While some attics remain long-forgotten, gathering dust from a growing pile of clutter and a lack of access to proper heating and plumbing, others choose to convert these neglected spaces into luxury lofts. With the potential to significantly increase the value of your home, a loft can make for a daunting and ambitious project but often ends up being incredibly rewarding. If you’re considering an attic conversion, take note of these 5 key factors.
1. Why Convert Your Attic at All?
As opposed to investing in a costly room addition or uprooting your entire family, converting a loft makes for a simple solution to missing floor space. Not to mention, lofts are extremely versatile spaces that can serve any purpose. From a guest bedroom to a study or studio to children’s playroom, the possibilities you reap with a loft are endless.
As previously mentioned, you can also boost your home value by up to 20% if you eventually plan to put it up on the market. As a rule of thumb, invest only in what you can afford—you want to see a financial return eventually.
2. What are Common Issues Encountered During Loft Conversion?
The first step to properly converting your loft is to determine whether there is enough space to adapt it into a fully-functioning room. Roof pitches and ceiling heights are vital to any loft conversion project—if you aren’t equipped to measure these yourself, you can seek the help of a contractor.
Secondly, you need to ensure that the addition of stairs, storage and furniture can efficiently serve the intended purpose of the room. If you’re hoping to incorporate a space for at least two or more people, note whether any current fixtures, such as plumbing or heating need to be relocated.
3. What Are the Various Types of Loft Conversions?
To a certain extent, your loft conversion will be dictated by the current architecture of your home, permitted development rights, and budget. An architect that help you navigate the various loft selections, which include:
- Rooflight conversions – a simple structure option, these conversions mostly entail the addition of windows, perfect for attics with higher roofs and plenty of headroom.
- Dormer loft conversions – if working with a looser budget, you’ll need to accommodate a roof restructure to achieve this type of loft. You can opt to add full-height windows and doors to allow more natural light in.
- Hip to gable loft conversions – this style maximises smaller loft spaces, removing sloped sides and replacing them with full, vertical walls.
- Roof lift conversions – an expensive option, this conversion involves a full roof replacement.
3. What Legal Considerations Should You Make?
To perform a loft conversion, you’ll need to adhere to the considerations under Building Regulations. To do so, a professional will conduct a physical inspection of the strength and stability of your existing structure. Through Building Regulations, contractors can more effectively reduce the potential risks involved and provide fixed quotations on the work you want to be done.
4. What Professional Help is Recommended?
What help you’ll need to outsource will depend primarily on the complexity of your project. Appoint an architect or building surveyor to assess the likelihood of fulfilling your specific vision. With them, you can prepare technical drawings and obtain the necessary approvals to manage your project.
Conclusion
When pursuing a loft conversion, work with an experienced builder who is prudent, timely, and well-connected. Discuss designs beforehand to determine the financial viability of your project and what materials you may need to collect.
At Pro Loft Conversions Bristol, we provide clients with excellent value for money on second-to-none, high-quality loft conversion project. Whatever vision you have in mind, we make it entirely possible.
