One of the clever ways to expand your home and increase its value is by converting a loft. Are you yearning for a cosy bedroom, a silent office, or a creative corner? Why not consider the loft conversion in Eltham, Bromley, Chislehurst and beyond as an ideal solution?
However, before you can start planning or constructing, you should confirm whether your loft is suitable for conversion. Height, structure, access, and insulation are important factors that will determine whether your loft can be converted for use.
What are the Key Things to Check Before Loft Conversion?
Here, we will outline the essential checks every homeowner should consider. On the one hand, with on-time preparation and professional advice, you will avoid large-scale surprises that can be costly, but on the other hand, you will unlock the best of your home’s hidden potential.
Check the Head Height
The headroom of the loft is the very first thing that should be considered. Vertical spaces must be sufficiently well-designed to allow for standing, moving, and living. Measure the height of the present floor to the top of the ceiling. Your loft should be at least tall enough for you to stand upright in the centre.
In cases where there is limited height, there is no need to despair and lower the floor or rearrange the roof, if possible. However, this comes with its own cost and planning.
Understand the Roof Structure
The type of roof on your home will determine the ease of conversion. Rafter style is also common among older homes, which means there is more open space in the loft area. Prefabricated trusses can be used in newer houses, and they occupy more space and need additional structural effort.
It is always beneficial to identify your roof style early on so that you can influence the design and the level of work to be undertaken.
Assess the Shape and Layout
A well-designed loft must have a sufficient area of usable floor space to make it a comfortable room. Consider the shape of the loft, its ability to accommodate furniture and features of your choice. Curvy walls or inclined ceilings provide design fodder to work around, although the concept might impose restrictions on the room’s usage.
Take some paper and draw a rough plan, imagining how everything would fit—beds, desks, or storage.
Plan for Safe Access
Stairs should be secure, sound, and comply with the building’s criteria. You will also need to consider the positioning of the staircase within your home. Will it be taken off a finished hallway, or will it eat into another room?
The services of a professional should come in handy here because the design of the staircase should not interfere with the loft as well as the floor beneath it.
Know the Legal Requirements
Planning permission is not required several times when loft conversions are done in Beckenham, Orpington, Petts Wood, Sidcup, and Hither Green, especially when the work is only internal. However, if you live in a conservation area or have major works planned, you may need permission.
Want to make your loft into a new and trendy room? Loft Living provides you with skilled planning, design and changeover to suit your space. Contact us today for a complimentary consultation, and let us transform your home as never before: beautiful, safe, and hassle-free.