A loft conversion seems to be the new in thing for many homeowners in today’s society. Not only is it becoming a popular solution to the ‘no space’ problem in the overcrowded busy city of London, but it is also becoming a favourable option in parts of North England such as Manchester.
Manchester is one of the country’s most popular tourist destinations. It is considered by many as the music capital because it is the home of many great artists such as Oasis, Stone Roses, The Smiths, and Joy Division. But what makes loft conversion such a popular service out there?
In this article you can find the most common benefits and disadvantages of a loft conversion service. From there you can make your own mind up about whether or not it is a way forward or just another property market trend.
The Pros of Loft Conversion
Popular and affordable solution – In Great Britain, having a loft converted has quickly become one of the most popular renovations. It provides a fairly straightforward solution to not having enough space because it is building onto an already existing framework. Loft conversion companies are offering a loft conversion service at more affordable prices now. It is also less time consuming than a house extension.
No loss of outside space – Loft conversions are great because they don’t take up extra space. In a lot of areas where space and overcrowding is a common problem, the most effective solution is to build upwards. Loft conversions give you an extra room like a house extension would, but don’t require you to sacrifice precious garden and outside property space.
An extra room – This is the most popular reason why homeowners opt for a loft conversion. Many traditional homes have some sort of loft or attic space already, so getting a conversion is easy and often requires straightforward alterations to the roof of your home and the attic floor. Loft rooms are commonly used as a bedroom or office space but can also be converted into a playroom or bathroom.
Adds value to your property – Loft conversion is an investment, but it is worth it because it adds value onto your property. The Guardian states loft conversion can increase your home’s value by at least 20%. Also according to Nationwide, adding an extra bedroom or bathroom can also increase house value.
Right to light – House extensions have regulations that state where you can and can’t put windows, and where you can and can’t build in case it blocks natural light from reaching your neighbour’s property (as stated in the Prescription Act 1832). Neighbours may also feel like their privacy or space is being invaded. Choose a loft conversion to avoid any obscuring or overshadowing any neighbouring properties. Loft windows such as Velux and sun tunnels are also a great way of opening up the space with natural light.
The Cons of Loft Conversion
Not suitable for all properties – If the safety and building structure needs are not met, you cannot have a loft conversion. Some loft conversions end up costing more because of the added alterations needed on your home before converting the loft. Most cases like this need the roof structure remodelled to accommodate the minimum headroom space
Building regulations – A loft conversion can only be carried out if specific standards are met. The Building Regulations Act states the minimum requirements for a loft conversion such as the minimum ceiling height, insulation thickness, etc. These regulations ensure that the loft is:
- Stable and structure is not endangered i.e. the roof and attic floor/downstairs ceiling
- Safe with fire escapes
- Designed safely with stairs to the new floor
- Reasonably sound insulated between the loft and the rooms below
Giving up loft storage space – Many properties without a loft conversion use their attic space for storage. In some cases, homeowners end up having even less space for storage than before a loft conversion because all of their unused belongings were stored away in the loft. Unless you plan to convert your loft into a bigger storage room, you will need to get rid of some items.
Construction Blog 2017 