We Just Love Loft Conversions

Loft conversions

When your family has filled up and squeezed into and made use of every room in the house, you have to make a decision. Do you build an extension move up into the loft or move house? Moving into the loft or loft conversions as they call it is not only cheaper than moving house but when all the costs are brought into the equation you can make money on the deal.

Your loft can increase the usable floor area by up to 30 %, if you haven’t checked out the local neighbours yet, see who has converted the loft into an extra room and take a note of what they have done with roof area. Next take a look into your loft and see the head room and measure the area so you can use the information to ask professionals their opinion.

On costs per metre loft conversions are usually cheaper than building an extension if you keep your costs down and you don’t usually need planning permission. If you are unsure about loft conversions as against building an extension and even moving house, then sit down and work out the numbers involved with each option. This may well take you a large amount of time and you will have to ask an estate agent, a couple of builders and an architect, but at least you will have a better idea of which option to take and then move on.

Planning permission

Loft conversion for your house is accepted as allowed development, and does not need planning permission, but is subject to limits and conditions. You must ask the council for an information leaflet.

Building regulations

Building regulations are such that building regulations apply to the structural alterations of the loft area and also if the loft is turned into a usable room then you must have a permanent staircase.

Insulation and heating

The loft area need to be insulated to a high degree In the summer when it’s very hot and in the winter when it’s very cold, so it’s only the best will do and if you cut corners now you will certainly regret it in the winter. You will also need to plan for hot and cold water and also central heating in the loft area, extending the house system may be too much to bear and you may need a separate system altogether.

Decorating all surfaces

Most building companies do not allow for the painting and decorating of the loft area, and so when the builders have cleaned up and cleared off you will be just starting. First job is to paint the ceiling, first a watered down emulsion to seal the new plaster and then two more coats of a good quality white emulsion. Prime the woodwork, undercoat and a gloss topcoat.

If you are wall papering the walls then you need to seal the new plaster with a weak watery paste and when dry follow the instructions given with the wall paper.

So you know a bit more about Loft conversions and planning permission, I wish you success in your Loft conversion.