When you need extra space to accommodate a growing family or you’ve just outgrown the space in your home and need another room, extending into a loft with an attic conversion can be an ideal solution. There are a number of considerations you should bear in mind however when planning your loft conversion so you can ensure your builders can give you the additional living space you want.

Things to consider:

1. Dorma or Velux windows
2. Reinforcing the floor
3. Thermal insulation
4. Types of staircase
5. Staircase position
6. Separate storage area or built in cupboards
7. Power point and plug socket locations
8. Suitable lighting and light fittings

Allowing as much natural light into your new loft conversion is important and there are a couple of options available to you. Dormas can be useful for providing extra headroom in your loft room and can often be made up of various sized windows. The frames are available, as with all windows, in wood or uPVC and can be double or triple glazed. The exterior of your dorma can be clad in a number of different materials to match the style of your home.

Velux windows are an alternative to installing a dorma, and are a less expensive option because they are quicker and easier to install. Less of your roof needs to be removed, although you don’t get the benefit of additional headroom that dormas provide. Another bonus is that houses in conservation areas are still likely to be able to have a velux window installed whereas dormas are more likely to require planning permission which may not be granted in a protected area.

In order to use your attic for a room, you may need to reinforce the floor of your loft to ensure it can bear weight of general use. This is an important step that you should consult a professional trades person about.

Insulation is an important part of your attic conversion so you can make your home more energy efficient and reduce the amount of heat being emitted from your home. There are a number of different types of insulation available, including environmentally friendly content such as sheep’s wool, hemp and recycled plastic bottles, ultra thin insulation sheeting and blown insulation which has to be installed by a professional.

Other interior considerations are affected by what you will be using the room for, including the number and location of plug sockets in the loft room, the location of lighting and types of light fittings you will require and whether you wish to maintain storage areas within your loft. Depending on the size of your attic space to begin with and the amount of storage space you require, it may be useful to partition an area of the loft as a specific storage space. Alternatively custom made cupboard could be built into the eaves of the house, using space more efficiently that may otherwise have been wasted.

A final consideration that your builder or carpenter would be able to advise you about is the position and style of staircase best suited to your loft conversion and the layout of your home. You could choose a spiral staircase or a wood staircase, but the main thing it to ensure you have maximum usage of the floor space in your loft and that the room or space sacrificed on the floor below is also used most efficiently.

So if you’re planning a loft or attic conversion, contact localtraders.com today and we can put you in touch with reputable tradespeople in your area who can help you plan your ideal attic conversion.

Related posts:

1. Different Options When Considering a Loft Conversion
2. Reinforcing Roof Joists to Support a Loft Conversion
3. Creating Additional Living Accommodation: Garage Conversions
4. Different Types of Dormer Windows and When to Use Them
5. Move House or Build an Extension? The Quest for More Space