It’s true that real estate properties in the UK may be generally increasing in value, but at the same time, they’re also getting smaller. Read on if you want to learn more about how you can further improve your home’s property value, and at the same time utilise your loft room and incorporate it with your living space.
Instead of using your loft for your clutter, did you know that there are things you can do to turn it into a bedroom? While it may sound challenging at first, it really isn’t.
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You Need the Right Ingredients
Before you read on, ask yourself some questions. Realistically speaking, is the space large enough to be turned into a bedroom? What about height? Ian suggests that the loft’s height should be around 2.4 to 2.5 meters for the typical modern trussed roof, the kind that has been produced with factory-made trusses, and approximately 2.2 to 2.4 meters for a cut roof – the traditional roof type.
Aside from the height of the roof, you may also want to take into consideration the roof’s design. The modern roof type can be a little bit complicated to convert as opposed to the conventional ones, since each particular truss has been made and has a specific designation and function in the roof’s structure. If any of these trusses are altered differently, it could result in a domino effect and the roof may eventually collapse. If you’re convinced that you want a loft conversion, make sure that you always get a loft engineer involved in this project no matter what.
Roof Light Roof Conversion
There are three general types: the roof light, mansard, and dormer.
Among the three, the roof light is considered to be the cheapest and the simplest. It doesn’t involve a lot of alterations to your loft space, other than adding some windows within the roof slope area. Just to give you an idea, at Harvey Norman Architects, the usual cost for this is on average between £1,200 and £1,500.
Dormer and Mansard Roof Conversion
A dormer window can be added to almost any property that has a pitched roof. Dormer windows are pretty popular due to their box-like shape. This window projects the existing slope in the roof so that you’ll be given a good amount of headspace, not to mention internal floor space as well. A mansard conversion, on the other hand, requires a complete replacement in terms of both slope’s structures, making them a little bit steeper. As a result, you’ll have an almost flat roof. This roof conversion is often used if the original roof doesn’t have a lot of room or headspace for you to work with.
Do You Need Planning Permission?
Other than mansard roof conversions, both roof light and dormer are both considered to be permitted development. What does this mean? It simply means that there’s no need for you to apply for planning permission. The only time that you’ll need to do so is when you’re planning on doing a mansard roof conversion, not to mention that you won’t be extending your roof space up to 50 cubic meters in height. However, strict rules are also implemented. For instance, you can only use materials which are similar to those in your existing home.
Building Regulations
Building regulations are different from planning permissions. These regulations need approval all the time, regardless if they need, or don’t need planning permissions. These regulations are there to make sure you’re protected and will cover a few aspects such as your floor’s strength, the structure’s stability, stair safety, sound insulation, fire precautions, electric heating systems and many others.
Before you even find someone to build your loft bedroom, make sure that you already have a scheme in place. Getting your design approved before the project begins also means that your builder will be able to provide you with a fixed quotation, rather them doing ballpark estimates.
The way it works is that a building officer will inspect various work stages. On the day of the final inspection, they will then provide a completion certificate. Remember, do not settle final balances until a completion certificate has been issued.
Lighting
When you’re planning on your lighting, you may want to avoid downlight to prevent sun glare. The beauty of loft bedrooms is that they tend to be small, which also means that you don’t need a lot of light for them. According to the senior designer at John Cullen Lighting, Alexandra Fry, the secret is to discreetly hide lighting sources in between shelves, joinery, and skirting.