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Besides having extensions to increase the space in your home, loft extensions can help you have another bedroom, a bedroom and suite or even two bedrooms. However, choosing the right type of conversion depending on your budget is a problem to most homeowners. The following are some conversions you might do with your roof space from the cheapest to the most expensive.
However, if your loft is not used as a habitable space currently, you are required to increase the thickness of the floor as well as the depth of the rafters so as to comply with Building regulations set by the state.
Simple roof conversion with roof lights you cannot be able to create dormers in a tall, narrow loft due to financial constraints or planning permissions, you should consider leaving the space available as one instead of dividing it with a wall. The amount of money needed is relatively small with the whole plan requiring installation of stairs, insulation and purchase of roof lights to successfully have a pleasant room.
1) Roof light conversion with bathroom
This is possible if you’ve a large roof space because you can consider having adding a bathroom while doing your loft conversion. Finally, you can end up having a private room which is has light and a freestanding tub for your bathroom. However, you should have low level storage in the eaves to create enough storage space.
2) Part width dormer conversion
Full width dormers are mostly not practical and hence most people do not like them. Among the reasons why they are not preferred include: The right planning permission may be unattainable
The width of the widow or French windows
Most homeowners do not like large dormers and therefore prefer small ones
Therefore, if you need more headroom, you are supposed to create a dormer around a window and it will help you gain the full height space across the width of the window. It is important to note that this style retains most of the original shape of the roof interiorly and exteriorly.
3) Double sided part width dormers
You can be able to create a symmetrical double dormer room on the other side of your loft if you’ve enough space on your roof. This will result in more living space because you will be having double dormers.
4) Loft conversion with low-level roof lights
This low level space is not usually used to its maximum potential because it is used as a storage unit by most people e.g. to store suitcases and other heavy household items. If you can find an alternative space to keep your items, you can have a glass like expanse to give you a view of the outside as well as to allow enough light to pass through.
5) Mezzanine space
The original height of the ceiling usually determines the scale of renovation in creating mezzanine space. Ideally, the job is structurally simpler and cheaper in price if you’ve a tall room with your only focus being on using the eaves which are already visible. However, you will require more time and money if you need to expose the roof space by removing the ceiling. To start this project, there are building regulations which you are supposed to comply with and hence you should consult local authority before commencing on the project.
There are two reasons for creating mezza space: If your floor to ceiling height in your roof space is not enough to create a loft space If your property is semi—detached which has a three sided sloping roof
6) Rear dormer conversion
This is the most common way of increasing the usability and head height available in your loft space. You should understand that the front slope of your roof doesn’t change and hence your property remains unaltered from the street even if you’ve done conversions. With a rear dormer, you can have a master suite which entails a bedroom en suite, enough storage and still have enough room for your staircases.
7) Rear full width dormer which has folding doors and a Juliet balcony
You can have bifold door connecting your new rear extension with the garden. This could be a better option rather than having only a window facing your garden. However, when planning to install bifold doors, you should also include the cost of a balustrade in your budget to avoid frustrations.
For most of these examples to be implemented, the skills of a structural engineer are needed. Therefore, remember including a structural engineer’s fee in your budget whenever you need to convert your loft.