Property values and attic conversion ideas Part 3

Posted on Jan 26, 2012 in General, Loft Conversions & Extensions in London, Planning Permissions by paul 0 Comments

Do you know just how valuable an attic conversion can be for your property? If you haven’t been reading the Modern Attics blog then you’re behind with the times! We’ve got it all right here – every conceivable possible thing you would ever need to know about attic conversions and the entire hubbub that comes with them.

Continuing on from where we left off with our ideas and tips (read PART 1 HERE and PART 2 HERE) we thought we should mention the specifics behind a conversion and what aspects of an attic you need to look at: 

• Headroom space – in an ideal world the more headroom the better but in general cases between 7 and 8 feet is the standard minimum measurement needed.

• Size & complexity – taking into account design choice there may come a point when a designer or an architect needs to be consulted. The complexity of the attic space and the design itself all become major factors in the planning stages.

• Safety – your roof space will need to be assessed for suitability taking into account the need for fire escape points and fire safety. Speaking of safety concerns that leads us nicely onto… 

• Staircase – these are an essential part of successful attic conversions and installations. Access is everything for both practicality and safety purposes.

• Structural Stability – we have covered this extensively in a previous blog but checks must carried out on ceiling joists, load bearing walls and foundations to make sure that the environment is stable.

• Fire Resistance – materials of a fire resistant nature plus fire doors will be needed to adhere to fire safety standards. 

• Planning permissions – in most cases attic conversions don’t always need planning permission, only if your roof space is restricted. Other permissions to consider are building regulations and the Party Wall Act. You can consult your building team about these things. 

• Plumbing – most homes operate a boiler from the attic space. This needs to be factored in to the design proposal and whether or not it has the capacity to heat an extra room and still function correctly.

• Energy Conservation – this is an optional factor but it might be of importance to certain homeowners regarding energy efficiency and making the attic conversion green.

• Ventilation – the need for clean air to be pumped into the living environment and the venting out of moist or stale air is a further consideration that should be built into the design plans.

This criteria is the essential elements that need to be met or addressed. These are the immediate concerns before any attic conversion is even properly considered. It is always recommended to have your design plans professionally drawn up so nothing is left unaddressed. Remember to keep thinking about how a professional conversion will add to the overall value of your property. You want to get it right!

Contact us for a free quote for attic conversions.

Tags: attic conversion ideas, attic conversions, increase property value, modern attics, planning permission, property value