Last time out, we looked at home extensions. In this article we will look at Loft Conversions specifically as a way to add space to your home.

According to a Guardian survey, on average, a loft conversion costs £10,000 and adds £20,000 to the value of your home.

Considering this, you might be surprised to learn that of the 60% of homes with a loft, only 2% have loft conversions.

So with some planning, design and high-quality carpentry, you can create excellent space in your loft which will add value to your home.

5 Types of Loft Conversion

Velux Conversion

This type of conversion is probably one of the cheapest to use, it’s main purpose is to create as much light as possible to come into your loft space. You use the Velux windows on your existing roof, opening a hole and fixing the window directly to your roofs rafters, and then the window is weathered in. It is also beneficial to the structure of your roof as not many structural changes are needed to add a Velux window to your loft conversion.

Dorma Conversion

A dorma conversion is a popular and excellent way to increase walking space to your loft conversion by extending out your existing roof. It is built out further to your outer walls, thus creating more room in your loft. This style of conversion is suited to a total loft conversion where as you would be putting extra rooms in your home with a complete finish to maximise usage of space in your property.

Mansard Conversion

Mansard conversions are one of the largest loft conversions you can have on your property. It totally maximises the space in your loft from one gable wall to the other gable. Mansard conversions have two slopes, one slope comes down at a shallow angle from the ridge line of the roof, and next slopes down virtually in line with the outside wall of the house, thus maximising space. It has the same effect of a dorma conversion except that it usually carries across your whole roof.

Hip to Gable Conversions

A hip to gable conversion literally means that you convert a hip end of a house into a gable end, which means you can maximise the space of that part of your loft conversion. This type of conversion usually needs a fairly big change to the structure of the roof as you are removing one style of roof, and replacing it with another style. But in doing this you can create enough space to add extra rooms if need be.

Regulations of Conversions

To begin with its a good idea to see if your property is able to have a loft conversion installed. A good check of this is to see how much head height you have in your loft, the general rule is that you must have a finished floor to ceiling height of 2.3 metres, allowing for the floor joists to be installed and to take into account that your ceiling may well be dropped.

One of the main considerations for loft conversions is the fire regulations. With this in mind a loft conversion must have escape windows set in place in case of an emergency. And as alot of loft conversions nowdays have dormas set in them, the dormas themselves must at least hold a half an hour fire restraint on it. Livable spaces in conversions tend to have fire doors, the only places where a fire door is not needed are wet rooms, such as bathrooms and toilets.

Uses of a Loft Conversion

Loft conversions can be handy for many applications: adding bedrooms, studies, playrooms, etc.

Any professional carpenter, experienced in loft conversions, will help you figure out the best application of space for your property. For example, you may have a two bedroom bungalow and need another bedroom to accommodate a new addition to the family. Your first thought might be to move to a 3 bedroom house. But have you considered, it will probably be cheaper and easier to add an addition room to your existing home by converting the loft?

If you’re currently having similar thoughts about your home, please get in touch. Loft conversions are second nature to us, and we’d love to discuss our ideas with you.