Knee Wall in Home Construction: What It Is and Why Its Height Matters So Much

If you plan to build a house with a finished attic, you should definitely look into the subject of knee walls (Kniestock). Although it might seem like a minor detail, it has a massive impact on how effectively you can utilize the space beneath your roof. That’s why it pays off to address this issue early in your planning.

Especially in a knee wall house with a pitched roof (Satteldach) or hipped roof (Walmdach), details make all the difference—including the height of the knee wall. Its exact measurement not only influences your headroom and available storage space but also affects your construction budget and the home’s overall appearance. In this article, you’ll learn what a knee wall really is, how it functions, and how to determine the best height for your project.

What Exactly Is a Knee Wall?

You may have heard the term knee wall (Kniestock or Drempel) before but weren’t entirely sure of its meaning. Put simply, it’s the vertical wall that runs between the top ceiling of the top floor and the beginning of the roof slope.

This wall ensures that the attic space offers more room for standing and placing furniture. In a classic pitched roof with a knee wall, the vertical section is located at the outer edge so that the roof doesn’t start sloping right at the floor level.

Key points to keep in mind:

• The knee wall is part of the roof structure, not the floor below
• Its height typically ranges between 30 cm and 150 cm
• The higher it is, the more usable space you gain in the attic

Why Do You Need a Knee Wall at All?

The main function of a knee wall is simple: It turns an otherwise cramped attic into a proper living area. Without it, you’d only have a tiny zone where you could stand upright, while the rest would be blocked off by the roof’s slope.

A carefully planned Drempel roof not only expands your available space but also makes the entire attic feel more comfortable to live in. You can arrange furniture more flexibly, enjoy extra natural light, and even have more options when it comes to how you lay out the rooms.

Advantages of a knee wall include:

• Ideal spots for shelves, wardrobes, or beds against the wall
• Greater freedom of movement and more headroom
• Potential for larger windows and increased sunlight

Why Is Knee Wall Height So Important?

Deciding how high to make your knee wall can significantly change the look and feel of your attic. Whether it’s low or high not only affects how the room feels but also dictates how you can arrange furnishings.

Here’s a rough guide:

• 30–50 cm: Very low, offering almost no functional wall space
• 70–100 cm: A popular middle ground—comfortable and flexible
• Over 100 cm: Nearly like a standard room, though it may look bulkier and cost more

Your optimal knee wall height will also depend on what you plan to do with your attic. Is it intended as a children’s room? An office? A guest area? And remember: Some local building authorities have strict guidelines on maximum knee wall heights, so always consult your local building plan first.

High or Low Knee Wall—Which Is Right for You?

Whether a high or a low knee wall suits you better depends entirely on your personal priorities. Both options have their upsides and downsides.

High Knee Wall:

✔ Plenty of usable space and headroom

✔ Great for setting up furniture

✔ Allows for larger windows

✘ Higher building costs

✘ Can make the house appear larger from the outside

Low Knee Wall:

✔ Less expensive

✔ Often considered more aesthetically pleasing

✘ Reduced usable floor space

✘ Limited functionality

If having a comfortable, fully usable space matters most to you, you’ll likely be happier with a medium or high knee wall roof. This holds especially true for families or anyone intending to use the attic regularly. In such cases, the investment usually pays off.

Key Points for Homeowners When Planning a Knee Wall

When you begin your planning process, be sure to factor in the height of the knee wall right from the start. It doesn’t just affect the floor plan but also how you’ll be able to use the space later on.

That’s where ATLAS HAUS comes in: We guide you through the entire construction phase—from the first draft to the completed project. We pay special attention to every centimeter, especially when working on modular houses. Even with a compact layout, a skillfully planned house knee wall can unlock a lot of additional space.

Tips for your planning process:

• Check your local development plan before anything else
• Think carefully about how you intend to use the attic
• Keep the roof pitch in mind—the steeper it is, the less knee wall you may need
• Discuss with your architect precisely how much height is ideal

How Knee Walls Work with Different Roof Types

Not every roof is the same, and not all are ideally suited for a knee wall. While gable roofs (Satteldach) typically include them, other roof designs can also incorporate this feature effectively.

Some good combinations include:

• Gable roof with knee wall: Provides evenly usable space on both sides
• Single-pitch roof (Pultdach) with knee wall: One side with considerable headroom, the other side more sloped
• Hipped roof (Walmdach) with knee wall: A bit trickier, but still feasible

Especially in modular homes, a roof knee wall is a clever way to make a limited floor plan feel more spacious. That’s exactly our specialty at ATLAS HAUS—tailored solutions for modern living spaces.

Conclusion: A Well-Designed Knee Wall Adds Space and Comfort

A well-thought-out knee wall can transform your attic into far more than a storage area. With the right height, it becomes a proper room—bright, airy, and entirely livable. Best of all, you get to decide exactly how much space you need.

If you’re looking to bring your dream house to life through smart planning, ATLAS HAUS is here to help. We’ll make sure your knee wall house not only looks appealing but also shines in everyday practicality.