We are spending more time in our homes now than ever before. The pandemic has drastically changed life as we know it and as many continue to work from home, there is an increasing desire for more space. A survey by Rightmove in 2020 showed that renters and buyers are searching for bigger homes with a suitable workspace.
In fact, a recent home improvement survey by Santander suggested that the average Briton spent £1000 on home improvements to make their property more inviting and comfortable, including 60,000 extension and conversion applications submitted by UK homeowners in the first 13 weeks of lockdown.
So what if you could expand your home without moving to a new house? You might love everything else about your home but require a dedicated home office to work in or a study for the children. Perhaps you’ve always desired a spare bedroom, dressing room or studio?
A loft conversion is a fantastic way to expand your home by using space you already have. There are many different loft conversions to choose from and in most cases, there will be a loft conversion that suits your style of home.
A Brighton loft conversion is the ideal way to create an extra living space, without the longwinded process of moving. As house prices continue to soar in Brighton and demand to be ‘close to the coast’ rises, a loft conversion is a sound investment and if you do choose to move down the line, a loft conversion can add between 10-20% to the value of your home.
Loft Conversion Styles
There are a range of different loft conversions to choose from, however some are only suitable for a detached or a semi-detached home. Here is a quick overview of the most popular types of loft conversion.
Roof Light Conversion
This type of loft conversion relies on already having a large loft space with a suitable head height that meets building regulations. In this case, skylights are added to the roof, allowing natural light to flow in and around your new space. Flooring of your choice along with a handcraft staircase matching the style of your existing stairs are installed, along with any storage solutions you may require.
Other additions will be made such as installing smooth wall space, insulation, heating and electricity supply to make the space liveable and functional.
Dormer Loft Conversion
A dormer loft conversion is one of the more popular types of Brighton loft conversion as it suits most types of home. It adds space to the loft by building an extension that expands outwards from the slope of the roof. This is usually installed to the rear of your property but can be added to the side or front subject to planning permission.
Hip To Gable Loft Conversion
Another popular choice for those that have a semi-detached or detached home, is a hip to gable loft conversion. It works by extending the sloping roof to the side of the property to create a vertical gable wall which the roof can extend over. This helps create both increased floor and headspace.
Because of this, it is a popular choice as it fits smoothly with the rest of your home and is a fairly subtle way of extending your property.
What Should I Consider Before A Loft Conversion?
If you are considering a loft conversion, the first step is to think about the type of home you have and the space available to you; be it at the front, rear or side. You should think about how much headspace is available in your loft and if it is a traditional or trussed roof as it may require rafters being moved and alternative roof support.
You’ll also have to think about how your loft space will fit within the building regulations, which require safely designed stairs and entry to the loft space with sufficient headspace. Is there suitable space to install a staircase?
Luckily, at The Brighton Loft Company, we will help you through every step of the way and give you our expert help and advice. We even take care of planning permission and building regulations for you. If you’d like to explore investing in a loft conversion, get in touch and we’ll be happy to begin your journey. We never take on more than three projects at a time, so we can give you our full attention, focus on your project and be available whenever you need us.