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How To Remodel Basements And Attics
What is a section view? If you cut an orange in half, move the two halves apart and then look at one of the cut surfaces, you would see a section view of the orange. In order to visualize a section view of attic space, you must imagine that such space can also be cut in half, and the two halves moved apart so you can see one of the cut surfaces. For example, imagine that the roof shown in Part A of Fig. 1 could be cut vertically along the dotted line x y. Further, suppose that one part of the severed roof could be moved away so that you could see the remaining cut surface. Part B of Fig. 1 shows what you would see— a section view.
KNEE WALLS
Because the roof over an attic space slopes, as shown in Parts A and B of Fig. 1, the spaces near the eaves, see ade and cfg at B, are so small (distance from floor to roof) they cannot be used as living spaces. Thus, most people build what are known as knee walls (de and fg) between the floor and roof. Such walls should have a minimum height of at least 4 ft.
COLLAR BEAMS
Collar beams, see gh in Part B of Fig. 1, are structural details generally used to strengthen a roof, that is, prevent it from spreading. These beams extend from one side of a roof to the other and are nailed to the roof rafters. Ordinarily, these beams form the ceiling in a remodeled attic.
ATTIC WALLS AND CEILING
As indicated in Part B of Fig. 1, the walls that are parallel to the roof (knee walls) are not likely to be more than 4 or 5 ft. high. Thus, they restrict the use of attic space to some extent. This fact should be understood and remembered when planning an attic-remodeling project.
USABLE ATTIC FLOOR SPACE
Because of the knee walls necessary in an attic space, the usable width of the floor, see ts in Part C of Fig. 1, is considerably less than the width of the house. As indicated at C, it is only about 60 percent of the total width. This is another fact you should carefully consider when planning your attic-remodeling project.
