Index
The attic is a home on the top floor with large spaces and access dedicated, while the attic is in the attic, often with reduced heights and non-walkable areas.
Attics represent an interesting option for those who want buying a house, especially in the city. But what exactly is meant by attic? It is an apartment created in the attic of a building, the ceiling of which follows the slope of the roof. roof. They can be studios or open spaces, but also one-bedroom or two-bedroom apartments, and the size can vary greatly.
What is the difference between an attic, a mansard, and a loft?
Although they are both top floors, an attic and a mansard are two very different types of housing. While the attic is habitable in its entirety, the attic is a room created in the attic of a building and, often, in the points where the sloping roof is lowest, the heights become unwalkable. A second element that tends to define the use of one term rather than another is the size of the accommodation: usually, attics have larger square footage than attics.
Another important difference to keep in mind is that between an attic and a loft: while the former is a habitable space, with light sources and adequate space, the attic is often part of a larger home and is not suitable for living in for extended periods.
Pros and cons of living in an attic
Attics allow you to have larger square footage even in the city center, at prices that are on average lower than standard apartments. On the other hand, however, there are some limitations to living in this type of apartment.
The advantages of attics
Buying an attic has several advantages:
- For the same size and location, attics often have more affordable prices;
- Many attics are located in central locations – for example in the historic center –, close to services and connections;
- Some of these housing solutions, despite being located in historic buildings, have undergone renovations in recent years;
- In some cases, attics offer access to shared or private terraces and balconies;
- Being on the top floor, they can be brighter than other types of homes, especially if they have skylights or windows large.
The disadvantages of these apartments
On the other hand, however, this type of housing has limitations that cannot be ignored when evaluating the purchase.
- The internal heights vary greatly and there are always areas with very low ceilings, which require a certain amount of care in choosing the furnishings and organizing the spaces;
- The top floors tend to be warmer during the summer seasons and colder in the winter seasons;
- Consequently, heating and cooling an attic could be more complex and expensive than other types of apartments;
- Especially in older buildings, it can happen that attics are reachable only by stairs;
- Being the top floor, if it is not well soundproofed, the attic could be noisy due to traffic and the sound of rain hitting the roof;
- It is also necessary to take into account the costs for extraordinary maintenance of the building's roof.
Renovating an attic
And buying an attic to renovate? Renovating requires paying particular attention to some crucial aspects, such as thermal and acoustic insulation. It is advisable to install a thermal jacket on the sloping walls of the attic and use sound-absorbing materials to create living comfort. The goal is to make the rooms warm in winter and cool in summer, also reducing noise from rain and city traffic.
To make the most of the spaces, often irregularly shaped, you can opt for modern architectural solutions such as mezzanines and fitted walls. With a well-planned renovation, the attic can be transformed into a functional and cutting-edge apartment, where every detail is aimed at living comfort.
How to furnish an attic?
To furnish an attic, it is important to choose solutions that make the most of the available spaces, often characterized by low heights and irregular shapes. Opting for custom-made furniture or modular elements is ideal for adapting to sloping walls and making the most of every available centimeter.
Colors can also help give spaces a sense of space: light colors and pastel shades better reflect the natural light that enters from skylights. To add character, you can use decorations with industrial references or shabby chic that go well with the style of an attic. Finally, the bedspread, cushions, and textile accessories allow you to define the different living and sleeping areas with style.
Who is an attic best suited to?
Attics are best suited to specific categories of buyers:
- Couples and singles: the spaces are adequate for one or two people, less so for large families;
- Investors: interesting rental income, especially for students and workers away from home;
- Creatives and artists: the spaces between the attic and open-plan solutions lend themselves to being used as a studio;
- Design lovers: there is great freedom in creating modern solutions with a unique style;
- Retirees: if the building has an elevator, they are also suitable for seniors.
If you are interested in purchasing an attic in the main Italian cities, such as Rome, Milan or Turin, try Casavo's solutions!