I-Built Magazine
Why we do all want
to convert our lofts?
Sophie Nguyen, Director at Sophie Nguyen Architects share her thoughts for I-Build Magazine
What are the main reasons we all want to convert our lofts?
. It potentially adds value to your home
It will add extra floor area and potentially increase the value of your house.
. It creates more floor area without the need to create an extension
It creates more living space such as an additional bedroom, a study room or family room, without the need to extend your home.
. It addresses Climate change
These lofts are usually uninsulated, as they are not used for living spaces. A quarter of heat you generate to keep warm will be lost through the roof in an uninsulated home. Therefore, insulating your loft is very important as it will reduce heat loss and reduce your heating bills. Once the space is insulated, it makes good sense to use it for a living space.
How to transform your loft such that it is special?
1. Add an en-suite bathroom
With an en-suite bathroom, the loft conversion becomes a precious private bedroom that your teenager has been longing for. Or it could be the private space highly appreciated by your guests.
Adding a roof light or a dormer window will radically transform this small shower room into a very pleasant room, as it will be flooded with natural light but also it will contribute to feeling healthy with plenty of natural ventilation. A good use of full height mirror can also add a sense of depth.
2. Create a view and add natural light by creating openings in the roof with either dormer windows or roof lights
The daylight that floods into a room is a connection to the natural environment and its benefit to our mental health is well known. Furthermore, the sunlight transforms the room spatially, as the light changes through the day.
The dormer windows will increase the usable space, by adding height. And the roof light will increase the sense of height, as the sky is the limit.
In both cases, it will create a space flooded with natural light.
A dormer window or a roof light will create a connection to the outdoors. It will add views to the surroundings. The ability to see nature from a room is a healing element, whether it is the sight of a surrounding park or the views over the street below.
3. Functional Tip
When choosing roof lights, it is advisable to use standard skylights, double-glazed or triple-glazed, with integrated blinds- manual or electrical, top-hung but with hinges allowing central rotation for ease of cleaning without having to go on the roof!
4. Don’t forget the Storage space
As the loft is the space under a pitched roof, the space where the roof meets the floor could be perfect to create a line of low cupboards, with shelves and drawers. It is also where the water tank could be tucked away.
5. Finishes
The new roof insulation can be covered with plasterboard, with a polished plaster to create a modern feeling. Or it could also be covered with white-washed timber panels to give a Scandinavian feel to this new room.
Now that you are ready, what are my top tips when planning your home renovation?
1. Dream! It’s your house, and it is a wonderful opportunity for you to think about how you want to live
2. Think of the “Sunday Afternoon test”. Am I content to sit here when it’s raining outside?
3. Set a reasonable budget. The design and construction process do not need to be scary, it can be a pleasure, and matching your budget to your aspirations is a good way to reduce the stress of the process
4. Hire an Architect! I know, I would say that wouldn’t I… But a good architect brings both experience to the construction process, and creativity to the design process.
…And during the Build Stage:
1. Get a contract. Even the simplest contract will bring clarity to the process and will stipulate your rights in the event there are problems. If a contractor does not want to work with a contract, then you should not want to work with them!
2. Ask the contractor questions that you might feel are too naive to be asked. Is this a fixed price or an estimate? What might make the price increase? Is there any information that you need that you do not have? When is your finish date? Can you give me a copy of your insurance policy?
3. Be fair. It is generally better, and less costly, to reach an agreement where both sides come away with some level of satisfaction.
