We all love an attic, space to store memories, a place that is full of hidden treasures. Or is it just a collection of stuff that we don’t need, want or use?
There is a lot of potential in a loft space that doesn’t include spiders webs and broken toys from a bygone era. That space could be a whole other room or rooms depending on the size of your attic. Adding an extra level to your home and breathing new life where previously only dust existed.
As families grow and house prices soar, we are finding more and more that people would rather improve their existing home than go through the hassle of moving. Whether you are considering updating your kitchen, extending your home or converting your loft into a useable useful space, we understand how daunting this can feel.
So we, at Precision Builders have put together a few helpful things to consider when thinking about converting your loft space.
1. Increase Your Living Space
Whether you have an expanding young family or your children are growing into teens, an extra room can be hugely beneficial. Lack of space is the biggest reason that homeowners chose to move house. But with the potential to expand upwards into an unused space could easily negate that need.
If you have considered an extension or conservatory, then you are probably aware that there is a bit more time and planning involved in these options. A loft conversion is fairly quick and easy to transform as well as usually being a straight forward task that rarely requires any planning permission.
Of course, the biggest advantage is that you already have the space in your home, it is just currently not being utilised to the best of its capability. Plus by converting your loft space, you are not taking any space from the outside of your property and having to give up some of your garden areas.
2. Planning Permission
This brings us neatly onto the second point. Often if you wish to extend your home, you will need planning permission to do so. You will at least require neighbour consent. The advantage of loft conversions is that they very rarely need planning permission. The only exception to this would be if a complete change to the appearance of your home was required or you live in a listed building or an area of conservation.
Gaining planning permission will cost you extra money and there is also a time factor involved. Plus you may spend the money on planning permission only to be denied. A loft conversion negates both the time and the costs involved in this process.
3. Increase The Value of Your Home
Not only does a loft conversion increase your living space, but it also increases the value of your home. If you decided to sell later down the line, you could find that the loft conversion has added a whopping 20% to the value of your property. This makes it a sound investment.
The property market is highly competitive and potential buyers are always on the lookout for additional features that add the wow factor. A loft conversion gives your home an additional selling point that will appeal to a lot of people and is more likely to encourage them to come and view your property.
4. Energy Efficiency
Surprisingly a loft conversion is relatively energy efficient. A loft that has had large windows installed for example would benefit from using natural lighting far longer than other rooms in the house. This is because the light is not being blocked by any external influences in the same way as regular rooms in the house. Even gloomy winter days are far brighter in the attic rooms.
Your roof will be insulated which means that the hot air will not only rise from the floors below, helping to heat the room during the winter months, but it will also prevent that warm air from escaping.
The hot air in the summer months will also be reduced from filtering in through the roof by this insulation. This means that the attic room will be far cooler, than the current loft space is, during those hot summer days.
5. A New View
With a lot of us living in fairly built-up areas these days, we often find that we are looking out on an obscured landscape. Staring either at the neighbours’ house or some other building rather than having a clear view of the countryside or across the sea.
The windows in a loft conversion can be quite large and looking out above existing properties giving you a more clear view of the landscape. Or what about a bit of stargazing through your newly fitted loft windows? You now have access to the night sky from the comfort of your own home.
6. Plenty of Styles
With so many options available when converting a loft space, we know that you will find one that suits your needs perfectly. Whether you choose dormer windows or Velux or if you need a hip to gable conversion due to the size of the roof space, we can fit them all.
Your new room could be a bedroom with an ensuite, a playroom for the kids or an office space. Whatever you choose to use the room for, we will work with you to ensure you get the best fit for your needs.
In Conclusion
A loft conversion is a quick and easy solution to creating more space when needed without impacting on your existing grounds. The space can be divided up and used as a multifunctional area, or you may just wish to create a specific room.
It can be a lot less hassle and a lot cheaper to have your loft converted than moving house. Plus it is a great reason to have a good de-clutter and you may even find some hidden treasures in that loft space after all.
Are you interested in getting some more information on converting your loft space? For a free, no-obligation quote, why not contact one of our friendly staff today on 01452 504525.
