Constructing An Additional Room In Your Roof
Let's say you need more living or bedroom space and therefore considering an attic conversion, the most important thing make sure you do is to check your local council's regulations.
Presuming there isn't such issues, get a torch, a ladder and a measuring tape, squeeze through the manhole and check out the roof space.
If you can't stand up in the middle of the space, you'll have problems. The ideal roof pitch for your attic is from 32 to 38 degrees. But if your roof isn't steep enough you can add headroom and thus add to the expense by elevating the roof, or you should consider the alternative of adding another storey. visit
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A top-storey addition would give you about a third more room than an attic conversion but would cost you a great deal more.
If you're able to stand up in the roof space, so far so good. Measure for height, and then, being careful to step only within the joists for preventing crashing through the ceiling, measure the floor area. If half of the area has headroom of 2.3 metres or even more, it probably suits most councils' regulations for an attic living room or bedroom.
If blinking the flashlight around reveals a forest of trusses, don't lose hope. Modern trussed roofs, with rows of triangular frames, are often more tough to convert than older roof styles, but it's still doable.
Some trusses will need to be removed to make space for the room, and other timbers strengthened. Just keep in mind the old chippies' saying, ``It's the roof that holds the house up", and find expert advice.
The same goes for the ceiling timbers. They weren't designed to carry a floor and will have to be reinforced.
If you decide to intend doing it yourself and not hiring a builder or attic conversion specialist, be cautious and first find a building inspection by a designer or engineer.
The work involved including structural changes will depend on the purpose of the room.
If you'd like an unpartitioned living area or bedroom, complications should be minimal. If you desire to turn a large attic into two separate rooms, you will need to consider where to place separating walls and doors to provide separate access. And in case you must add a bathroom or toilet, linking into existing plumbing limits your layout options but tend to save a packet.
Regardless of the planned use for the attic, light and air are prime considerations. Attics are famously cosy however, there is such a thing as being too cosy dark, stuffy and claustrophobic. To make use of natural light and ventilation and views, in case you are lucky factor in standard windows, dormer windows, skylights or etc.
Standing in the roof space, you'll be reminded that heat rises. It is usually 20 degrees hotter up there than below, so highly effective insulation is definitely important.And to lessen noise, plan to insulate the floor, too.
The space between the ceiling as well as the new attic floor is also handy for hiding pipes and wiring.
Lastly, figure out best places to put the staircase. Typical staircases occupy a surprising amount of room so the ideal site for any attic stair will be an existing dead space such as a portion of corridor or a cupboard. For houses with little or no space to spare, you might find options to the conventional staircase. A spiral staircase takes up much less room, or, if even that would be too cramped, you could opt for a fold-down ladder.
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