If you currently own or rent a home with a loft, you might be wondering what you can do to utilize all the extra vertical space that you have available. The truth is that you are in an excellent place to offer multiple levels of living space while having more than enough room to store all your extra belongings. It’s up to you what kind of room you want to place in the loft, but bedrooms and living areas are common choices.
The best loft conversion makes use of all the space in your home, so a busy family has more room to move around and engage in activities. Whether you want to add a guest bedroom, dining space, or an extra lounge, it is a top alternative to a typical extension. It also can add value to your home.
Planning Steps Before You Start
Before you get started with working on converting your loft into a new room, you want to have design ideas ready. Everything from the configuration of the room to the structure, your budget, the energy efficiency, and the position of windows will come into play. Having a loft converted into usable space can give you up to double your space if things are planned out ahead of time.
Deciding Whether You Have the Needed Space
If you’re planning to convert a small loft into a home office, a kid’s bedroom, or another space, the first thing you want to check is whether there is enough room for the conversion. The rule of thumb here is that you should have at least 7.5 feet of height for conversion, but you also need to consider the pitch of the roof and any obstacles like water tanks or chimneys.
Those without adequate roof space may have other options, including removing all or part of the roof to heighten it. The main issue is that this requires planning permission and can cost quite a bit more. Another option is to use a glass residential loft system, like those offered by Doors22. These systems offer you great looking storage space that can be designed to fit with the style of your existing home or a condo.
Adding Stairs to Your Loft Space
There are a few things to be aware of when choosing stairs for a loft. Even if you already have stairs available, there are requirements that they need to meet to be safe for your family. All stairs should meet the guidelines below:
• Have a tread depth of at least nine inches
• Be at least 36 inches wide
• Offer at least 6’8” of headspace up the entire set of stairs
• Have a rise of 8 ¼ inches or less at all points
If your stairs meet these requirements, you are good to go. However, you want to be sure they meet the needs of the conversion design to avoid problems with the structural integrity of the loft. Compliance and placement are both crucial things to consider.
Working with Doors22 (the site) offers a unique opportunity to design a completely custom system which lasts for decades, presents a modern look and is maintenance free.
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