Building a Loft in Your Attic – When you decide to build a loft in your attic, you may be looking for more liveable space or simply to add value to your home. This is certainly a great way to do both, but you will have to take in account a variety of factors, before you start and while you are building it. Here are a few that should not be missed.

 

Building a Loft in Your Attic 

 

Is the Size of the Loft Large Enough Once completed?

When you are standing inside your unfinished attic, you may believe that it will have more space than in the finished product. Even when you look at an architect plan, it may still be difficult to judge how it will feel to walk around this new space. Do not be afraid to ask the person who drew the plan to give you an idea of how comfortable it will be, in the end. If the answer is mitigated, it may be best to review the whole idea.

The second element is the space that it will take in the room below, if you need to create a staircase. Losing space in one room to add more space in general might not be such a great idea, after all. However, there is a solution to this issue that will solve it. You can insert one of these premium loft ladders on your ceiling, so that you only pull it out when you need to go up to the loft. It is best to position it in a corridor if you can.

 

Are the Foundations of the House Strong Enough?

When you are building a loft in your attic, it means that you will be adding weight to the whole structure. Houses are not meant to handle more pressure on them. There is a limit to what they can withstand. Therefore, once you are convinced that it is worth turning your attic into a loft, you need to ask your builder to expose the foundations in order to check them. The building control officer will also want to look at it, so keep the exposure open for a few days, until the inspection is completed. The bad news is: If you need additional support for the foundations, you can be looking at doubling the budget of your renovations.

 

Can you legally convert Your Attic into a Loft?

There are laws that define which renovation works can be done in your house. When you are thinking of converting your attic into a loft, you need to get the plans approved by the authorities first. Only once you get the green light, should you then look for a builder to start the work. If you do not go through this step first, you may have to tear it all down in the end, which would be a terrible loss financially and physically. Before you sign off on the work, make sure that you have a fixed quote signed by your builder. Otherwise, costs may also rise while he does the work.