Single-story house or one with an attic? What to choose for a 100 m² home?
Single-story house or one with an attic? What to choose for a 100 m² home?
You have 100 m² to develop – should you spread it out on one level or build an attic?
This is a question every investor asks themselves these days, especially when trying to fit into 100 m² while achieving a comfortable, ergonomic layout. In this article, we compare single-story houses and houses with attics , from the perspective of cost, functionality, construction, and future life.
🧱 Functional differences – ground floor vs. attic
| Characteristic | Single-story house | House with an attic |
|---|---|---|
| Number of floors | 1 | 1 + 1 (attic) |
| Stairs | lack | yes – they take up 3–5 m² + cost |
| Building height | low, easy to fit into the landscape | higher, often requires a different WZ |
| Foundation costs | higher (larger building area) | lower |
| Roof costs | higher (larger surface, often flat) | lower with a straight roof |
| Availability of rooms | all on one level | zoning: downstairs - living room, upstairs - bedrooms |
| Adaptability in old age | high – no barriers | lower – stairs |
💰 Which house is cheaper?
It depends. Usually:
-
A single-story house has a more expensive foundation and roof , but is easier to assemble and often has a shorter construction time.
-
A house with an attic has a smaller footprint (which can be advantageous in terms of planning permission) and it is easier to achieve a larger area at a lower cost per m² .
💡 If you have a plot less than 20 m wide, a single-story house may simply not fit with a sensible layout.
📏 Example: 100 m² house
| Variant | Building | Net area | Approximate turnkey cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Single-story | 100 m² | 100 m² | from 460,000 PLN |
| With attic (50+50) | 65 m² | 100 m² | from 420,000 PLN |
Note: costs may be similar, but functional layout and comfort are completely different.
🧠 When is it worth choosing a single-story apartment?
✔️ You have a large plot of land (e.g. over 800 m²)
✔️ You are building for yourself for years – you want to avoid stairs
✔️ You think about the elderly, children, accessibility
✔️ You want a simple, modern building with a terrace
🧠 And when is it better to invest in an attic?
✔️ You have a narrow plot or planning restrictions
✔️ You want to separate the living and sleeping areas
✔️ Are you looking for a more economical solution?
✔️ You are planning to expand in the future (e.g. mezzanine, dressing room)
✍️ Comment by Dorota Burzec
"The most common mistake is choosing a single-story house on a 500 m² plot without considering the layout. Or planning an attic space when parents are ill. A design isn't just about aesthetics—it's a decision for 20 years. We analyze it with you and present the options."
❓FAQ – investors ask
Can a house with an attic be higher than 8.5 m?
Yes – but you need to check with the local zoning plan or obtain the appropriate development plan. Single-story buildings are usually lower.
Can I build a 100 m² house without a permit?
No – the limit only applies to houses up to 70 m². Houses over 100 m² require a permit.
Can a single-story house be raised in the future?
Theoretically, yes, but technically and formally it's difficult. It's better to plan this from the beginning.
📩 Not sure which option is better for you?
Send us the parameters of your plot – we will advise you whether it is better to build a single-story house or one with an attic.
You will receive an analysis, a preview and a preliminary quote.
👉 Order a project analysis and quote
🔗 See also:
– Stages of building a prefabricated house – step by step
– Prefabricated house 70–100 m² – cost, selection, construction
– Individual or catalog design?
