Loft conversions are a fantastic and convenient way to expand the footprint of your home and even increase its value, and while most properties has lofts we can convert, not all do. If you’re looking to create an extra room in your loft space, you need to consider several factors first. Read on to find out if your property is suitable for a loft conversion.
Headroom
You’ll need your tape measure for this one. Measure from the top of the ceiling joists to the underneath of the ridge and take note of the measurement. For a conversion to be a comfortable area, a minimum height of 2.3m is recommended.
Roof pitch
In an ideal world of loft conversions, your roof will have a pitch of at least 40 degrees. The steeper your roof is, the more headroom you will have in the centre of the loft, and if your roof has a low pitch, you can opt for a Hip to Gable conversion. In this conversion style, four hips extend from the roof ridge then connect to a rear dormer allowing ample headroom inside the finished loft.
Structural obstacles
If your loft houses a water tank, ventilation pipes or a chimney, you’ll have to consider how to work around these. You’ll also need to bear in mind any extra costs involved with relocating water tanks.
Positioning the staircase
Positioning the staircase is one of the ultimate tests of suitability for loft conversions. If you can position the new stairs above the existing flight, that’s the perfect outcome. However, the current stairs will typically be located at the loft’s edge, where headroom is at its minimum. A dormer can be constructed to provide the required headroom, but if at any stage you have to sacrifice bedrooms to fit in a staircase, you have to question if your house is suitable.
Contact us today if you would like us to assess your home’s appropriateness for a loft conversion.