To get an attic conversion

bri007

Hi all,

I am considering getting our attic converted for extra space and possible extra bedroom.

I know there’s a lot of press about fire regulations etc in relation to attic conversions etc.

Just wondering has anyone got one done recently and are happy with going ahead with it in the end?

Just looking for info on how it turned out and would they go through it all again?

If anyone could pm me a recommendation also for people they used to get their one carried out that would be great.

Thanks.

Yellow_Fern

Are gables above ceiling level insulated? If not how do people manage with attic conversation?

sydthebeat

Yellow_Fern wrote: »

Are gables above ceiling level insulated? If not how do people manage with attic conversation?

generally not.

they can be easily pumped, or insulated internally.

Yellow_Fern

sydthebeat wrote: »

generally not.

they can be easily pumped, or insulated internally.

Right, but pumping is hit and miss. Arguably its an abuse of a cavity wall system. But drylining makes sense, though youd lose the thermal mass.

sydthebeat

Yellow_Fern wrote: »

Right, but pumping is hit and miss. Arguably its an abuse of a cavity wall system. But drylining makes sense, though youd lose the thermal mass.

pumping isnt hit and miss, especially on a gable where there are no obstructions.

you can easily calculate the volume of the cavity to be pumped, and check against the volume of beads installed.

https://www.nsai.ie/download/certification/D-IAB-003-CWI-Installer-Scheme.pdf

Drylining has its negatives also, when considering interstitial condensation, and thermal bridging

D13exile

bri007 wrote: »

Hi all,

I am considering getting our attic converted for extra space and possible extra bedroom.

I know there’s a lot of press about fire regulations etc in relation to attic conversions etc.

Just wondering has anyone got one done recently and are happy with going ahead with it in the end?

Just looking for info on how it turned out and would they go through it all again?

If anyone could pm me a recommendation also for people they used to get their one carried out that would be great.

Thanks.

I recently completed my own attic conversion. My two boys now have a huge room (5 metres x 4 metres) where once they shared a small 6ft x 8ft boxroom. I did the work myself over the course of 9 months (single father working full time and so it took me that long as my "free time" is limited). The structural work (steel beams etc and proper staircase up to the attic) had been done by the previous owner but that's as far as he went. I had to:
- insulate it (extratherm rigid insulation between the rafters, knee walls and gable wall),
- build a stud partition wall and doorframe to close off the new room from the staircase
- wire it for sockets and lights,
- put up insulated plasterboard,
- plastered it,
- painted it,
- floored it

I'd gotten three quotes beforehand ranging from €14,000 to €19,000 for the work. As I didn't have that kind of money, I tackled it myself. I paid a total cost for materials of €3,500 and so there was a considerable saving.

New fire doors have also been installed throughout the house with smoke alarms on ground, 1st floor and attic landings. I've also got fire extinguishers on each floor. The kids have been well drilled in what to do in the event of a fire. Overkill perhaps but better safe than sorry.

The "cons" are that head height in the attic is limited with just 2 metres at the apex going down to 1.2 metres at the knee walls. Ok for 14 and 10 year old boys but it'll get tight as they grow. You must keep fire safety in mind as a staircase is a chimney in a fire and you must plan on what to do if egress down the stairs is cut off. Firedoors will hold fire at bay for 30 to 60 minutes depending on their rating but smoke is the real killer. As that will rise straight up, plan on what to do to prolong survivability. I've a small velux window on the attic landing that can be opened to vent smoke. Plus the velux in the bedroom is large enough for me, let alone the boys to escape out of.

I've a 3 bed semi and five kids who were stuffed into two bedrooms, one of which was tiny. Now everyone has much more living space and so I would say a definite yes to it being a worthwhile project. As for doing it yourself, you'd need the structural work and staircase done for you at the very minimum. If getting a contractor in, check them out thoroughly and consider getting an Engineer to oversee their work as you are altering the structure of your roof which will have major implications for your house if not done correctly.

Yellow_Fern

sydthebeat wrote: »

pumping isnt hit and miss, especially on a gable where there are no obstructions.

you can easily calculate the volume of the cavity to be pumped, and check against the volume of beads installed.

https://www.nsai.ie/download/certification/D-IAB-003-CWI-Installer-Scheme.pdf

Drylining has its negatives also, when considering interstitial condensation, and thermal bridging

Beads are pretty good but until a while back people pumped in fibre which was prone to gaps. Also the risk of moisture bridging.

sydthebeat

Yellow_Fern wrote: »

Beads are pretty good but until a while back people pumped in fibre which was prone to gaps. Also the risk of moisture bridging.

Thankfully we're not in the eighties anymore, and installers have certification conditions to adhere to now

Gumbo

Yellow_Fern wrote: »

Beads are pretty good but until a while back people pumped in fibre which was prone to gaps. Also the risk of moisture bridging.

Pumping in fibre hasn’t been done since I entered this business in 2002
I don’t know how long before that it stopped.

BryanF

Yellow_Fern wrote: »

Beads are pretty good but until a while back people pumped in fibre which was prone to gaps. Also the risk of moisture bridging.

Really? Can you show us an example of that in Ireland?

Yellow_Fern

kceire wrote: »

Pumping in fibre hasn’t been done since I entered this business in 2002
I don’t know how long before that it stopped.

have seen it houses renovated in 02-05 era. Not sure when it stopped.
But as pointed out drylining has lots of problems too, as does external. All retrofit wall insulation systems have risks.

Yellow_Fern

BryanF wrote: »

Really? Can you show us an example of that in Ireland?

Moisture bridging? Given how how rogue practices are carried out on retrofits I imagine common in wet areas on certain brick homes.

BryanF

Yellow_Fern wrote: »

people pumped in fibre which was prone to gaps..

Really? people pumped in fibrous material like mineral wool?

Yellow_Fern

BryanF wrote: »

Really? people pumped in fibrous material like mineral wool?

Yeah. Wanted to use beads to reduce the cold gaps but the cavity insulation specialist wont go near it unless the fibre is removed.

here is an Irish person talking about pumped in wool in 2007 https://passivehouseplus.ie/forum/showthread.php?37-Cavity-insulation-Bonded-Bead-or-Rockwool

BryanF

Yeah that poster used to be around here too. That’s not an Irish install.

Yellow_Fern

BryanF wrote: »

Yeah that poster used to be around here too. That’s not an Irish install.

Fair enough. I can happily PM you the name of a major regional cavity pumping company who can tell you all you need to know about pumped fibre in Ireland.

Yellow_Fern

http://www.engineersjournal.ie/2016/04/05/remedial-works-to-external-cavity-walls-letterkenny/