Ideas for OUR FRENCH ATTIC TRANSFORMATION? | Charente Living | Lifestyle in rural France

Come upstairs to our attic as we show the great potential of this space. Our French townhouse has a lovely spacious attic, which needs ideas and inspiration for the renovation project. We would love to hear your thoughts and ideas how to convert an empty and forgotten attic to a functional living space.
We are Robert and Jyrki - Irish and Finnish artists living in Helsinki, Finland. With no renovation experience, but lots of enthusiasm and passion we take on the big challenge of renovating a townhouse in rural France, and enjoy the lifestyle it has to offer. We bring you travel, lifestyle, interiors, renovation and more. Get inspired by the French way of life in beautiful South West of France!
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[@growinginlife]

I would insulate it well so you can heat it during the winter and keep the heat out for summer. Then I would turn it into a library/collectors room with bookcases, tables, lamps, writing desks, and extremely comfortable chairs and couches. The size of it would make for a beautiful room. You could even build a walk in storage/closet for your seasonal decorations. Make the room someplace you would not want to leave.

[@charenteliving]

I think that's the ideal kind of space, a place to be inspired!

[@libertyblueskyes2564]

Attics are wonderful places to dream, to gaze at the treetops and clouds, I vote for a creative space, one to write music and poetry, paint, photograph or repair antiques. An attic full of books and treasures.

[@charenteliving]

The perfect dreamers space alright!!!

[@TheCrowsNest1950]

Hi Robert and Jyrki, I would suggest that the attic ceiling should be fully insulated to retain the most amount of heat that comes up from the floors below. Even though the weather is milder where you are, the amount of heat loss is still a consideration in an old house. The more insulation you add to the house, the lower your energy bills will be over the coming years, an important factor to consider no matter where you live or the climate. Mark & Scott

[@torrerobb2238]

I think you would be best to use rockwool and then use insulated plaster board.. insulation is not just to keep it warm in the winter but also cool in the summer, I am sure you can find lots off videos on youtube to help you. if the existing floor boards cannot be saved then you could always use a chipbard floor board to make a flat level base that you can finish with a laminate over the top, suggest you insulate under the floor to minimise noise transmission. if you could put larger or more dormer windows in you could create a wonderful master bedroom suite with en suite bathroom and wardrobes or music/art studio. Robb Torremolinos Spain xxx

[@charenteliving]

Hi Robb, Sorry for the late reply to this!! Unfortunately we won't be able to save the floor boards as many are too rotten now. I think we try for the chipboard or something similar. Of course hoping the price of materials will come down too as its a large area to cover. Really appreciate the suggestions. Greetings to you in Spain!!

[@williamfahey6066]

I think you can use the space for anything you want. I probably use the space as a Den. I think that would be really nice. Jeff❤

[@charenteliving]

Yes it has great potential!

[@sue7190]

We used sheeps wool insulation under plasterboard in our unheated granary and it has been very effective. It has lots of double glazed windows and we use electric heating as needed. The solar gain from the windows is very effective.

[@charenteliving]

Oh great, thank you so much for sharing that!!! Will be looking into all these options!!

[@diogogrilo8810]

It’s a beautiful space!! I would personally think about the future and maybe leave it prepared to have a bathroom and storage space. You may not have very cold winters but probably have really hot summers so insulating with rock wool or something of the sort would maybe be a better option. And since you guys are probably pulling the old floor out I would also insulate there for temperature and sound. Love your videos 🇵🇹

[@charenteliving]

Thanks Diogo, great ideas!!

[@kefaad]

Your attic is spacious and full of potential. Since you are not going to have any heating system for winter you can turn it into a summer guest rooms.

[@charenteliving]

Yeah would be great as guest rooms.

[@katherineparsons9585]

If it was my place I’d turn the attic into a sewing workshop

[@charenteliving]

Yes it's the perfect atelier space!!

[@beiderbecke1927]

Some great suggestions here, but I think it would make a great space for a crazy elderly artist, such as this loyal fan, to live. You'd hardly notice me, especially since I'm nocturnal. Well, in any case, it will be wonderful.

[@charenteliving]

Haha a great idea!!

[@hiris1903]

That roof leaking area is called a "dead valley" I think. I have the same thing in a small part of my roof. When I had a metal roof put on, that valley had to be done just with a thick layer of bitumen - I wasn't happy with the look (although not easy to see it), but was told it's the only way to seal it

[@charenteliving]

Our builder recently found a new spray sealant, that when you spray it coats like plastic, and it has been working in the last couple of weeks so fingers crossed now. Tricky places these valleys.

[@jannehakli3742]

We have enjoyed your videos as we are also renovating a house in France. Our attic looks like yours at the moment but we have had the building supplies there for a couple of years now for converting it to a small appartment for visiting friends & family. Other projects and too much optimism in the schedules have delayed the work 😂. As you probably know there are some things to consider besides how to actually do it when converting an attic into habitable space - the paperwork for permissions, tax implications as you are extending the house by adding habitable surface area, the need for an architect if your house is or becomes over 150 m2 in size, etc. Most importantly the created new space needs to meet the building and energy efficiency regulations. This means that if you make the attic into habitable space - bedrooms, home office, etc., it needs to be insulated to current standards for the paperwork to go through. In practice that means insulating the roof with about 30 cm of mineral wool or other material. There are a lot of technical matters to look into too - the choice of insulation material, ventilation of the underside of the roof and the vapour barrier on the inside of the insulation for example. Too much really to discuss here but there are videos and material online. Alternatively as you suggest you could keep the attic as a large open unheated empty space. In this case you could store some old furniture, books and perhaps even an old piano there. I doubt that any official will come to see how your stored furniture is arranged 😂. The space would look great with the white ceiling and exposed beams, stone walls and with more windows as you suggest. If you are keeping the attic as an attic, I would insulate the floor to keep the house warm. In this case the required level of insulation is lower than for the roof. To meet the current regulations about 20 cm of polystyrene would be needed under the veneer boards on the floor. Polyurethane is more expensive but more insulating material so you can get the same insulation with thinner boards. As this would be a renovation you can also use less insulation than in new builds if you like. In any case proper insulation in the roof or on the attic floor will make a big difference in keeping the house warm in the winter and cooler in the summer. Nowadays it is also required that all insulation work (materials used and their thicknesses, etc.) is documented for issuing the energy efficiency certificate when needed.

[@charenteliving]

Thank you so much for the wonderful comment. Our apologies it has taken so long to reply. We have been a bit busy and wanted to take the time to reply properly. We really appreciate all this advice as we didn't know about, needing an architect for example with the plus 150m2, so thank you so much for that. We are considering not heating it and making it more of a studio to work in when the weather is mild and bearable so the expense would be less and a big open room would be just wonderful to have. Where about in France are you renovating?? All the best from us!!

[@jannehakli3742]

We are in the Pyrenees and we have two houses. Ours was basically already renovated but still maintenance, repairs, changes and upgrades to do - and we have another house close by. This one needs a complete renovation. All is DIY as in this remote area builders cost more than elsewhere in France and it usually takes a long time before they can start the work. Our house had had the attic converted into bedrooms and we turned it into two bedrooms, a lounge and a bathroom. The roof had 16cm of insulation and we added 10cm into the crawl space that covers 2/3 of the attic ceiling. This made the house two degrees warmer on the winter mornings. It would have been good to have been able to add more insulation to the whole roof but that would have meant ripping open the whole ceiling and lowering it. The other attic is an empty space that has 1cm of multilayer insulation under the roof. It doesn't do much, it's hot on the summer afternoons and cold on the mornings. We are going to add more insulation - it's easy to do now when there is no ceiling yet. About 35 % of the heat loss of a house is through the roof so you can make a big difference by insulating the attic - either with insulation under the roof or/and on the attic floor. More is better but there is of course the budget considerations and how much height in the attic is lost by adding insulation. Glasswool is the most inexpensive soft insulation material, particularly 10cm thick glasswool in rolls. Rockwool tolerates damp better but it's heavier. For rigid boards polystyrene is cheapest. A large open attic will be an amazing space and any insulation you put in will make the temperature there more stable - and improve the energy efficiency of the whole house.

[@albertpeckham8708]

I would investigate expanding foam insulation. I used it in my attic and it seems to work after 14 years. It was not a cheap date but it was the most convenient.

[@charenteliving]

Thanks so much Albert, will definitely look into it!!!

[@LaReynedEpee]

You can certainly use an insulated plasterboard on the ceiling and any walls you don’t intend leaving exposed. Id be tempted to put windows on the back if you can get permission, partly to allow access for inspection of that roof gully. I'm wondering if you would consider sanding the floor boards, but perhaps the time and effort isn't really worth it. Whatever you lay can incorporate a bit of insulation to help control the temperature in the house below. It's a very useful and adaptable space.

[@charenteliving]

Thank you so much for the reply, its so appreciated!! Sadly the floor is past its sell by date and will have to be replaced as so many boards are rotten and best to just renew it. Great idea about the windows in the back!!

[@lenovotablet2495]

Πολύ ωραία τα βίντεο σας εύχομαι και η ζωή σας ακόμη ποίο όμορφη από ότι φαίνεται στα βίντεο. Περιμένω κάθε φορά το νέο βίντεο. Από Ελλάδα είμαι Βέροια. Την Βέροια την γράφει ο απόστολος Παύλος στις επιστολές του γιατί πέρασε από εδώ

[@charenteliving]

Thank you for the lovely comment Veria!! Greetings from both of us to you!!

[@neilschipper3741]

That beautiful addict would make a lovely Library, music room, with enough space to invite guests over and enjoy the music. Good idea about the foam board insulation however you would need insulation under that and a vapor barrier. Can you imagine your piano at one end and your library at the other end? Best of luck on your journey of discovery!

[@maryo629]

Can you imagine hoisting a piano up there?

[@neilschipper3741]

@@maryo629 I've done it with the help of two other people. You can break a baby grand down to Five Easy Pieces, makes the move much easier.

[@charenteliving]

Would be a perfect music room. Not sure about getting the piano up, but you never know!! haha

[@Jane-3229]

Oh what a fantastic space! 😍 my hubby and I renovate period properties in England. Despite what you said about the warmer weather where you are I would definitely advise you insulate the roof with the recommended materials as will protect you from cold and heat. If you are interested I’ll ask hubby for the exact materials he used. Also I would repair the beautiful walls and render the bare wall with lime plaster so the building can breathe. Also consult a structural engineer (council planning department in UK) not sure in France to see if you need to strengthen the floor 😘 I waxed our beams with pure bees wax (from Amazon) and it smells delicious 😋 can’t wait to watch your progress. Big love to you both x

[@charenteliving]

Hi Jane, So sorry for late reply. Had been mad busy and wanted to take the time to respond properly. Really appreciate your comment. Such a great idea about waxing the beams, it's exactly the look we would be going for. Regarding the walls we would agree also and re rendering the wall would be a beautiful option. Hopefully in the Spring we can look at tackling this project. Are you both renovating full time? Best regards from us. x

[@jimmyconnolly3461]

I’m willing to go anywhere with you guys. 😉😂❤️🥂xx

[@charenteliving]

Haha thanks Jimmy!

[@user-ow2gv4cj3r]

Be careful to keep some ventilation in the roof, as that's where all the water vapour in the house will try to escape, and will need to escape. Too many roofs are insulated with 100% water proof barriers and this can lead to damp problems in the house.

[@charenteliving]

Thank you so much for the advice!

[@davidmiller-br4bu]

Could be a chill out space/ media room ... I was going to suggest a music room but I wouldn’t wont to lug a baby grand up those stairs lol 😂

[@charenteliving]

Haha might be a bit heavy alright!!

[@j.c4007]

Bonjour, vous avez eu déjà beaucoup de suggestions! Voici la mienne🤔🤔🤔 Vous pourriez demander l'autorisation pour 2 autres "chiens assis" (c'est le nom des grandes fenêtres du grenier, qui "sortent" du toit). Pour l'isolation, si vous le pouvez financièrement, utilisez des materiaux écologiques, tels que : laine de chanvre, laine de bois ou laine de mouton. Pour le sol, si vous devez le refaire, vous avez 2 solutions, je oense. L'une est de refaire un plancher que vous isolerez également (énergie et bruits/phonique). L'autre est de faire une dalle en béton de chanvre : voir les videos de "Guillaume en Bourgogne", qui a fait cela. Il a aussi nettoyer et refait les joints des pierres des murs, fait une isolation de certains murs en béton de chanvre. En été, c'est plus facile, ça sèche plus vite.

[@charenteliving]

Wow, des conseils tellement intéressants et inspirants. Merci beaucoup, nous sommes très reconnaissants. Nous vérifierons le béton de chanvre en ligne.

[@charisoutofTexas]

Good morning from Oklahoma.☕️🍂

[@charenteliving]

Good morning to you there!!

[@merrianoliver-weymouth5265]

This chateau renovation lined their attic with heavy foil against the drafts. You can see them begin at around 6.07 mark kzbin.info/www/bejne/nnncaoFugpKLetUsi=dPkqTDV82CBR7flO I've also seen others adding/using foam backed plasterboard. I think seeing what the temperatures are like once the room is sealed will dictate how it is used. If you are mainly at the house in summer, will it be too hot up there? Does it become a winter sitting room? Getting the extra skylight roof windows will be important too. I love what you are doing with your home and the gentle moments of life in Charente and Finland that you share

[@charenteliving]

Thank you so much for this, I am sure it will be a great help. So glad you are enjoying our videos!!

[@albertpeckham8708]

I adore your tile roof. Here in the US, asphalt shingles are the norm. Not very handsome, I must say.

[@charenteliving]

Yes we love it too, the roman canal style looks beautiful on all the roofs!

[@CM-dx9yn]

It should and must be converted into a Canadian consulate/mancave

[@charenteliving]

Done!! haha