Hi,
We were almost finished with our planning, but now, thanks to a fortunate development, we can build higher than previously expected.
For our attic space, the question is whether to choose a knee wall with an interior clear height of 60 cm (24 inches) featuring large dormers (covering half the facade) and a roof pitch of about 35°, as originally planned, or to raise the knee wall to 160 cm (63 inches) with a roof angle of 24° without dormers.
Since the eaves line must remain continuous, dormers cannot be implemented with the higher knee wall.
Due to area limitations for living and ancillary space, we have to construct the attic rooms accordingly.
Our builder cannot install strip windows in the 160 cm knee wall option.
Because of the continuous eaves, in the dormer version the knee wall must be lowered to 60 cm (24 inches) to fit large windows with a sill height of 1 m (39 inches).
On the children's room side, there is a nice view to the southeast, which speaks in favor of the dormer option.
In the master bedroom, the higher knee wall would provide more headroom above the bed. We would not position the bed as shown in the attached floor plan, but against the walls by the hallway and the end wall.
Additionally, the attic storage spaces would be more accessible with standing height on the ridge side. If it becomes legally possible to convert these storage areas into rooms in the future, the higher knee wall would make them much more usable.
What do you think?
Note: In the attached section, the dormer version has a slightly lower ridge height (the latest status before the new information). We can raise up to a clear height of 3.40 m (11 ft 2 in) under the ridge. So, either knee wall 60 cm (24 inches) with roof pitch 35°, or knee wall 160 cm (63 inches) with roof pitch 24°.
We were almost finished with our planning, but now, thanks to a fortunate development, we can build higher than previously expected.
For our attic space, the question is whether to choose a knee wall with an interior clear height of 60 cm (24 inches) featuring large dormers (covering half the facade) and a roof pitch of about 35°, as originally planned, or to raise the knee wall to 160 cm (63 inches) with a roof angle of 24° without dormers.
Since the eaves line must remain continuous, dormers cannot be implemented with the higher knee wall.
Due to area limitations for living and ancillary space, we have to construct the attic rooms accordingly.
Our builder cannot install strip windows in the 160 cm knee wall option.
Because of the continuous eaves, in the dormer version the knee wall must be lowered to 60 cm (24 inches) to fit large windows with a sill height of 1 m (39 inches).
On the children's room side, there is a nice view to the southeast, which speaks in favor of the dormer option.
In the master bedroom, the higher knee wall would provide more headroom above the bed. We would not position the bed as shown in the attached floor plan, but against the walls by the hallway and the end wall.
Additionally, the attic storage spaces would be more accessible with standing height on the ridge side. If it becomes legally possible to convert these storage areas into rooms in the future, the higher knee wall would make them much more usable.
What do you think?
Note: In the attached section, the dormer version has a slightly lower ridge height (the latest status before the new information). We can raise up to a clear height of 3.40 m (11 ft 2 in) under the ridge. So, either knee wall 60 cm (24 inches) with roof pitch 35°, or knee wall 160 cm (63 inches) with roof pitch 24°.
H
hanghaus202313 May 2023 11:38If you want to switch to a higher knee wall, the entire house needs to be redesigned. This is because the rooms will then be located on the gable side. But won’t the staircase then cause significant disruption?
H
hanghaus202313 May 2023 11:44I have marked the 2 m (6 ft 7 in) lines for both the high knee wall and the low knee wall.
H
hanghaus202313 May 2023 11:57What is the ceiling height on the ground floor? Being 3 steps below the ceiling is borderline. The bedroom width of 2.80m (9 ft 2 in) is also tight. With plaster added, it would only be about 2.77m (9 ft 1 in).
I would prefer a higher knee wall. That way, these tight areas can be eliminated. In my opinion, at least the attic floor should be completely redesigned.
I would prefer a higher knee wall. That way, these tight areas can be eliminated. In my opinion, at least the attic floor should be completely redesigned.
I don’t really understand why the areas labeled as "estrich" are separately walled off. If they are under the roof and don’t have full standing height, they aren’t counted as part of the floor space anyway. So, even if the walls aren’t there, we are still in the non-full-floor area. Including this space actually makes the rooms nicer. And what’s the point of the expensive roof windows? They are positioned exactly where there are already windows in the gables.
H
hanghaus202313 May 2023 12:36@8aElProfe What exactly is the lucky break? Has the zoning plan or building permit / planning permission changed?
H
hanghaus202313 May 2023 12:48@ypg Perhaps the basic regulations are different in CH. 😉
Similar topics