Loft Conversion: Design Considerations

More often than not, a living space can get quite problematic. Too much of unused room makes it inefficient and expensive.

On the other hand, lack of space has a bad effect on the quality of life. It means that the most reasonable solution is adapting your home in accordance with your current needs. So, if you need more space, you can use the loft space and turn it into a useful room.

We have done some research on the most important features in this process.

Dealing with the Measurements

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When you have finished the roof insulation and the floor works, you need at least 1.9m of space above your head, at the highest point. It represents minimum height for the headroom space. So, before you get down to dealing the issue of heat preservation, measure the height and see now thick the layers of new materials can be.

Ensuring More Natural Light

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The loft space is often gloomy and there is rarely enough natural light there. If you want to put it to full use, you have to install additional windows. An additional roof window would be a great option, since it does not require any extensions, but only a simple adaptation of the existing roof. Place a bed into the loft and enjoy the pastoral picture of tree branches on your roof window in the morning.

Dormer: A New Terrace

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Building a dormer is a more demanding conversion, but more visually attractive, as well. Most people decide to build this feature at the front of their home, to have a better view of the street. It can also contribute to the curb's appeal of the place. Apart from that, dormers are made at the back, as well. They can even be formed as little terraces, which can look incredibly adorable.

Going for the Mansard 

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Those who want to give their loft a completely new look will turn it into a real mansard. This move requires almost a complete rebuild of the roof. The mansard is a structure similar to a box, which means that adding it to the top of your house means making a new storey. They are usually rounded off with a flat roof. Enriching your top with a mansard could give it a completely new flare. Besides, it could become your study or an entertainment room.

Stair Efficiency

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When the loft is being updated or upgraded, you have to take care of the way you are going to access the new structure. Of course, stairs are the most logical solution, but they have to be carefully designed, to save as much space as possible. So, to leave enough headroom space and not spend too much money, the best way for climbing to your loft are spiral stairs. They both save space and have an esthetic value.

Preserving the Heat

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Some of the loft conversions include removing the old roof tiles and installing the new ones. If that is the case, you must place an insulation membrane from the inside of the roof. This layer should be waterproof, but it must let the air flow freely under the roof and within the membrane itself, to avoid forming mold in that area. Many options are available today and you can even get free insulation deals to keep the heat inside your loft area.

The loft is a restoration-friendly area, since it is on the top of the house and you can add dozens of details to it. Also, it can have many purposes – a study, a guest room or even a space that you could rent via accommodations websites. So, go on and start making your loft a comfortable living space.