| Loft Conversions UK |
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A loft conversion is a relative quick and economical way to add additional living space to your home and to add value to yor property. When you have a loft conversion undertaken, you transform the existing 'empty' space in your loft or attic into a fully habitable and comfortable room or rooms. At a minuimum, depending on the finish of your loft or attic, this could just mean cleaning the space and adding some lighting, plumbing and electrical sockets; perhaps also a lick of paint to freshen and brighten your new room(s). More often that not, a loft conversion will require more work, the laying of flooring, full electrics, plumbing, plasterboarding, painting, tiling, additional windows, perhaps the provision of a dormer window or velux windows and blinds, and for this it is best to find a qualified builder or loft conversion specialist to undertake these works and complete them to a high standard. You may also need to check on stairwell provisions, especially in the light of Health and Safety regulations. What is most appealing about a loft conversion is that it does not alter the existing footprint, or curtilage, of your property: you are not adding anything to your property, are not building on to it, and as such your extension, your additional living space, does not encroach on your garden space. Also you are not altering the external appearance of your house, or creating an odd-looking addition. All a loft conversion involves is the utilisation of the existing space available in your property in a creative and aesthetically pleasing way. The possibilities afforded you by a well executed loft conversion are myriad; your new space could be a bedroom, a master suite away from the children, a office or studio space, a library, a home cinema or entertainments room, a playroom for the children, or even guest accommodation. Your loft conversion is limited only by the available space and your imagination! As with any substantial building work or alterations to your property you will need to check building regulations. You will almost certainly need permission to carry out any such works, especially if windows are to be fitted as these will significantly alter the appearance of your home. Remember too, that the loft space will hold structural elements essential to supporting your roof: the last thing you want is to cut through one of these! It is not only dangerous, it could well be very costly. Also, you will need some form of safe access to the new accommodation in your loft, and there are very strict building regulations with regards the angle, size, height and materials used for staircases. Your local planning authority will want to see a sketch of your plans at the very least, so be precise about how you visualise your new space. Include exact room dimensions, the positions of windows, doorways, electrical sockets and fittings, plumbing and heating supplies and feeds, stairwell and balustrades, as well as the supporting elements such a joists and trusses. You will also want to make sure the ceiling and walls are well insulated: you do not want your new room to be as cold as your existing loft! To make your life easier when planning out your loft extension pay a visit to your loca authority and see if you cannot locate the original plans to your home. These are not always available, especially in the case of older properties, so in this instance a detailed plan will be enough. Do not worry if you cannot draw at all, there are plenty of computer software programmes available to help you create detailed and accurate plans. As you will be adding extra electrical spurs to feed the new space in your home, it is advisable to contact a local qualified electrician to check that the new spurs will not exceed the rated load for your home. Can you imagine how happy the rest of the family will be if the lights blow out every time you turn on your home entertainment system! New electrics, especially if you require an increase in the permitted load, new fuse box and circuit breakers can be expensive, so be sure to factor this into the costs for your loft conersion. Depending how you are going to use the space will determine what kinds of services you will need to install, or pre-install. When carrying out a loft conversion and adding value to your home, as the flooring is up, and cabling being laid, it could well be worthwhile adding more services than you envisage you need, as you do not know how other people will view your beautiful new space when you come to sell your home. Your new living space in the old loft might be an office, and as such a dedicated phone line will be needed, perhaps even ADSL, or a wi-fi network, but you would not add plumbing as you do not need it for an office; but if the next owner sees your loft conversion as a master suite, they will want to add a wc, basin and shower at least, so pre-install for these in a suitable area if funds allow. This may seem like overkill, but it could make your property ust that bit more valuable and saleable! The physical access to the loft space is one of the most important things you will have to consider; shimmying up a ladder is not going to be an option - and it is most certainly not going to be legal. It is unlikely that you will be installing an elevator which, although space saving is probably prohibitively expensive! So you need to fit stairs, which have to be sited in such a way that they allow easy ingress and egress to the new room(s) in your loft space without creating problems in the new space you create in the loft or in the existing space on the floor below. To help you determine how best to do this, a qualified and reputable loft conversion specialist or architect will come up with the most usable solution; get as much advice as you can before undertaking your loft conversion, that way there will be no nasty surprises later. Structurally your new loft rooms are finished, now all you need to address is the issue of decor. This could be as simple as a fresh coat of paint and a remnant of carpet, or as onvolved as a full interior design project! The level of decorative work you undertake will be determined by how the space is to be used: an office or playroom will not need as much work and finishing as guest accomodation, a master bedroom suite, or even second living room. Whatever use you see for your new space, pay very careful attention to the lighting. Remember a loft space is in the eaves and can thus be quite dark or feel small; get the lighting wrong, or have too little of it, and the room could end up feeling unpleasantly claustrophobic. A carefully planned and executed loft conversion can furnish you with that much needed extra space, and bright and fresh new living spaces that have been, almost literally, conjured out of thin air! Loft Conversions HOUNSLOW Loft Conversions SOUTH LONDON |
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