With the costs of moving homes adding up to many thousand pounds, a great deal of families are gradually opting to move up instead of moving on. Although converting your attic is a job meant for professionals, the truth is that doing it right will not only give you a fabulous well-lit space but also receive a handsome return on your investment when you place your house for sale. Home experts claim that a mere loft extension is capable of giving your house a fifteen percent increase in value. Loft conversion is not a task that one should just venture in blindly. This is because of the fact that a lot of planning is required and getting it wrong can see you lose a lot not only in terms of money but also the aesthetic value of your home.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Is Your Attic Suitable For Conversion?

Prior to engaging in an attic conversion, it is important to carry out an evaluation on the attic’s suitability for conversion. In this case, a conversion assessment on the loft must be done. Some of the features that decide how suitable your roof space is for conversion include the type of structure, pitch and head height. In addition, some other aspects such as obstacles like chimney stacks and water tanks should also be identified. A thorough inspection of the roof space is going to reveal its physical and structural dimensions.

The easiest way to tell that your attic is suitable for conversion is seeing whether it is possible for you to stand upright in the loft’s highest position which should not be less than 2.3 meters high. This measurement should be taken from the foot of the ridge timber to the peak of the ceiling joist, which makes up the usable part of the roof. Even when you can still stand in an upright position, having a dormer window extension can greatly maximize the headroom throughout the entire space.

If the loft assessment reveals a roof height less than 2.3 meters, some measures may have to be taken so as to provide solutions for the low head height. One solution to this problem can be raising the roof. This means that the existing roof will be removed completely and then rebuilt so as to give the required structure and height. Despite being structurally feasible, it can involve huge costs. A scaffold structure is required to protect the house from rain in the course of the work will be needed. Alternatively, if the head height is limited, the ceiling of the room below can be lowered to provide more space.

 

A discussion on the costs of converting your attic can be found here - Attic Conversion Costs Considerations and here How Much Does An Attic Conversion Cost.

 

You may also wish to organise an onsite assessment with a fully qualified attic conversion expert in your area.