Loft Creations

For many of us the latter is the most preferred option. The thought of moving can be daunting, especially when you start to consider the hassle and extra costs involved. Expanding the house is usually a much cheaper option and you can really control the amount of expense going in to your expansion if you consider the following options.

A loft space for the majority is simply a place for storage and clutter. However, if your loft has at least 2.2 metres of head height (at the tallest point of the loft) then you could easily convert this in to a habitable space for that extra room you need. Here are several reasons why a loft conversion can be a valuable investment to your property.

The Nationwide study also shows that increasing floor space by a tenth can add 5% to average values, so a loft conversion for additional living space can also bring a rise in value.

Robert Gardner, the building society’s chief economist, pointed out that more usable space is seen as consistent with better quality accommodation, and this is something that people are willing to pay for.

However, as fuel bills continue to rise there is an increased emphasis on energy efficiency, so homeowners who opt for attic conversions must ensure their new room is well insulated.

A Communities and Local Government report estimates that more than 19 million properties – 86% of UK stock – could benefit from at least one energy efficiency measure. An attic conversion is the ideal time to assess the insulation in wall cavities and the roof, and upgrading it at the same time makes good sense.

All this clearly shows how an attic conversion can be beneficial both now, while still in your home, and in the future when you decide to sell up. Of course, there are rules and regulations that must be met when an attic conversion is carried out so it is wise to bring in an expert team to look after the whole planning and building process. This will also take away as much of the stress as possible.

Why insulate?

Quite aside from the legal requirement – the importance of insulation in a loft conversion is threefold. • Insulation can be used to provide an even temperature in your home – keeping it cool in the summer and warm in the winter. • Insulation will also allow you to reduce the amount of heating you need to use, reducing your bills and making the payback time lower. • Insulation is also needed to reduce sound coming from the loft and going into other parts of the house and even to your neighbours.

Sound insulation

Any loft conversion which is built in a terrace or semi-detached property will need to adhere to the same standards as already exist between other floors of the house. Your current loft will be unlikely to meet these standards, so you will need to add insulation to the floor of your loft to meet requirements.

Building regulations

The Building Regulations Authority issue builders and homeowners with Approved Documents which state what levels of insulation are required for a loft conversion. These will apply to the new rooms, but the rest of your home does not need to comply. The following points should be considered:

• An air gap of at least 50mm is required between any pitched roof and the insulation which is fitted. This will ensure adequate ventilation. • Roof vents should also be added to the ridge at least equal to a 5mm strip – this should be free of insulation. • All walls, roof slopes and ceilings need to meet certain “U” values. The minimum “U” value is .20 to .35 depending on the structure, whether it is part of the existing home or an extension and if it is a window or roof-light. • It is recommended that the loft is constructed and insulated in such a way as to avoid cold spots such as where edges meet, under doors and around windows.

Building regulations do allow some lee-way where it is not technically feasible to install insulation to the depth required. This may be due to limited head height or because of the current construction methods. However, any new part (such as a dormer) will need to fully comply.

This award-winning method for converting loft spaces in modern properties that often have roof trusses allows homeowners to make the most of their attic space and ensure they have enough room for everyone who lives in their home.

It is the first completely pre-fabricated, bespoke and adaptable system that can be used on many roof spans and pitches. Even if you have a traditional 'cut' roof where there are difficulties with floor and roof support, the Telebeam loft system can be used.

This type of loft conversion uses very strong yet lightweight telescopic aluminium beams, which work with the trusses to provide additional support for both floor and roof. This means that the additional requirements can be met without excessive additional tonnage on the structure.

Furthermore, beams have Local Authority Building Control Registered Systems approval, which usually does away with the need for structural calculations, meaning no engineer's fees.

And there is no need to set up a crane in your garden - the beams can easily be handled by the expert fitters.

Some of the main benefits of the Telebeam loft conversion system include:

• No gable wall holes, padstones, heavy steels, fabrication or "making good"  • Installation in just one or two days  • Can often be installed from one side of the roof  • Minimal headroom loss in your new room  • Loads are spread evenly so can be used in timber frame roofs  • Easy access to eaves storage and soil vent pipes drainage

Whatever type of property you have you can find out about a loft conversion and make the most of the space you have. A truss roof does not rule out a conversion thanks to the Telebeam system, and it makes this type of home improvement much quicker and simpler to carry out.

     Dormer

A dormer style conversion extends the existing roof to create extra headroom and additional usable floor space. The extended part projects horizontally from the sloping roof, so that inside there is a flat ceiling and vertical windows. For homeowners looking for as much space as possible a dormer conversion is the ultimate choice. Within the dormer style conversion there are several choice, outlined below.

     Flat roof

The flat roof style is not always considered the most attractive but it is ideal if the head space is limited. It also gives versatility in where the staircase can be situated.

     Gable fronted and hipped roof

Also known as a dog house dormer, these conversions generally look good but do not always create the most space inside. It can also be a more expensive type of conversion because the building work involved is slightly more complex. 

     Shed dormer

A shed style extension is also known as an eyelid dormer. It calls for the construction of a long roof at a slightly pitched angle to the main roof. This provides a lot more space inside. 

    Non-dormer conversions

If a non-dormer conversion is required the roofline of the property remains the same and Velux skylights are fitted to allow natural light in to the room. Depending on the type and style of property this may be the better option. It also usually means that no planning permission is required.

 If you are unsure which type of loft conversion is best suited to your property and budget then get in touch with a specialist firm for advice. They can help with every aspect of the project, from designs and quotes to sorting planning permission and paperwork. If you are thinking of managing the project yourself be sure to do your research and choose your builders carefully.