Although you may have a quiet little street, a small back garden and a tired old conservatory at the rear of your property, this does not mean that you can never extend. Loft conversions offer one of the most economical ways to add space – as long as it falls within certain parameters.
The first thing you will need is permission. If your house was built pre-1947 (more than 70% were) then the chances are that there is no problem with converting your loft; although you should always check anyway. The only other limits on loft conversion work are:
1) Height: You cannot make any structural alterations that could reduce the height or light coming into the room below (it must be above 40cm), and
2) the size of opening windows (or skylights) in relation to the loft floor.
You will also be limited by your borough’s planning rules, particularly with regard to how far your loft can protrude into your garden or neighbouring property – you need to check these if you are thinking about ways to make an extension more appealing.
If you do not require planning permission (like many cases), then it is wise to speak with neighbours before any work starts – for example, if you are going to have a dormer window built out over their property. Once inside, if space allows, you can add another bedroom or en-suite bathroom. Or perhaps just turn that spare room into a gymnasium or study, extending your living space to accommodate guests.
If you are looking for something a little bit more traditional, then it might be worth considering an offshoot of the family home; after all, back in the Edwardian times (1901-1914) 90% people did! Attics – like the one above your bedroom – make perfect storage spaces and provide enough room for two rooms built under the slope of the roof. Make sure that if you go down this route, that there is sufficient headroom once fitted out. For example, En-Suite Bathrooms tend to need high ceilings, so this will need to be factored into any planning application.
Another option overlooked by many homeowners is converting loft space into extra accommodation – like a granny annex. Again, this is easy to do with the rise in popularity of student housing. All you need are extra rooms or at least enough space to house another bed or two. Dormers are particularly effective if you have the space – think of them as little sunrooms that can fit on either side of your loft space and benefit from plenty of natural light – just be aware that planning permission might be required depending where you live. If there’s not enough room for dormers though it may still be possible to add an extension by moving your roof upwards instead with a Mansard Loft Conversion .
The final thing you should know about loft conversions is that they are relatively inexpensive but highly rewarding – adding more square footage without disturbing the family. If you are serious about adding space then always consider a home extension as an option – check with your local council to see what is allowable.
As you can see, loft conversions offer one of the best and most cost-effective ways of extending your home without having to contend with planning permission or high costs. So now that you know, why not start thinking about how and where you want to extend?