Category archive - Environment

Top Tips on Going Green with Your Loft Conversion

Top Tips on Going Green with Your Loft Conversion

Do you want to install a really eco friendly loft conversion? Converting the loft is an environmentally responsible move in itself, since you will be making better use of existing space, while building regulations mean all work will have to comply with modern regulations on insulation. But there are also various ways to make your new loft conversion even greener.

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Loft conversion specialists Modern Attics can extend or convert your property in north west London or any other part of the capital, depending on your individual needs as well as the size and shape of your property. Here we have put together some ideas for the environmentally-friendly householder who wants to create more space in their own home, rather than go through the difficulties of moving.

What you can actually do may depend on the building, but here are some general pointers. We can advise you on the options for your particular site.

  • Solar Power: Don’t forget about the outside as well as the inside of your home. Installing solar panels on the roof of your loft as part of the conversion can cut your electricity bills – or even pay the bill for the whole of the rest of the house – and you can also sell back any excess power to the National Grid. Panels need not necessarily be easily visible to the world outside.
  • Using Natural Light: Certain types of work such as roofline attic conversions also have plenty of green credentials. This kind of work usually does not involve altering the roof shape, as the loft space is already large enough. Using Velux windows as part of the work will bring in more natural light, which can again mean lower electricity bills. Mansard, dormer loft and hip to gable conversions all can incorporate windows too.
  • Harnessing Waste Water: Re-using water which has already been used in your home’s sinks, bathtubs and showers – commonly known as grey water – can be redirected to flush toilets in your home, cutting back on your water bills. A system to achieve this can be installed as part of a loft conversion project. When carrying out work on a roof, it is also possible to make use of rainwater collecting via guttering and direct it into a tank, again using it for flushing toilets.
  • Using Sheep’s Wool for Winter Warmth: For a more natural insulation alternative, you could use sheep’s wool rather than conventional products. Sheep’s wool is a natural, recyclable material. It also scores over some artificial alternatives, as it can absorb moisture but does not lose any of its insulating properties. And remember – what keeps the cold out in winter keeps the warmth out in summer.
  • Think Wood: Timber is one of the main features of any loft conversion, as it allows the new space to ‘breathe’ with good air circulation and looks attractive in its own right. At Modern Attics, we are happy to use wood from sustainable sources.
  • Eco Friendly Fixtures and Fittings: You can make sure items inside the conversion or extension are ‘green’, depending on what you are going to use your attic conversion for. If the attic is going to be used as an extra bedroom, for example, you could make sure you use sustainably sourced furniture. If the conversion includes a bathroom, you can choose water-saving devices, including showers and taps which use less water, while low-energy light bulbs can be installed throughout the conversion.
  • Although adding in some of these features might add a bit to your total initial bill for your eco friendly attic extension, they should help to save you money in the long run.

    Modern Attics are loft conversion specialists who operate right across north west London – in places including Finsbury, Islington, Edgware, Shoreditch, Nags Head, Tottenham, Haringey, Archway, Whetstone, Grange Park, Winchmore Hill and Bowes Park. All our work is carried out to the highest standards of design and craftsmanship, with every attention to detail. We also pride ourselves on our professional, personal service. Click here to find out more about our eco-lofts and get a free quotation.


Fight Against the Cold This Winter

Fight Against the Cold This Winter

With the arrival of the recent cold weather, millions of people up and down the country are feeling the chill. Around 25% of all heat in the home is lost through the roof, often leading to a very cold loft. One of the best ways to ensure that those cold feet are kept warm during the long winter months is to invest in the latest insulation technologies. The initial cost of good quality insulation may put people off but in most cases, reductions in heating bills mean that the investment pays for itself within just the first 24 months of installation. The newest insulation methods also are effective for at least 40 years giving you piece of mind, as well as keeping you warm.

One of the cheapest ways to ensure that your loft temperature stays nice and toasty is to upgrade your cavity wall insulation, which could save you up to £160 a year. Most homes that were built after the 1920s have cavity walls and an easy way to tell is to look at the brick pattern.

cavity wall insulation

If your bricks have a regular brick pattern (left), you probably have cavity walls whereas if your bricks alternate in size (right) you probably have solid walls. If you have solid walls, don’t worry! Solid walls can still be insulated, and though it’ll cost that bit more, they actually save more money in the long run that standard cavity walls.

So how much can you save? The table below shows costs and potential savings for houses in England, Scotland and Wales. In Northern Ireland, the payback time is even quicker at around 2-4 years.

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The Green Deal Initiative

Britain’s building stock is one of the oldest in Europe. In order to bring it up to date, properties need to be adequately insulated. Then, once buildings are properly insulated, occupiers will spend less on energy bills to heat them. The government has recently introduced the Green Deal Initiative to help businesses and home owners to implement more green technologies in their properties. It’s a very simple idea, install green technology in your property and pay no upfront costs. The costs incurred will be repaid through your energy bill over a period of time. The ‘loan’ is associated with the property rather than the bill payer so there’s no obligation to continue paying after you move out.

The golden rule of the initiative is that the expected savings must equal or be greater than the costs attached to the energy bill. There are two main ways to apply for the scheme, through a Green Deal Provider or via a Green Deal Assessment.


Ray of hope; solar energy in more detail with Modern Attics

Ray of hope; solar energy in more detail with Modern Attics

You may already be aware of how environmentally conscious we are here at Modern Attics, and that we recommend the inclusion of solar panels with most of our attic conversions. We thought it was about time we provided explanations of exactly what these are and how they can benefit your home.
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Solar power as an energy source for your loft conversions

Solar power as an energy source for your loft conversions

We’ve entered a new era in 21st Century living where sustainability and ecological awareness are infusing throughout the global consciousness. It means that we are more alert and responsive to concepts such as carbon footprints and global warming. Modern Attics wanted to be a part of the solution and contribute towards the reduction of energy costs and their effects on the environment around us.

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Going green with your loft conversions

Going green with your loft conversions

In recent years there has been a notable shift in the way many businesses and other organisations are run, reflecting an increasing change of political and social attitudes.  That’s right, the country is going green – and Modern Attics is no exception!

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Environmentally friendly loft conversions

Environmentally friendly loft conversions

As we become more and more aware of the effect we have on the environment, there’s a lot of pressure for each of us to cut back and live a simpler life in order to reduce our carbon footprint and move towards more sustainable living.

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Keep out the cold in your home – attic conversions in winter

Keep out the cold in your home – attic conversions in winter

It’s December and the chill is in the air now. Many homes across the UK are stoking those fires and cranking up the heaters in order to stay warm in the home. There is only so much that these can accomplish however if your home is not prepared correctly and insulated in all the right places. Read more