloor heating, and a central ventilation system.
- According to the builder, the ventilation and heat pump will be sized larger to cover the future living space as well. At the same time, the pipes for this will already be installed to the attic. Conduits for electrical wiring will also be laid.
- We would also have the staircase to the attic built now, including the wall and door between the stairwell and the attic.
- The attic is insulated as well.
To save as much as possible, I was thinking of leaving out the following:
- Knee walls
- Walls (to keep freedom in the room layout later)
- Roof windows (one standard window will remain)
- Pipes for underfloor heating
- Screed
- Possibly drywall or paneling in the attic
What do you think? Does this make sense? Are we leaving out too much? The builder says we should definitely include the screed (which is the biggest cost with underfloor heating) because otherwise it will just be a mess later—but is that true? What about dry screed or liquid screed applied in the attic later? Does that cause problems with drying in an already occupied house? Is dry screed worse? Are there differences with underfloor heating if I have liquid screed downstairs and dry screed in the attic?
Since I lack expertise in this area, I would really appreciate your informed opinions: Is the builder just trying to make more money, or would it actually be better to have almost everything finished from the start?
Many thanks in advance for your answers!
N
nordanney11 Oct 2024 15:16Grundaus schrieb:
Is dry screed actually suitable for underfloor heating?Of course it is. It’s not even unusual; you can find it offered everywhere (if you want).P
philipp01311 Oct 2024 16:4111ant schrieb:
Therefore, I am currently not spending time responding to this (in my opinion, follow-up) thread. As a future owner, I see it differently. That's exactly why this thread exists—to specifically address this question, which concerns us a lot because we need to answer it promptly.
philipp013 schrieb:
As a future owner, I see this differently. That’s why this thread exists—to specifically address this question, which concerns us greatly because we need to answer it soon. I only copied this comment here so that readers of this thread alone (i.e., those who don’t also read your main thread) won’t wonder why I seem unhelpful here. I am helping—just primarily in the main thread—and it is becoming clear there that the follow-up questions based solely on that will resolve themselves.
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