Attic


decorators3
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HI  

 

Not sure how to go about this but here is the clients wish list..

 

- Build a garage 24 x 24 with 9ft ceiling

 

- Build an in-law suite  16' x 24' above the garage with 8' ceiling 

 

- Exterior entrance to in law suite

 

I'm pretty sure in order to do this I have to have the exterior walls of the 16' x 24' room extend through the roof on one side in order to have an exterior entrance.  but I'm thinking this will be off center

 

Attached is an exterior image example from google search ( only interested in the attic area )  of how I think it will look will work unless you have other suggestions which would be greatly appreciated..

 

I've never been asked to design this before 

 

Cheers

Levina

Attached is garage plans with attic. i don't see how its possible to  have a livable space in the attic (ie) kitchen living room bathroom etc at a comfortable height with 16 x 24 floor plan. knee walls are not very high  .. I just need to know it is doable .. with the plan staying within the confines of the roof/attic

 

All your responses and suggestions have been appreciated but I cant seem to get it  

 

thanks in advance

 

 

I've built a 2nd floor 16 x 24 over the 24 x 24 garage  - can I get this look. ? as shown --  without the guys in the front

 

 

 

 

 

 

GARAGEPLANDRAWINGS Brady.pdf

cb3e69276dcbdf88a6f5f22255096b83.jpg

Edited by decorators3
showing garage with upper floor
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15 minutes ago, decorators3 said:

how to get the exterior walls to  protrude through the roof like the image I attached.

 

I don't think that image is what your client is asking for. I think they want an attic room contained entirely within the roof, with knee walls as someone else said:

 

image.thumb.png.40526ddd2c595b045cb3980f04cf09a6.png

 

image.thumb.png.f9b5e1e777baaba32990b028adeab093.png

 

It can easily be done with trusses called attic room trusses or bonus room trusses. The second story walls do not protrude through the roof. The 8' ceiling will be in the center of the room, with a sloping ceiling.

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11 minutes ago, Chrisb222 said:

 

I don't think that image is what your client is asking for. I think they want an attic room contained entirely within the roof, with knee walls as someone else said:

 

image.thumb.png.40526ddd2c595b045cb3980f04cf09a6.png

 

image.thumb.png.f9b5e1e777baaba32990b028adeab093.png

 

It can easily be done with trusses called attic room trusses or bonus room trusses. The second story walls do not protrude through the roof. The 8' ceiling will be in the center of the room, with a sloping ceiling.

yes  that's correct .. you're right...

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9 hours ago, decorators3 said:

Build an in-law suite  16' x 24' above the garage with 8' ceiling 

 

- Exterior entrance to in law suite

 

I'm pretty sure in order to do this I have to have the exterior walls of the 16' x 24' room extend through the roof on one side in order to have an exterior entrance.  but I'm thinking this will be off center

 

Attached is an exterior image example from google search ( only interested in the attic area )  of how I think it will look will work unless you have other suggestions which would be greatly appreciated..

 

You may not need the attic/turned into living space concept. the image posted appears to me to just be a second storey as the second storey walls look to be bearing on the first storey walls. if they want 16x24 on top of a 24x24 garage, I would just put a first storey roof over the back 8' and align the three walls to the garage walls at the front, and if they want a vaulted ceiling starting at 5' on the sides(maybe to meet height restrictions?), then draw in ceiling planes to give you the roof trusses. The front gable does not look like a real gable, it looks like an eave drawn to look like a gable.

 

But if I were them, I would build 24x24 on top and if they want the back 8ft to be nothing then just make it storage. You  can dress upt the roofs how you would like

 

As you are in canada, beware the outside stairs, if conditioned, you will need to pipe heat in there,  or you can put a door at the top and leave unconditioned.

 

In alberta, the outside stairs are a "tall wall" and will require engineering.

 

Also, not sure how your jurisdiction treats limiting distance. Here I have to draw an imaginary property line between the garage suite and the house and then calculate unprotected openings and ensure the aggregate is less than the table in the NBC

 

 

Edited by SHCanada2
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I'm trying to get my head around this attic space for an in law suite. 

 

the garage is 24' x 24' with a 12:12 roof pitch.  I cannot see how a 16 x 24 with with kitchen - bedroom bathroom etc is viable in this space.  I've attached the garage showing attic plan for you to have a look and let me know if I'm missing something or trying it too long.

 

all your help has been truly appreciated 

GARAGEPLANDRAWINGS Brady.pdf

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You will for sure have to add a wide shed dormer to one side.... This can give you the head clearance needed. I would also raise the roof bearing up a bit to give more usable width in the middle. 

Edited by PitMan71
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2 hours ago, decorators3 said:

I cannot see how a 16 x 24 with with kitchen - bedroom bathroom etc is viable in this space.

 

Add dormers to increase full wall height spaces, can be gable or shed. 

 

This is one I did a few years back:

 

1313957515_Screenshot2025-09-03at10_39_42AM.thumb.png.ff3f5f2b827f9cd16d576ed159f35dfd.png

 

983076744_Screenshot2025-09-03at10_40_18AM.thumb.png.5a115c8949f7a8ee8df122d8b80775b3.png

 

544662602_Screenshot2025-09-03at10_42_29AM.thumb.png.2c433c0e1f625b4080563b0c0cdabf9d.png

 

977032801_Screenshot2025-09-03at10_43_05AM.thumb.png.770e0da86f0200d82a328e8aea271745.png

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4 minutes ago, decorators3 said:

do I still go through the process of attic trusses etc?

 

Do you mean for construction? Or to build the model in Chief? The last picture is an attic truss, but it can be stick framed as well.

 

If you mean to just build the model in Chief you just need to create the rooms and roof planes, you don't have to frame it.

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Just now, Chrisb222 said:

 

Do you mean for construction? Or to build the model in Chief? The last picture is an attic truss, but it can be stick framed as well.

 

If you mean to just build the model in Chief you just need to create the rooms and roof planes, you don't have to frame it.

well its going to need final drawings 

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I'm still at crossroads with the 16 x 24 in - law suite .. 

 

so what I did was - build 2nd floor with the 16 x 24 showing on the left side of the garage below away from the neighbours side view.. so the remaining 8 feet on the right side I have as attic space.

 

I followed the video for story and half but some of the instructions are not showing in x17. plus not sure how to get a full room as shown on the floor plan - unless I have sloped walls or something

 

Here is how my exterior looks with 2nd floor a full 8ft ceiling  and manual roof plans to give it the look of a dormer or something similar (its still a work in progress!! don't judge me lol ) but trying to find out if this is the best alternative to a story and half

 

any and all suggestions were welcomed and have studied and adapted as best I could.. Attached  floor plan idea based on clients request 

 

Please let me know how I'm doing or what  else I can do

 

Levina

veiw of garage .png

floor plan.png

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15 hours ago, decorators3 said:

Please let me know how I'm doing or what  else I can do

 

It looks good but how are you gonna build it? I see a lot of issues with supporting the second floor and the roof - i.e., this design won't work using bonus room trusses. Not saying it can't be done, but it's challenging... 

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41 minutes ago, Chrisb222 said:

 

It looks good but how are you gonna build it? I see a lot of issues with supporting the second floor and the roof - i.e., this design won't work using bonus room trusses. Not saying it can't be done, but it's challenging... 

i just don't know how to get him the bonus room 

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