Can my loft be converted?

There are countless homes in the world and they come in all different shapes and sizes, so with this in mind, we want to cover a pressing question you may have been asking yourself; ‘Can my loft be converted?’.

Firstly, it’s good to identify what you have to work with; whether you have the required height and floor space needed for a conversion to happen. Also, if your loft doesn’t meet the typical requirements needed for a conversion, we will cover the options you have to make a conversion possible.

What’s required for a successful conversion?

• Assessment – before arranging your loft conversion, you will need to undergo a loft assessment. This will help to make clear the height and floor space you have to work with amongst any structural considerations such as chimney stacks, water tanks and obstructive trusses.
• Height – the distance between the floor and the roof must be at least 2.2 metres. For a room to be habitable, it must have enough headroom. This is also very important if you wish to have a bathroom inside your loft conversion because a shower will require enough height to be positioned correctly, not to mention the installation of the necessary parts required for it to function.
• Water tank – if this is located within the loft then it will need to be sealed off for protection and to prevent potential accidents. If you’re on a budget you will have to take this into consideration and make room for this, to ensure your plumbing and heating remains functional and safe.
• Angle of pitch – if the pitch is already high, the central head height will be higher. So if your roof slopes dramatically and you’re worried about the space it leaves, you can invest in dormer windows to allow for more floor space and increase the habitable area.
• Trusses – the great thing is, these can be removed to make for more usable room and an alternative support can be implemented.  

What can be done to a loft that isn’t easy to convert?

• Roof lifts – this provides the height your loft needs for a conversion to take place and is achieved by creating a new roof and pitching it higher. To finish, an expert will add more tiles to the roof in order to cover this new increased area. You will need to obtain planning permission before a roof lift.   
• Extensions – this depends on your budget and planning permission. Should you wish to increase the size of your loft outwards, you will need to apply for planning permission and satisfy building regulations to ensure your plans meet important requirements for health and safety reasons.

AKB Loft Conversions have a wealth of experience converting lofts and we understand that for some houses, all they need is a loft conversion to make the home just that little bit bigger. So, if you have truss loft or you’re in need of a roof lift to make your dreams come true, then get in touch with our friendly experts who offer free quotes and advice to ensure you get the help you deserve. We offer our services throughout Leeds and nearby towns, so if you’re within the area, please contact us today.