Loft conversions are one of the most effective ways of gaining more living space – and since it’s an issue many homeowners are very interested in, it’s not really a surprise that it’s a solution that’s quickly becoming incredibly popular. But while turning your attic into a beautiful loft might seem to be quite a straightforward task, it requires careful planning and preparations if you want to do it right. So what are the most important things to keep in mind when converting a loft?
Do you need planning permission?
Now, it’s one of the most important questions, but, unfortunately, it’s also one that doesn’t have a clear answer. Because the truth is that whether you need planning permission or not depends on the circumstances and the extent of the construction work involved. In short, you need to check whether the type of loft conversion you’re after is covered by the permitted development rights. In general, if there are no changes to the structure of the roof or building planned, you most likely won’t be required to apply for permission. But keep in mind that there are exceptions to this rule, for example, in the case of buildings located in Conservation Areas. That’s why, just to be safe, it’s always best to consult with your local planning authority and check what is expected of you.
Find the right windows for your loft
A loft conversion is a chance of gaining additional living space that you can turn into a cosy living room or a comfortable bedroom or two. But that’s not its only benefit. In reality, loft conversions are popular even among people who don’t need more rooms – why is that? It’s really rather simple, since your loft is located directly underneath the roof, with a simple addition of roof windows, you can transform such a space into a beautiful room filled with sunlight! But in order to design the loft conversion of your dreams, choosing the right windows is incredibly important. Remember that there are different types of roof windows available on the market, and among them you’ll find windows like https://sunluxroofwindows.co.uk/249-pitched-roof-windows – pitched roof windows perfect for loft conversions!
Loft access – what are your options?
Turning your attic into a spacious loft is one thing, but you should also remember that you need to be able to comfortably access your newly created space. And while it’s perfectly fine to have a folding ladder installed as a way of accessing an attic that serves as a storage space, if you want it to serve as a habitable room, you’re required by the building regulations to have a fixed staircase leading to it. The same regulations are quite specific about the requirements your new staircase has to meet, so don’t start your conversion without including this element – excluding it from your design plan may end up unnecessarily complicating your entire project. Plus, a staircase will actually take some of the floor area you have available in your loft, so it’s impossible to create a functional layout without considering its placement.
But, of course, designing a loft conversion is not just about practicality, it’s also about making sure that the newest part of your home is beautiful and comfortable. So now that all the renovation work is over, it’s time to turn your interior design plan into reality! Due to the structure of your loft and the slope of the roof, it might be more complicated than you think, so in order to create a functional layout, you’ll have to use your creativity. But the results you can achieve are definitely worth all the hard work!
