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Let there be light! (Attic to Game Room Conversion Status)
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09-02-2011 5:15pm#1Ok I'll throw a few snaps up the general progress of this long standing project. I'm almost there, a bit more woodwork to do, get some carpet & a few shelves etc.
Back near when it all began. The white sheeting is a breathable membrane, so the rafters don't rot. This is rolled into place, preferably in one long piece so there's no gaps. Once it's in place & tacked down, the insulation can be rolled in (which is a filthy, messy & highly irritating process due to the itchy effect).
Velux windo installed (not by me, professional install)
Both sides now fully membraned & insulated from top to bottom
Closer look, you have to pck that stuff in tight. But the difference is amazing.
This is where you start to see things coming together, the wonders of plasterboard. My original plan was to plasterboard the whole place, and use plaster/filler to get an even surface. That changed later on however.
Plasterboard all the way, there's now three layers of protection at this point (membrane, insulation, & plasterboard).
I'm missing a few pics due to a memory card failure :mad: But the whole attic is done in this manner, from top to bottom. The next problem was the water tank. Moving it was out of the question, so I chose to build a small structure around it, while leaving access to it through a door (for maintainence & storage.
It's worth noting I had the floor in place a few years before this, so it was one headache I didn't have to contend with. I also redid the wiring in the attic, allowing for more liveable lighting choices (3 different light circuits available, depending on the need).
Also, you can't see it here (it's one of the lost pictures) but you see where the vertical wall I put in place meets the floor? Well the that's split into three sections that you can't see in the pic. The middle part is hinged, & folds out allowing for access/storage behind the new wall. Ideal for suitcases etc, as it's not high enough in that area to be able to stand etc.
That comparison shot. This is as far as I'm currently at. I dropped the plaster/filler idea when I seen Ciderman's attic. This tongue & groove wooden paneling is so much better, and the finish is very very impressive. You simply cut to lenght, apply bonding adhesive to the back of it, clip it into the previous one and tap it home. I use small nails every few boards, just for a bit of added strenght.
The water tank is now nicely hidden away, and the door I made is closed in this pic (which it will be 99% of the time anyway). I'll put the wood on this section last & that should finish it.
So far so good.
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Master of the UniverseJoin Date:Posts: 34770
The lighting and the wood look brilliant together. Nice work
can't wait to see that when it's finished with consoles and all set up.
Still amazed you managed to get that TV up there without the use of a crane.0 -
:eek: :eek:
That's mighty impressive looking dude! Awesome. Looks like a proper job of it, no half assed measures. The panelling and lighting looks lovely. Nice one on the water tank room too. Now I know where to go if I need my attic done! :pac:
He he he, oh you
Ah it was trying at best man, believe me. I'm on the home straight now, the insulation was hell on earth at times. Especially when doing near the bottom of the apex, you have to lie down on your back & work overhead. All the while with gloves on to protect your hands, goggles on to stop all kinds of cr@p falling into your eyes (which fog up after 10 seconds :mad:), your mouth full of tacs because you need both hands to roll & hold the insulation in, & a hammer balancing on your chest :pac:
It needs to be done though, if you've any intention of playing a game without a duffle jacket on
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The lighting and the wood look brilliant together. Nice work can't wait to see that when it's finished with consoles and all set up.
Still amazed you managed to get that TV up there without the use of a crane.
Actually my plan is to mount maybe a 26" widescreen lcd on the chimney breast wall behind the Sony. I'll mount it up high, & on a bracket that angles the tv down towards the ground. I'm wondering if the Sony will fit under it, if not then it's too big I'll address that at a leter time though 0 -
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Retr0gamer wrote: »Is the kitten soft there to clean up after any nerdgasms that visitors might have? Looking really good, nice little den to retreat into
Not really, two bedroom houses tend not to have a lot of storage facilities :pac:0 -
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That is brilliant !! I know what you mean by the insulation, I've done all that in my attic, and i didn't go through the plasterboard yet.
The itchiness gets everywhere and i mean everywhere. Well worth spending a few bob on getting a sealed suit !!
Id say your house downstairs is even warmer because if it all,
I will have to move some struts because it is shaped like this :
But again great job, looking forward to the updates, the more the merrier.0 -
That is brilliant !! I know what you mean by the insulation, I've done all that in my attic, and i didn't go through the plasterboard yet.
The itchiness gets everywhere and i mean everywhere. Well worth spending a few bob on getting a sealed suit !!
Id say your house downstairs is even warmer because if it all,
I will have to move some struts because it is shaped like this :
But again great job, looking forward to the updates, the more the merrier.
Yay, another soul that bears the burden of that dreaded stuff
It remains in all clothes throughout many many wash cycles too, so use old clothes & bin them when done. I found this out the hard way one day when I threw on a jumper I had on while doing the insulation, only to be tortured for four hours with my arms being eaten alive as the stuff survived in the sleeves somehow.
I only had to remove two beams (in the first pic you'll see the one that has the goggles hanging on it, & then the one behind it with the socket on it). I did consult a roofer though prior to this to make sure they wern't load-bearing struts. Once I got the all clear I cut those bad boys out. The difference was unreal. It was no longer like the Krypton Factor getting from one end to the next. It also meant the chimney breast wall was free for a tv bracket at whatever stage.
Actually the plasterboard is a fairly enjoyable stage. You get to cover large areas with minimal effort & it all comes together and takes shape with every piece you hang. As above, once that itchy stuff is done, the rest is enjoyable.0 -
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I have to say, it looks like you have kinda the headroom I have in my attic, looks great, nice to see the wood panelling idea has worked out for you too.
If I might suggest find some good spots for the surround speakers and the sub!
And plenty of custom storage for the consoles/games!
I've headroom in the middle only
Kinda of a sitting down/lying down place though I reckon 
I have good spots for 5.1 picked out, nice thinking though Custom storage may be a problem, I'll have to see how I set up the tv's etc why options are open to me.
Actually another idear I had was to leave a little hole in the panelling around the water tank, and fit a projector in there with the lens just sticking out. It lines up perfectly with the chimney breast wall. Argh, dunno, have to finish the damn thing first :pac:0 -
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Yay, another soul that bears the burden of that dreaded stuff It remains in all clothes throughout many many wash cycles too, so use old clothes & bin them when done. I found this out the hard way one day when I threw on a jumper I had on while doing the insulation, only to be tortured for four hours with my arms being eaten alive as the stuff survived in the sleeves somehow.
Indeed, any clothes that goes into attic gets burned, I did the exact same as you. Wash the jumper and then put it on a month down the line...AAAARRRRGGGGGHHHHH.
Might as well go for a 3D HD projector if you win the lotto0 -
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Thats a great idea! Id love to do that, you could stick a framed poster up on the wall to cover the hole when not in use! i have a huge attic but there are beams all over the place in it.
You'll prob find a lot of those beams were only contrsuction aids & can be safely removed. The big load bearing ones obviously have to stay, but it might be worth consulting with someone who can identify such things
The projector idea is growing on me, it will save the need for a 16:9 lcd indeed. All movies/tv & newer gen games can go through it, while the Sony is there for the older stuff.0 -
You'll prob find a lot of those beams were only contrsuction aids & can be safely removed. The big load bearing ones obviously have to stay, but it might be worth consulting with someone who can identify such things
Actually all the beams are doing something in the attic some are spreading the load of the floor as attic floor tend to be a lot less meaty then those of a standard house, also the crossmembers and other stuff is only necessary for times of heavy load on the roof such as snow and if anyone is removing and members then it's a safe bet to get larger mullions or a steel beam but then you get into the situation of how to spread a greater load across a smaller patch which can result in settling of walls etc.. So to summarise when making any adjustments to an attic a structural engineer is the only way to go do not consult a builder on this subject as they haven't a clue about the building regulations and load forces etc.0 -
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The members you speak of actually hold the roof on in high winds they spread the upward load on the roof structure.
Having seen some of the houses around your way I'd say you'll be ok as most seem to be done in a similar fashion. The floor may also need strenghtening as most floor members are inadequate for high loads and people walking etc. If you want I could have a quick look over it just to make sure the floor is exceptable
Yeah that would be great, cheers dude. By all accounts, the combined weight of the plasterboard (which weighs a ton) and the wood panelling (very light) should be enough to counter the missing struts though? (I have left two of them in place though also).
Also, you see the load bearers along the side? These run through the whole lenght of the attic & into the concrete walls (possible into next door too). The rafters are fixed to these also, which prevents them from moving up & down. But yep, if your volunteering a gander your more than welcome 0 -
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Yeah that would be great, cheers dude. By all accounts, the combined weight of the plasterboard (which weighs a ton) and the wood panelling (very light) should be enough to counter the missing struts though? (I have left two of them in place though also).
Also, you see the load bearers along the side? These run through the whole lenght of the attic & into the concrete walls (possible into next door too). The rafters are fixed to these also, which prevents them from moving up & down. But yep, if your volunteering a gander your more than welcome
I'll pop down the weekend and have a butchers for you no problem0 -
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Er, I'd say those struts are there for a reason! I have those in my attic and a carpenter told me you'd basically have to replace the whole roof to do a full conversion!I will have to move some struts because it is shaped like this :
My main problem is where would I put the 20 tons of crap that are in my attic right now?0 -
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Got a bit done today, namely the area immediately over the stair entrance. I had this area wired for a small, overhead lamp to illuminate the entrance space at night etc.
This morning
Before fitting the lamp, I kept going with the wood panelling all the way to the main support beam. Mark where the wiring needs to exit the wood, & cut out a small square appropriately.
A while later (still have to clean up the last wooden piece it's only resting in place there)
Let there be light indeed
The light switch is within reach of a person still standing on the stairs, and within reach of roughly where I'll be sitting up there. This means when turning off lights etc there'll be no accidental falling down the stairs etc.
The switches control:
1) The entrance area light, (small low wattage bulb, diffused light so no glare in your eyes going up the stairs)
2) The 4 main uplighters for daily use (again low wattage, pearl effect bulbs so no glare. I also used uplighters as opposed to sunken spots because in the sitting position there's now now light shining in your eyes).
3) Two final spot lights, one on each side of the chimney breast. (Decorative uplighters, possible amber coloured bulbs for soft easy on the eys light. These arn't in place yet, but the wiring is in place & ready to go).
Three different lighting circuits
The entrance light, as you can see there'll be no direct light shining in anyone's eyes going up the stairs.
Here's the storage hatches I was on about earlier in the thread. There's an identical one on the other side of the attic too, & as well as simply folding down, I can remove the door altogether very easily in needs be. My retro collection is on the opposite compartment at the mo, as a ten foot long three foot high giant lego kit (all interconnected & packed)
Not bad for a mornings work. Now, I better get onto some of these consoles to repair/mod to clear the backlogue.0 -
Gonna be sick! Dedicated games room (not being your bedroom) is pretty much most gamers ultimate goal.
Had an awesomely converted attic in the last house that i rented which was transformed into an entertainment room. Was stupidly cold in the winter but pretty much heaven in Summer.
what is/was your budget for the conversion if you don't mind me asking?
Look forward to seeing your complete setup. 0 -
Gonna be sick! Dedicated games room (not being your bedroom) is pretty much most gamers ultimate goal.
Had an awesomely converted attic in the last house that i rented which was transformed into an entertainment room. Was stupidly cold in the winter but pretty much heaven in Summer.
what is/was your budget for the conversion if you don't mind me asking?
Look forward to seeing your complete setup.
It won't come anywhere near Ciders conversion, I simply don't have the area he has. But it'll be the best the house can provide, and hey, I didn't have it before and do now so that has to be a bonus
From the membrane stage to now came in at well under €1200 quid I'd say. That's including the Window & Staire installations too. It really pays to try your hand at DIY, it's an amateur conversion, but I can't even imagine what a full conversion with bay window extension costs these days. Plus this way I got to make it exactly how I wanted it, no beard rubbing and sharp breath's here
I've been doing it over the space of a year probably too, so the money was spread out as I needed new materials, it wasn't one big bill. Thats another advantage of doing it yourself, you can pick n choose when to throw an hour or two into it etc (although that's a bad thing really motivation wise) 0 -
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Yesterday & today's minor progress updates.
This is the storage are where all my retro goodness lives for the time being. It's all packed behind the nice wooden panelling, & ready to be unleashed when the room is done. I've an access hatch/door to cover the entrance when not in use.
The camera won't show the scale properly, but from here its about 4 feet down to the wall, & it's about four feet deep but the apex closes off the height the further you go in.
Again, in the other direction, this way goes down about 12 feet, so plenty of storage for long term stuff like stuff you basically don't need to get at. My retro stuff goes down about 4 feet this way, & from there on out it's just stuff I never need to really get at. I'll fit a light in here at some stage incase I need to get travel down to the depths of storage.
They're like caged animals waiting to get out! I cannot wait to have somewhere to have stuff set up & ready for use.
Ok, without further ado, lets get on with it!
Now, we need a door. Here's one I made earlier (finally got to say that!! lol)
The plasterboarded side, have to woodify this side.
Fixed to it's mounting point with two strong hinges (heavy enough door, which is why I chose to let it open with gravity, as opposed to making stilts etc to hold it open).
Closed, & ready for wood.
Pencil line to allign the new piece to the pieces to the left & right of it.
Starting from the top down, measure to fit, cut & fit.
Keep going. It's not a perfect fit, after all I'm no carpenter. But I'll clean all the rough edges etc at the end. I'll also use the adhesive decorative strips to match the wood, which will cover slight mismatches etc.
Finito. The gap at the bottom has to be there, as the door pivots to open, I'll run carpet into it to neaten it up at the end anyway.
That's the whole roof, both sides too from top to bottom done. Just gotta do around the water tank as shown earlier & I'm done. From there it will be decorated, carpeted & made into a living space.
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