Amy & Aron's

If you are lacking space in your home, you may have considered getting a loft conversion in order to add an extra room. Transforming your loft can add a lot of value to your home, as well as making it a better space for your family to use. Here are some things to consider before upgrading your loft.



Adding Extra Stairs

Converting the loft is about more than adding an extra room, you will need to add an extra staircase if you want it to be a proper room. Many people struggle with this part of getting a loft conversion because they are unsure where to put the stairs in. One of the easiest places to place them is over the existing stairs but your builder and architect can advise you on the best placement for them. There are plenty of design options to choose from, including compact stairs. These are not to everyone's liking because they can be steeper and narrower. They also need to be building code compliant so make sure you check that they are before installing them.

Changing the Insulation

If you have ever been in your loft, you will have noticed the fluffy insulation that rests between the beams. Because you will be changing this space into a functioning room, you will need to ensure that the insulation is correct. This is to make sure that the room doesn’t get too cold in the winter. By using professional spray foam insulation contractors you can fully insulate space properly so it can be used all year round.

Head Height

As wonderful as it may be to have that extra room, you need to ask yourself, is the loft big enough? Having a loft as an extra room will be pointless if nobody can stand up in it. If you were planning on using the space as an area for your kids, they might be short enough to stand at full height now, but what about in a few years? If you stand in your loft and can’t stand up straight, you may need to reconsider using it as an extra room. However, you could still upgrade the space to be a storage area for items that you want to keep clean and dry.

Light

Having light is more than just running some wiring up there for the bulbs, but that is something that will need to be done too. Lightbulbs and switches can be used as features or recessed into the ceiling to create a streamlined look. If you will be using this as a room, you will need to install windows. Natural light is a huge factor for any room. But, because you are installing new windows, you can choose everything from the placement to the style. You could consider windows that sit flush with the roof, or add a window that pops out to create a feature on the outside. There are certain building regulations that need to be followed but your builder can advise of these.