Are you short on space in your house? A loft conversion may be the perfect solution for you. Converting your attic into liveable space can give you a lot of extra room to work with. However, before you decide to take the plunge, there are a few things you should consider. The excitement of having more living space in your home should not get in the way of practical considerations. Make sure to check on these five potential problems that may stop you from getting the loft conversion of your dreams.

Are there any Legal Restrictions to Consider Before Planning a Loft Conversion?

The legal restrictions for loft conversions in Sheffield vary depending on the type of house you have, if you want to increase the living space, or if you intend to change the shape and style of the roof. Always work with professional loft builders to figure out the best way to move forward with all necessary permits. In most cases, a loft conversion does not need planning permission if you only intend to change the inside space to something more useful.

Do I have Sufficient Headspace with My Existing Roof Height?

If your roof is too low, you may not have enough headroom to stand up in your new loft space. Luckily, there are several great solutions that your loft builders can offer. For example, a hip to gable renovation can greatly increase the usability of your loft. Take into consideration the space used by the insulation necessary to make a living space comfortable. If your roof is already at or above the minimum height required for a full conversion, you can get busy with the conversion and creating a lovely space to work, live and relax. See below for information on the types of loft conversions we offer:

Loft Conversion Types

Is there an Accessible Staircase to Reach the New Loft?

As storage lofts are a used space in most homes, you undoubtedly have a staircase or ladder leading up there. If you feel the current set up is insufficient for your future use, it is possible to have another set of stairs built or an existing one expanded in many cases. If you are considering converting your loft into a living space, be sure to ask about access and how you will be able to move furniture and yourself in and out.

ansell road sheffield loft conversion 2

Swap an old loft ladder for a beautiful staircase

Will I have to Move My Header Tanks?

Older homes often have their header tanks for water supply and heating right in the middle of the loft or otherwise positioned in the way of your conversion plan. There are two ways to deal with this problem. First, you can call in the plumbers and have the tank moved somewhere more convenient. Second, you could upgrade your entire set up as long as the neighbourhood utilities and water pressure suit an unvented system.

https://www.boilerguide.co.uk/articles/water-tank-loft-replacements-removals

Will this Affect My Neighbour's Property in Any Way?

As long as you understand all local regulations about loft conversions, all you have to do is inform your neighbour of the work and give notice when doing remodelling for the loft. Of course, any neighbour could get frustrated with a construction project right next door. With a professional team like ours, you do not have to worry about irresponsible parking, material handling or safety. Soon, you will be able to invite your neighbour over for a tour of your new loft conversion.

 

For featured image go to: vecteezy.com

Following the 2020 Covid-19 pandemic, many commentators are predicting a crash in house prices here in the UK. To avoid buying at the top of the market, many homeowners are looking to home improvement and investing in a loft conversion or extension rather than moving house.

An extension to an existing property will be the first major expansion for many homeowners, but for those with small gardens or existing extensions, a loft conversion is a preferable option.

If there is a crash in the housing market, investing in your property might be a smart move, especially if you create a place of work in your new living space. By the time prices recover to pre-Covid rates, home working might be the norm and a beautiful home office in the loft could make a big difference to the price of your property.

Will there be a crash in house prices?

It is difficult to say whether there will be a house price crash this year, but looking at how the house prices increased straight after the pandemic coupled with the cost of living soaring, it is very likely this could lead to a price crash and there has never been an economic crash like the one caused by Covid-19, ever.

House prices, like any other kind of price, will always be driven by supply and demand.

The supply of new houses has been stepped up in recent years, in part because house ownership has become a political issue which has seen the government commit to increasing annual production of new housing.

Demand is trickier to nail down because there are so many things which affect it, such as:

The previous economic crash (2008/09) was in part caused by the housing market, particularly uncontrolled speculation therein; this crash is different because much of the economy in the UK stopped for two months, as many people were forced to stay in their homes.

This has had several knock-on effects which have yet to be fully realised in the wider economy:

All of these things could lead to both increases and decreases in property prices, depending on location.

Companies who spend a lot on office space in city centres might decide that they only need to rent half as much office space if more people work from home more of the time. A drastic reduction in the demand for office space could have a knock-on effect for property prices in areas which people would traditionally commute from.

More home-working could lead to a reduction in the demand for houses closer to city centres or their transport connections, which could see increasing demand in suburbs.

Working From Home

Working from home has been a huge driver of change during Covid-19 and this has been underlined in record sales of office equipment and furniture for home use.

There is anecdotal evidence that people spending so much time at home, working or otherwise has driven major changes in their lives, such as:

Setting up a good home office is vital for anyone working full-time from home - we have designed and built many home offices in Sheffield - so we know how important they are to people and what a difference they can make to productivity and happiness.

types of loft conversion

If you are considering a loft conversion, please get in touch and see what we can do for you.

If you would like a rough idea on the cost of having a loft conversion please click on the link below:

Loft Conversion Cost

So, you have a loft space but absolutely no idea what to do with it. A spare bedroom, a guest suite, an office space, a kids room, it’s hard to decide how the space can best be used.

The great thing about converting your loft, however, is that they can be all of those things. Conversions should be considered an investment, as, over time, you can adapt the room to suit your lifestyle as it changes throughout the years.

With that in mind, you’ll need to think about the different features of your space, such as head height, placement of the staircase, what roof you have, and what kind of floor. All this will factor in what type of conversion you can create, along with your budget and planning permission.

In the UK, there are four main types of loft conversions, and we’re going to give you a look into the pros and cons of each one.

Dormer Conversion

Dormer conversions are the most popular. As one of the least expensive, they’re suitable for any home with a sloping roof, creating a box-like shape, that needs minimum change to the house.

Advantages include extra headroom, height, and floor space while leaving the walls straight with flat ceilings. A major benefit of course is the price, as they’re one of the cheaper options, and also more likely to fall under the permitted development.

The only real downside is that aesthetically they are not the most appealing but if it’s practicality you’re after then this could be a perfect choice.

Hip to Gable Conversion

A hip to gable conversion allows you to extend your home. The sloping roof (the hip) is replaced with a vertical wall (the gable) to create more internal space. These are great for attached or terrace end houses with a free sloping side roof.

The greatest benefit is that because it blends into the main house, it is aesthetically attractive and provides extra space. The disadvantage is that it won’t work for mid-terraced houses and falls on the pricier side.

Mansard Conversion

Popular for terraced houses, a mansard conversion is generally built towards the rear of the building, where the wall that you share with your neighbour is raised. The outer wall will slope inwards while the roof stays flat.

A good option if you need more headroom, mansard conversions also offer more light, and work well alongside other properties. However, this does come with a few setbacks, such as a lengthier timeframe, planning permission, and a larger budget.

Roof Light Conversions

The cheapest option of all is a roof light conversion. This requires no roof alterations other than adding in windows and constructing a proper floor that will make the space liveable.

It provides optimum storage space and is likely to be authorised in conservation areas. It is worth noting though that it adds no extra space, and you will need the middle of the room to be 2.25 metres in height. If the windows are at the front, it might need planning permission.

Which Conversion Is Right for You?

 All conversions have pros and cons, so spend some time researching what would best accommodate you and your lifestyle to make the most of the extra space.

 

More information about the types of Loft Conversions Amazing Lofts can offer:

Loft Conversion Types

Are you a bookworm who enjoys losing yourself in the world of books? Then converting your loft into a reading room or personal library could be the perfect haven.

Whether or not you’re a book lover, research has found that reading books reduces your stress levels by 68%, something many of us could benefit from. So even if reading isn’t something that usually interests you, then perhaps incorporating a quiet, designated room in your house could encourage you to slow down your busy day-to-day life.

Loft conversions can provide many different options for extra space, but a library can really offer a place for you to switch off and escape the rest of the house. Alternatively, you could create an office or study room, with a dedicated reading nook, giving you even more value for your money.

Here are some ways to turn your dusty old attic into a fictional wonderland.

Bookcase

You can’t have a library without shelving, so at the top of the list is a bookcase, to store all your much-loved books. Book storage is both practical and aesthetically pleasing, and you can make it completely personal to you.

From modern and minimalist shelving to traditional mahogany furniture, you can store your contemporary coffee table books to your classic antique hardbacks however you like. Why not colour coordinate your bookshelf? Creating your very own library conversion means you can have it custom-made.

Storage

Depending on how you use the space, you can store other miscellaneous household items in the loft. You could invest in furniture that includes built-in seating, keeping the room clutter-free, while still providing storage space away from the main house.

If you’re planning on using your reading room as a study too, then you could store any documents or files you need, keeping everywhere tidy and organised.

Furniture

To fully enjoy a good book, you’ll need a comfy seat! You want the room to be cosy, inviting, and most importantly somewhere you can wind down on a rainy afternoon or at the end of a long day.

A cosy armchair will do the trick, or even a sofa to really stretch out. Perhaps a seat fitted into a sloping wall will create the perfect reading sanctuary for you, like a window seat or a day bed.

Lighting

You don’t want to strain your vision when you’re reading, so make sure you have light to see what you’re reading. If you want to keep it snug and intimate then a reading lamp will illuminate the pages with soft lighting, while also making a nice feature in the room.

Alternatively, if you want a light and airy space then installing skylights into your loft roof will offer natural light, perfect for reading and keeping the room bright and calm.

Colour Scheme

Again, this comes down to personal taste. If you’re wanting to create a tranquil space then simple white walls will work, while neutral and pastel shades will create interest without being distracting. Remember, you want the room to focus purely on reading and resting.

Get Reading

Now you know the basics, you can create the space however you like. All that’s left to do is get reading!

If you’re tight on space and looking to grow your family home, then loft conversions can be a great solution. It’s estimated that for houses with three bedrooms and one bathroom, the value could rise by 20%, if a loft conversion is added.

With extensions taking up garden space, and often on the pricier side, lofts can offer an alternative option. Lofts benefit homes for various reasons, but the common denominator is the space.

While you can simply create one extra room, it doesn’t have to stop there. A popular choice is adding a room and a bathroom, such as a guest room and an ensuite. Perhaps a home gym and a shower room would suit you better. The options are endless and aimed to work around you and your lifestyle.

Of course, there are things to consider. Each home is unique, meaning each potential loft space is different and it’s important to research into what your conversion requires.

Plan Ahead

Lifestyle choices

What is your conversion for and how does it fit into your lifestyle? If you’re converting your loft to accommodate for independent personal space, such as grown-up children returning from university, or elderly parents who need extra care, then it could be worth investing in a whole floor. Depending on the size, you could create a bedroom and bathroom, with space for a sofa or table for example.

On the contrary, if you use the space for work or recreational reasons, such as an art studio, yoga space, or home office, then maybe you should make the most of that whole room rather than separating it. Open plan living quarters could take the same approach.

Design and Structure 

Although you may have a layout in mind, it’s important to understand the structure of your roof. Is there going to be enough room to stand up without banging your head? If not, then maybe the space would be better used as a kid’s playroom or bedroom.

Necessities

If you are thinking of incorporating a bathroom, then the roof space needs to be considered. There should be room for a plumbing system, heating, and water tanks. The same applies to a standard room when you take into account insulation and electrics

Headroom

You will need to have 2.2m minimum of space for the conversion to work, as you will need to think about the headroom for a staircase. Although this problem can be overcome, the solutions will be more expensive.

Flooring

When we think of loft conversions, we focus on the roof, but we also need to think about the floor too. We’ve thought about the staircase at the top, but what about the bottom? You need to think about how much space a staircase is going to take up and if you’re happy to make that compromise.

Once the initial research is put into place, you can then let your imagination run wild, creating the dream space to enjoy for years to come.

There’s a lot to think about when you plan a loft conversion. Along with planning permission, designing the exterior and interior, one of the most important things is fire safety.

Most fires that occur could have been prevented with fire alarms and proper fire safety. Although it’s not something we want to think about, fire safety could literally save lives. The same rules apply to the rest of your house, so there’s no reason why you shouldn’t do the same to your loft conversion.

Here’s a short guide on how you can take fire precautions and follow the legal regulations when constructing your conversion.

Fire Alarms

The best chance of escaping a fire is by having a fire system in place. Fire alarms are compulsory in homes, and it’s wise to have an alarm in each room of the house. Mains-powered smoke alarms are usually found in hallways and landings. The alarms need to all be linked together, so that even if only one alarm is triggered, all the alarms go off in the house, to alert people in different rooms, such as the loft.

Even though the alarms must run on mains, you should also have batteries available in case there’s a power cut in your property.

Escape Route

While you can technically escape through a window, this isn’t recommended. Accommodating an escape route from the loft to the entire stairwell is very important. This means the staircase should include plaster boarding and plastering below, allowing for a 30 minute protection time. The ceilings and floors can also be plastered.

A sprinkler or mister system can be used if you don’t want to enclose the open stairwell. If a window really is the only option you have, then make sure the window opens to at least 450mm, and the glass is fire-resistant.

Fire Containment

Depending on the structure of your home, party walls, which are situated between you and your neighbour, must be made fire-resistant in the loft. Extensions, such as dormers, need to be fire-resistant, including the neigbours side, to prevent the fire from spreading across multiple properties. Containing the fire in one place will reduce the risk of it spreading and damaging further.

Fire Doors

Another important change to make when converting your loft, is to change the existing door into a fire door, to protect the hallway. The main reason for installing fire doors is to create a corridor between the loft and the external door, providing a safe escape route for anyone in the loft.

A fire-resistant door should have a rating of 20-30 minutes protection time minimum, giving the person time to escape if they are in that circumstance. If you don’t want to change your door, for instance, if it’s old or vintage, then you can actually use intumescent materials to paint the doors, essentially using fire-resistant materials.

Follow the Rules

It’s important to remember, that although these rules feel overwhelming to add your already long to-do list, they are only there for your own safety. Alongside helping you get planning permission, following the regulations properly will protect you and your family in the worst case scenario.

If you are wondering how to board a loft, you have come to the right place because we just happen to be experts at it.

There is more than one way to board a loft, but before you get started, there are a few things to consider:

What is your loft going to be used for?

If you only plan to use your loft as storage space, you might be forgiven for thinking that you can board your loft however you like, but that is not the case.

If the loft of your property has never been boarded or converted before it is likely to be significantly more exposed to the elements than the rest of your house. There are likely to be gaps between the eaves of the roof and the wall which will allow air in from the outside – this is quite normal but it does mean that anything you store in your loft has a chance to get damp, dirty and or smelly.

Provided there is enough airflow in your lofts space it should not get mouldy, but there might be pockets of the loft space which are better ventilated than others.

If you plan to use the loft space to make a proper room in your loft then you will need to put a lot more thought into boarding it out, particularly when it comes to insulation.

What Type of Insulation Do You Have and Where is it?

If you have a virgin loft space there is a good chance that you will have rolls of thick fluffy insulation (rockwool or similar) laid horizontally between the joists.

This insulation is likely to be deeper than the joists which make up the floor of the loft, so if you want to lay new boards to make a floor you have a few options:

If you remove or squash the existing insulation you will compromise the energy efficiency of your house and make it much less comfortable.

Insulating between the rafters will help to alleviate this, but having reduced insulation between the existing top floor and the loft will mean that both sound and heat travel between the two more than they should do.

What type of material are you going to use to board the loft with?

Typical loft boards can be made of:

Plywood is usually stiffer and stronger than a OSB or ship board but it is also more expensive.

There are lots of home improvements you can consider as investments because they will either pay for themselves overtime or increase the value of the property itself, here are ten of the best: 

  1. Get a loft conversion 
  1. Build an extension 
  1. Install solar panels 
  1. Get a new front door 
  1. Install new windows 
  1. Get a new heating system 
  1. Install a water softener 
  1. Get cavity insulation 
  1. Fit a new kitchen / Bathroom 
  1. Get a garden building 

1 A Loft Conversion 

A loft conversion will add extra living space to your home and increase it’s value. 

You can add even more value by including extra features such as Juliet / window balconies and extending the usable space with dormers. 

By creating an extra floor on your property, a loft conversion offers something quite unique and unmatched by anything else in this list.  

2 Build an Extension 

Extensions can be an excellent way to increase the value of your home and can offer a better return on investment than a basement or loft conversion. 

Getting an extension to your home offers almost unrivalled flexibility in terms of scope and scale which will only be limited by: 

Much like loft conversions, extensions can be very capital intensive and are likely to be several tens of thousands of pounds for starters. 

3 Install Solar Panels 

Solar Panels have a double benefit which will add value to your home: 

  1. They reduce your electricity bills 
  1. They generate income 

A typical home in the UK with solar panels will can see a 50% reduction in their electricity bill and a rebate of as much as £1,000 per year from solar panels. 

These figures could go up or down depending on the time of year, the size of your roof and electrical prices / subsidies. 

4 Get a New Front Door 

This might seem like an odd one, but an old timber front door can terrible source of heat loss for a home 

Replacing your old front door is an investment that could pay for itself in a couple of years on heating bills alone, but more than that it is the first part of the house any guest (or buyer) has with your home. 

5 Install New Windows 

Installing new windows in your home will take a long time to pay for itself in terms of savings on heating, but it can add value to your home if your existing windows are in poor condition. 

Most UK homes are expected to have doble glazed windows as a minimum, so if your windows are single glazed, damaged, or tired it will be seen as ‘something which needs to be done’ in any kind of valuation scenario. 

6 Upgrade Your Heating 

There are two potential avenues to explore with heating, depending on how much other renovation you are planning to do. 

Getting a new boiler and / or radiators is likely to save you money because the advances in technology mean that your 10-20 year old system is likely to be much less efficient than modern systems which can be bought today. 

If you are doing some serious renovation it may also be worth considering underfloor heating as it removes the need for radiators in rooms and is very desirable to potential buyers. 

Install a Water Softener 

This is something will either be useful or not at all, deepening on if you live in a hard water area or not. 

Hard water will leave white stains on plates, glasses, cutlery baths, showers, sinks and also drastically reduce the life of appliances such as: 

Water softening systems are not cheap but they are likely to pay for themselves by extending the life of your appliances. 

Cavity Insulation  

Cavity Insulation can make a big difference to the feel of a house in Winter and will save you money in the long run. 

Insulation for walls and lofts can often be obtained for free thanks to government grants, so if you don’t have it already you should really get it done. 

9 Fit a New Kitchen or Bathroom 

If you are looking to increase the value of a property, kitchens and bathrooms are some of the most important items on the list. 

This is particularly true if you live in an area with a lot of similar sized houses – if there are lots of 3-bed semis in your area, you make yours more valuable than the going rate by having a better-than-average kitchen and bathroom. 

10 Get a garden building 

Like an extension, only cheaper! A garden building is essentially a fancy shed which aren’t usually designed to be ‘lived in’ as such, but provide additional space for certain activities. 

Typical uses for garden buildings are gyms, offices and workshops. 

The only downside to garden buildings is that they don’t last as long as a proper extension and you might find that you will need to replace it after 10-15 years. 

There are lots of things to choose from when having a loft conversion; here are some of the typical choices our clients have to think about: 

Type of Loft Conversion 

The type of loft conversion will usually be determined partly by the existing property and also by the budget of the client. 

There are four main types of loft conversion which you can read about in detail here <LINK TO OTHER PAGE> but in summary they are: 

A hip-to-gable loft conversion can only be performed on a roof with hips, which is commonly semi-detached and detached houses. 

Roof light conversions are the cheapest but yield the least usable space of all the options.  

Dormer are the most popular type of loft conversion and can be used in conjunction with roof lights and hip-to-gable conversions.  

Room Layout 

For smaller conversions, there may only be space for one room and there may only be one sensible location for the new staircase to go, but for bigger conversions, there are more options. 

A large roof space with a loft conversion could accommodate possibly two bedrooms or a single large bedroom with an en suite. 

Unless a mansard conversion is chosen, the room(s) will have sloping walls on at least one side which may affect where you choose to have certain features, such as windows and doors. 

Windows 

The size and number of windows in a loft conversion will have a big impact on how the room(s) feel and look. A space with lots of natural light will be more appealing to be in than a badly lit one.  

Loft extensions with dormers, gables or mansards can have traditional windows in them, whereas the pitched roofs can have roof light style windows.  

Having pitched roofs doesn't have to limit you to having small windows - it is possible to get quite large roof lights and even extra-long ones which turn into mini balconies. 

Balconies 

A balcony is a very attractive feature for any loft conversion and there are several ways of doing it: 

Having a balcony can completely change the feel and usage of a room, even if it is only a Juliet balcony. 

Interior Design 

The internal fittings and finishes of a loft conversion will vary depending on what the final use for it is intended to be. Bedrooms are more likely to have carpet and tiled bathrooms, whereas gyms or offices might suit a wooden floor.  

There are a host of other items to consider, such as: 

Here are Amazing Lofts we can help you with all of these things and more, so please give us a call about your project today! 

 

After a very different year than any of us expected, and with more available time to watch vast amounts of youtube videos you might be considering a very adventurous challenge to design and build your own loft room. You've gained the skills from Youtube so why not. Loft Conversions can be technically challenging projects which should only be attempted by people with significant experience in building/construction. 

If you do decide to build a loft conversion yourself, there are a lot of things to consider once you start construction, such as: 

Demolition  

Whilst you might not be demolishing your roof entirely, there will almost always be material to be removed from the roof structure to create the additional living space. Any material removed is considered to be waste, which needs to be disposed of correctly, usually via a skip, provided by a licensed waste carrier. 

If you don't have space for a skip on your land you may have to acquire/pay for a separate license for a permit to put it in the road.  

Anything you remove from your roof also needs to find its' way into the skip safely. That means you can't throw things off the roof into a skip at street level, you need to have a chute or other safe means of getting the waste into the skip.  

Throwing things from a high level into a skip is known as 'bombing' and is severely frowned upon by local authority building control and the Health and Safety executive, both of whom can shut down your project if they catch you doing it. 

Scaffolding and Access 

You will need scaffolding of some description to access the outside of your roof safely. 

There are proprietary scaffolding kits available to buy or hire which don't need specialist training to erect, but they tend to limited to set lengths and heights.  

If you feel you need a traditional tube and fit scaffolding, get a professional scaffolding company to erect it. 

Temporary Weather Protection 

Weather Protection of some description will be required during your loft conversion to prevent the elements damaging your property. If the roof will be open for long period, it may be prudent to have a scaffold which spans over the top of the house and completely envelopes the roof. 

Temporary Structural Support 

Forming the living space in your loft conversion will usually require removal or modification of the rafters, which are holding your roof up. Depending on how the roof is constructed, you may need to support the roof or beams within it temporarily while the work is carried out. 

You should seek the advice of a structural engineer before cutting or otherwise modifying any structural beams / rafters within your loft. 

Structural Roof Timbers 

As mentioned above, the timbers within your roof are structural, not decorative.  

Timber used for structural purposes will have been designed to do a certain job and will have been specified as needing to be a certain thickness and strength. These timbers should be 'stress graded' because a sample of each batch of timber will be tested to prove its strength. 

Stress graded timber is more expensive than regular timber because it usually comes from stronger trees and the testing process wastes some timber as well as having a cost itself. The price of timber generally has risen steeply over the last few years, so prepare to spend big on timber. 

Staircases 

The staircase into you loft conversion can be problematic for several reasons: 

Staircases can be tricky to build and will bring disruption into your everyday living space while they are being built. In many properties the staircase has to go above an existing landing and stairs, which can make access to it problematic.  

None of these problems are show-stoppers, but they do need planning for and managing. 

We offer a complete service of design and build from start to finish for your loft conversion, we are the experts in our field, and we manage everything so you can relax and look forward to your new living space. 

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