Many people, once they find themselves in a need of additional living space, decide to move house. But there’s often a simpler, cheaper solution available, which is converting an attic into a spacious new room.
There’s absolutely no reason to let such space go to waste as storage for all the things we might possibly need one day when it can be much better used to increase the comfort level of your home. In order to achieve the perfect final result of your conversion, there are a number of things you need to keep in mind.
Types Of Loft Conversions
When it comes to loft conversions, the first thing you need to consider is what alterations your roof structure allows. If you have enough headspace available, a simple internal conversion will be a great, cost-effective option. This way, you’ll be able to focus more on the interior design, as windows will be easily integrated into your existing roof, without the need for extensive construction work.
However, if you’d prefer to gain additional space, a dormer loft conversion might be the right way to go. A bit more work will have to be done and it’ll raise the costs, but what you’ll get in exchange will result in much more space to adapt to your needs.
The Perfect Windows
Converting a loft is all about bringing the maximum amount of daylight into the room, which is why choosing the right windows is so essential. This choice will depend not only on the conversion type but also on the pitch of the roof. There are different types of skylights for a pitched roof and for a flat roof.
An important part of the decision-making process is consulting the building plans on whether or not you can make any alterations to the particular parts of the roof. If you don’t think roof windows are optimal in your case, you may want to check the sun tunnels available on the market. It’s a great way to bring light in even to the darkest corners of the room, without occupying much roof space.
Maximize The Influx Of Daylight
While the right skylights will allow light to enter your house, their placement is an equally important factor in this regard. Maximising the influx of sunlight may significantly lower the need for using artificial light, thus letting you save some money on the bills. Consider which side of the roof gets the most sunshine. Placing your window there will let you enjoy natural light during the day. If there’s any unused roof space available, the option of transforming it into a terrace might be worth exploring. Together with big, floor-to-ceiling windows, it would create an amazing spot to relax on a sunny afternoon.
Take Care Of The Temperature
Attic space can get really stuffy during the hot summer months. If you have a ventilation system installed in your house, this is not really a problem you need to be bothered about, but if that’s not the case, it’s better to implement solutions which will help you survive the heat. Some of them, such as proper insulation, have to be applied during the window installation process. This will not only help you keep the attic cool during the summer, but also prevent warmth from getting out during winter. If your windows are supposed to be the main source of ventilation in the room, make sure that they are easily accessible and their opening options allow for steady airflow.
Choose The Stairs
If you’re converting your loft into a space that’s to be used daily by you and your family, there must be a comfortable way of getting there. Stairs will probably serve this purpose better than a ladder, but they can take up a lot of space. They can, however, be used as an interesting added feature to the design of your house.
You can choose to use a decorative railing to highlight the character of the room or a glass one which will not obstruct the light. There are also different options for utilizing the space below the staircase. You may, for example, decide on using it to create a bookcase or an additional storage room.
Of course, when deciding on the details of Converting an Attic, a lot will depend on the intended purpose of the new space. Even though most people choose to use it as another bedroom, there is no reason why such a sun-filled space couldn’t serve as a living room or a kitchen. Carefully consider what exactly it is that you want to achieve because the most important thing a loft conversion can give you is an increased quality of life.
