THE SECOND COTTAGE - The Attic

Having cleared the house out, the new joists were fitted to support the attic conversion floor. These were cemented into the wall and the central oak beam used to provide support for the span of the joist framework. Because the beam was of insufficient cross section, this was further supported with three oak uprights resting on the ground floor dividing wall. The staircase from the first floor to the attic room was then assembled and positioned. We had brought the staircase (actually two of them) from England in kit form, not for reason of price but because we did have some difficulty sourcing a basic model here which would be completely enclosed. We found a supplier in Farnworth, near Bolton who was able to provide two basic staircases, assemble them, and then dismantle them for transporting at around £150 each - not a bad deal!

In France almost all standard staircases are the same height (around 2.76metres with 13 steps, giving an average riser of 21 cm. Many older properties and particularly cottages and farmhouses have a much lower ceiling height than this. By cutting a standard staircase you can achieve varying heights in multiples of the riser height. For instance: the ceiling height on the right was approx. 2.31 metres therefore a standard staircase could be cut down to 10 steps (11 risers including the joist) to give the required height. This is a considerable saving on made to measure units which are extremely expensive. Cutting a staircase is not very difficult, it just requires care and precision. When estimating remember that the top riser is formed by the joist which the staircase butts against, and that the final step is actually the top floor.

Next came the floor which was good quality tongue and groove pine floorboard. We had already decided that this particular cottage would be let during the winter months also, so insulation was an important factor. For this reason we decided not to keep the natural exterior walls exposed. Additionally the ridge beam, although solidly installed, was going be partially hidden by the ceiling - I dislke not being able to check the condition of important strucutural elements - call me over cautious - after all the beam had been there for at least 150 years so the chances of it failing in my lifetime was remote - nevertheless!! The stud partitioning, which would form the end wall and enclose the insulation was also strengthened to provide additional support for the ridge beam should there ever be any problem. (Belt and braces) The Velux window took just half a day to install. A little higher than we wanted but the postion of the purlin was the deciding factor in this.


This ceiling was contructed using the metal hangar and rail system which is far easier and quicker than using timber, and also allows for any future movement in the roof timbers. Having fitted all of the hangars the insulation was impaled on them then held in place with galvanised wire wrapped around the hangars and stretched between them. Finally the metal rails were clipped into place, ready to take the plasterboard.