If you need more space, using your loft space is a great way to do it. There really is something magical about a well-converted loft.
The shape of the room and the quality of the light gives the room a special feel. There really is nothing better than being located at the top of the house away from the hustle and bustle of the bottom floor and with views of the clouds or stars.
However, to get the most out of your loft conversion you need to get the design right. Here we give you some tips to help you to do this.
Building Regulations
Loft conversions are governed by building regulations. For example, your home must be built to take the additional weight of a loft conversion.
There has to be space for proper stairs to your new room. It is no longer enough to have space for a ladder to access your converted roof space. You also need to be aware of the rules governing party walls.
It is also necessary to consider fire safety. The new space needs to be able to withstand fire for 30 minutes, so it has to be finished in the right materials to meet these regulations. You may also need to make some changes to the rooms below your loft space to comply with the fire safety regulations for example re-plastering the ceilings.
Head Space
You need to determine whether your converted roof space will allow you enough head height. There is no point in converting a loft if all you end up with is a narrow strip of usable space.
Bear in mind that the installation of dormer windows makes more of the space usable. Also, the struts in your roof space can, to some extent, be re-configured to make more of your roof usable.
Your Water Tank
In most homes, the water tank is in the loft. If you plan to leave it there, you need to incorporate it into your design.
Natural Light
The light you get in a loft conversion is delightful. You are above the trees and roofline, so there is no light lost to shadow.
It is important to let as much natural light into the room as possible. Doing so will also give you the best view. However, you cannot simply have your whole roof turned into glass.
Insulation
In all houses, a large amount of heat is lost through the roof space. You need to bear this in mind and make sure that the roof space is well insulated. This will also ensure that the room itself does not get uncomfortably hot or cold.
A Final Word
As you can see there is a lot to think about when designing a loft extension.By far the best way to get more out of your loft space is to seek advice from the right source.
We recommend that you speak to a firm of professional loft convertors. They understand the full potential of your loft space. We have seen some great
loft conversions by Bespoke Lofts. They featured on a Channel 4 programme and have been installing new rooms in lofts for over 20 years, so why not speak to them about designing your new rooms in the sky.