Tips for living in the upper room

Wood can play out many advantages in loft extensions and when adding storeys to the roof

When it gets tight in your own four walls – be it due to the addition of a family, because of hobbies or because you need a home office for professional independence – you don’t have to move straight away. The attic, which was previously only used as a storage room, can be converted into a modern loft, an oasis of calm or a creative and play area with a little manual skill and with the involvement of a suitable specialist. The natural building material wood in particular offers many advantages. Pay attention to the origin of the wood An increase in the roof offers homeowners even greater flexibility. After clarification of the building law requirements, planning can begin according to your own ideas, dreams and wishes. The statics of the building, the connection to existing installation equipment, thermal insulation, noise and fire protection regulations must be considered. The quality of living under the roof depends above all on the quality of the products used and the craftsmanship. When choosing building materials, builders should pay particular attention to wood from harmless sources. These can be recognized, for example, by the PEFC seal with the stylized deciduous and coniferous tree in the logo. It stands for products from sustainable forest management and guarantees a controlled wood processing process. An online buying guide at http://www.pefc.de/einkaufsratgeber reveals which specialist dealers offer PEFC-certified wood No long drying times Wood as a building material is ideally suited to adding storeys to the roof, especially because of its light weight and high load-bearing capacity. In addition, the construction process is not delayed when building with wood due to drying times: wall, floor and ceiling coverings can be applied directly without having to dry. Last but not least, wood is characterized by good thermal insulation and an ideal room climate. Public subsidies for roof increases – above all through KfW programs 151 and 152 or program 430 on the subject of “Energy-efficient renovation” – ensure that the state helps build the roof. In addition, 20 percent of the craftsman’s work is tax deductible in the annual wage tax adjustment. Varied wooden stairs to the top floor Stairs to the attic cannot easily be changed or changed later, so they should be chosen and planned carefully. There are also great design options here, especially with wooden stairs: The variants range from luxurious for representation to a purely functional design. Stairs made of PEFC-certified wood not only ensure warmth and comfort in the hallway area, but also a clear conscience.

Energy efficiency thanks to wood fiber insulation materials

One should not neglect the energy efficiency of the roof – after all, the upper room in old buildings can be responsible for up to a third of energy losses. Wood fiber insulation materials that are made from local softwood and come from PEFC-certified forests at leading manufacturers are particularly suitable for insulating the upper floor. Insulation boards, insulation wedges and insulation mats made of wood fibers can be used in many different ways in and around the house and have proven themselves as robust construction products in old and new buildings for decades. The functional life in a properly executed thermal insulation composite system should be at least 50 years. More information at: http://www.pefc.de.