The majority of Dubliners who are looking to add living space to their homes opt for a loft conversion. In common perception, lofts are musty storage spaces for seasonal decorations and ageing household goods. A loft, on the other hand, can provide the additional living quarters you require without necessitating the demolition of any of your garden space.
Keep in mind that converting your loft is a major project that calls for a lot of skill and a “I can do it myself” mentality before I set out a straightforward step-by-step approach to follow. Assuming you’ve made the decision to convert your attic, there are a few things you should think about before you get started.
In terms of design, you’ll want to think about:
- That which determines the height of your ceiling
- Which loft style do you prefer?
- Installable Services
- Weak illumination
- Whether or not a building permit is required
- the building’s floor strength and exit locations are indicated on the blueprint.
A planning permit is typically not necessary for a loft conversion. If your loft plan involves modifying the existing roof, you must first seek approval. Don’t take any chances though; find out if a planning permission is required by contacting your local council or planning official. As you progress through the book, you’ll learn more about the planning process and the factors to take into account.
First, find out if you can change your loft into anything else.
Not all loft spaces are amenable to alteration. Get a feel for whether or not your loft is up to snuff before you start planning the conversion. Look at the roof’s pitch, height, space, chimney or services, and felt.
Is your roof made of purlins, trusses, or more conventional cut rafters?
Have you checked the ceiling height of your loft? The typical roof design requires a minimum of 2.2 to 2.4 metres in height. The standard for a contemporary trussed roof is between 2.40 and 2.80 metres in height.
Do you think the attic could be turned into a roof?
Make sure there are no chimneys or vents in the attic that would necessitate moving anything.
Is there felt behind the tiles on your roof, making it weatherproof? Without felt, the underside of your roof tiles will be exposed. Under the tiles and battens of a felt-covered roof is a layer of black bituminous paper.
The next stage, if your loft fits all the above requirements, is to learn what kind of loft conversion you could have.
Loft Conversions: Step Two
There are three main considerations when planning a loft conversion. Consider your budget, the loft’s intended function, and the type of roof you have. There are three main categories of loft conversions to pick from based on the aforementioned criteria. There are three main types of loft conversions: those that don’t involve removing the roof and starting over, those that do, and dormer loft conversions.
Loft conversions that take place on the inside are the most cost-effective and need little in the way of professional assistance. Still, due to the increased room they offer and the simplicity of their construction, dormer loft conversions are the most popular in Dublin. Completely gutting and rebuilding the loft is the most expensive and labor-intensive option, but it is also the most likely to satisfy all of your requirements.
Converting an Existing Attic
The simplest and most inexpensive type of loft conversion involves installing skylights in the roof. Very little structural work is needed for this kind of loft conversion. Cutting windows into the existing roof slope, adding insulation to the loft, and reinforcing the floor are all steps in the process of installing roof lights.
All the major renovations, including reinforcing the floor, constructing a staircase, and insulating the loft, are carried out on the inside of the building, with the exception of the dormer windows. You may turn your loft into a skylight without obtaining a building permit.
Transforming Your Attic Into A Living Space With A Dormer
When making such modifications, dormer windows are typically added to the roof to create enough headroom for an adult to stand up comfortably. Converting a loft into a bedroom requires a planning permit and typically involves building out a dormer in the back. You are not limited to the back of your house for dormers; you may also put them on the front and sides.
The extra room that can be made in a dormer loft can be used for a variety of purposes after the conversion is complete. Dormer loft conversions come in five distinct styles. There are various types of dormers, such as the single dormer, the full-width dormer, the side dormer, the L-shaped dormer, and the hip-to-gable dormer.
Single-pitched dormers are the norm in conservation-minded communities. To both increase the square footage and symmetry of your home, consider installing two single dormers.
Adding a full-width dormer to your home is a great way to get that extra room you’ve been wanting and a new take on a loft.
Dormers on the side of a house are a great way to add vertical space in homes with gable roofs.
This style of conversion is only suitable for certain types of homes, such as Victorians with a rear addition.
In a hip-to-gable conversion, one or more hip walls are removed and replaced with gable walls. Afterwards, the roof is pushed outward to cover the gables, making room tall enough for an adult to stand up and stretch their legs.
Converting a loft may necessitate removing and rearranging the roof
Mansard conversions involve the removal of the original roof slope or slopes and their replacement with brand new, extremely steep slopes that are nearly as vertical as the walls. A nearly flat roof covers the steep slopes. It is possible to convert a small attic in a house with a flat roof into a usable living space. A mansard conversion requires building permits.
When there is a shortage of headroom in the attic, a prefab loft is a great solution. A prefabricated loft conversion allows for a larger roof to be installed in lieu of the old one.
Third, the roof and floor support will be altered to accommodate the new layout.
Lofts typically house the roof’s internal framework. The loft’s ceiling rafters must be removed and replaced with more compact models.
Possible loft conversion styles have been covered. The one thing they all have in common is that the ceiling can’t double as a floor. Converting a ceiling into a floor calls for reinforcements in both places. To do this, new support is fitted alongside the existing roof support framework. The ceiling plasterboard will not come into contact with the higher support.
The typical height of a floor structure made from 211 mm or 225 mm of extra support over the existing ceiling joints. The new support will either sit directly on the wall plates or on the beams, depending on its breadth.
The sloping rafter in a smaller loft conversion may be supported by the same floor support. This is accomplished by erecting a short timber stud wall between the floor joists and the sloping rafters, with a height of 1 to 1.5 metres. Now that the supporting framework is in place, the interior struts and braces may be taken out.
The Fourth Action: Installing Loft Stairs
One of the trickiest parts of a loft conversion is designing the stairs, as there is usually very little room for them. However, most stairs have narrow, curving steps, which may not be ideal for a loft because of the difficulty in transporting heavy furniture up it.
Plus, the price of constructing a custom staircase is roughly 10 times that of a standard one. You should think about the aforementioned details while designing the stairs for your loft renovation.
It is wise to get the approval of the Building Control officer before beginning construction on a complex staircase design. The final destination of your loft’s staircase design should be a public passageway. If you want the stairs to be a part of the overall layout of a room, rather than separate elements, you’ll need to rework the space’s layout to accommodate the staircases or come up with an alternate means of egress.
Fifth, let the sunshine in by setting up windows.
Even if this is your first time tackling a loft conversion, you won’t need to make any structural changes to your home in order to install skylight windows or rooflights. Typically, windows will be installed on the upper and lower walls of the roof.
Dormer windows are a popular option since they can add natural light and ventilation to a room without altering the original design of the house. Since many dormer windows are installed towards the home’s rear, they typically don’t necessitate building permits. Most individuals choose roof-light or skylight windows instead of dormer windows because the former requires planning permission while the latter does not.
If you want to turn your loft into a useable space without sacrificing headroom, installing dormer windows may be the way to go. It is recommended that you have temporary sheeting on hand to protect your loft from the elements before beginning construction on your dormer window.
Enhancing the Fire Safety of Your Attic
An attic renovation is less likely to interfere with a bungalow’s emergency exit. However, you need to ensure sure the windows are big enough to be used as an exit in case of an emergency. There are considerations to make if adding a new floor as a result of your loft conversion.
Because of the need for fire safety measures lasting at least 31 minutes, the additional floor may necessitate a thicker layer of plaster beneath the ceilings. Likewise, a fire door must be installed at either the top or bottom of the steps leading to the loft. In addition, you should put in at least one enormous escape window in each room. There are also escape-ready skylight window options available.
Due to the potential danger they pose to children, automatic door-closing mechanisms are no longer utilised in private residences. The best course of action is to install fireproof doors in lieu of the current stairwell doors, specifically the doors on the ground and first floors. Make sure to include these information on your loft conversion plan before submitting it to Building Control.
Installing interconnected, mains-powered smoke alarms on each level of your home is a must. These alarms will sound simultaneously if one is triggered.
Step Seven: Insulating the Attic
As regulations on energy efficiency have tightened up over the years, it has become increasingly difficult to properly insulate your loft. Insulation can be installed between the rafter and the covering if the roof tiles need to be replaced as part of the renovation. If you do this, you can ensure an excellent seal that keeps out air and moisture.
Insulate the space between the rafters and the underside of the rafters if you decide to replace the roof. Because the plasterboard will need to be fitted to the rafter through the insulation on the underside, the insulation should be as thin as feasible.
High-performance insulation should be used. All the places that need insulation, for instance, should be covered with a form or board. It is recommended to use the same type of insulation on the dividing walls and dormers.
Eighth Step: Loft Insulation for Noise Pollution
You can easily add soundproofing to the newly installed floor in your loft by inserting mineral fibre between the joists. Instead of the lighter materials utilised for thermal insulation, heavier, denser materials should be employed for soundproofing. You should also use thick sound insulation on the interior stud divider that separates the bathroom from the bedroom.
Converting a loft is a great opportunity, but it’s important to think about lighting as
Just like any other room in the house, a converted loft needs a variety of lighting options. It’s important to have a variety of lighting options, including daytime ambient lighting, task lighting for activities like reading and computer use, and accent lighting to set the mood.
Track lighting and downlights work well on slanted ceilings.
Step Eleven: Air Circulation
Making the roof as airtight as feasible improves energy efficiency. A regulated ventilation system is required to prevent condensation of water vapour and strike a balance between energy efficiency and ventilation.
The heating stage comes eleventh.
You should plan on spending more money on heating and cooling your home after adding an addition. Improving your boiler is a quick fix. Radiators, under-floor heating, or a hybrid of the two are further options for warming a room. If, however, your loft conversion resulted in the addition of another bathroom, you should look into a new boiler.
Process Stage 12: Plumbing
Adding a bathroom requires extensive plumbing work in any renovation. Prior to construction, it is important to determine where the plumbing services are located. The quickest way to get plumbing services to your freshly converted loft is to run new pipes from the main floor down. In this case, plastic piping that can bend will work perfectly.
Electricity, the Thirteenth Step
It’s possible that upgrading the electrical system with the help of jlkelectrical.ie will be necessary for your loft conversion. Depending on the age and state of your existing system, you may be able to simply extend the existing circuit. Some situations call for the installation of new circuits and distribution boards.
Recovering Discarded Data
There will be less room for things like storage when a loft is converted into a living area like a bedroom, bathroom, bar, or office. Behind the dividers, you can install custom storage solutions. Adding built-in closet space is a great idea if you plan on converting your loft into a bedroom.
Let’s look at some of the most often asked questions now that you’ve learned about the different kinds of lofts you may choose from and the process for converting lofts.
Frequently Asked Questions about Creating Living Space in a Loft
Do I Need to Get Planning Approval to Convert My Loft?
Because you are not altering the original structure, a loft conversion falls under the category of authorised development. However, there are rules that must be followed in your loft conversion plan. Before beginning any work, it is highly recommended that you consult with the local planning authority.
Is it necessary to get Building Regulations’ approval?
A control survey officer will need to inspect your construction at various stages and issue you a certificate upon final inspection, both of which require the blessing of the Building Regulations. Residents of terraced or semi-detached properties are required to notify their neighbours of any upcoming construction projects under the Party Wall Act.
Can You Give Me Some Advice on Layout for My Attic Room?
You have two choices in terms of architects when planning a loft conversion. Those who aren’t confident in their DIY loft conversion abilities should hire an architect or designer. Choose this if you’d like the freedom to make the design work for you in every way. Small loft conversion projects can also benefit from the assistance of an architect or designer.
As part of their service, designers and architects will provide you with drawings. For larger projects, or when hiring a structural engineer, you may choose to solicit bids on the designs.
Alternatively, you might contract with a professional design and construction firm. People who want peace of mind and aren’t interested in a “Do It Yourself” style conversion should consider this alternative.
How much money would it take to transform my attic into a bedroom?
The cost of converting your attic depends on a number of variables. Considerations like your roof’s layout, the amount of free room, and the necessity of any substantial structural changes are all important. How much it will cost is estimated below; the figures depend on the method of conversion selected.
Make Your Loft More Liveable By Adding a Room
Loft conversions can cost as little as €15,111, which is the minimum possible. In this form of conversion, the most crucial parts are:
- The Floor Is Being Reinforced
- Two skylights were added.
- An Insulation Upgrade
- Settling on a loft access plan
- Installing home heating and lighting systems that use electricity.
- Installing required fire protections like smoke detectors and exit doors
Enhancements to Existing Dormers and Loft Space
Converting your loft into a room via a dormer loft extension is quite similar to converting your loft into a room except for the windows. Because of the windows, there is now more room on the ground level and ceiling. If you’re building stairs, this provides you with more choices.
A dormer loft addition can be built for around $21,111. From €35,111 to €45,111 may be the price tag for your double-bedroom addition.
The costliest renovations are the ones that include reworking the roof. A professional construction crew and clearance from the local planning department are necessities for this transformation. Typically, people spend around €41, 1111.
Should I Get Loft Conversion Insurance?
If you’re going to complete the loft conversion on your own, you’ll need to get insurance. Both the renovated space and the original building are protected under the policy. The loss or damage of altered property is typically not covered by homeowner’s insurance.
Conclusions
Your home’s resale value will increase if you’ve made your loft into a pleasant living space. Additional room and resale value are two great benefits that may be gained from a loft extension. The Nationwide Building Society, for one, discovered that adding a loft to your home can enhance its value by as much as 22 percent. Considering you won’t have to sacrifice any of your garden space, this is a substantial gain.
As you can see from the image, there is a lot of work that goes into transforming a loft into a fully functional room. For your loft renovation, refer to this manual. In any case, just make sure you follow the manual precisely and get everything ready before beginning the job. It’s possible that if you don’t, you’ll end up losing money for no good reason. In addition, it is wise to have insurance to safeguard against unintentional losses that may occur throughout the building process. If you are unsure of your abilities, however, it is recommended that you engage an architect to ensure that your loft conversion is of high quality and will last for years to come.
