Established 2006
Planning Required For Loft Conversions Edinburgh
Loft conversions Edinburgh experts - Polish Home Renovations, will help Edinburgh homeowners rebuild their attic area. Anyone can make an attic look really beautiful with expert help. That's why a professional service that works throughout Edinburgh will be the best thing for those who want a beautiful attic area.
Attic Conversions - structural considerations
Many homeowners have to worry about the planning that is required for loft conversions Edinburgh. The main issue for homeowners is the structural concern. It is possible to convert most of the roof spaces in Edinburgh homes and there are some properties that are easier to convert than others. It usually depends on what kind of roof the house has in the first place.
If the house has a large cavern of a roof, typically found in old properties, then there will not be as many attic conversion structural problems for a person to be concerned about. It's easier to convert an attic depending on the amount of roof space available. Older houses were built with steeply pitched roofs and are often called rafter and purlin kinds.
There is a modern trend developing amongst house builders to revert back to the older styles of roof and thus making a conversion a lot easier. Today the majority of homes are built using a style known as RIR. This stands for room in roof trusses and they are purposely built to allow for an attic conversion. The RIR structure is an empty shell that has two vertical and one horizontal beam that supports the triangle of the roof.
Types of Loft Conversion
Roof space only loft conversions
This type of conversion is often described as a roof light or VELUX conversion. Required structural modifications are carried out to create habitable accommodation. However, this sort of conversion does not require any modifications to the shape of the roof. There are no projections through the roof as with dormers. The roof lights or roof windows are set into the slope of the roof. This solution is usually only viable when the roof space is of generous size and lots of headroom available to make it a feasible idea.
Box dormer loft conversions
The box dormer conversion is the most popular form of loft conversion in Edinburgh. These are very efficient method of gaining relatively genereous amount of habitable space quickly. The downside of this approach is that this form of conversion is the least asthetically pleasing. In a typical situation the dormer face rises vertically near the eaves and the sides of the dormer (dormer cheeks) rake into existing roof slope. Entire dormer construction, the cheeks and face, are usually constructed from timber studwork. The typical cladding material for dormer is tiles, slates, timber or plastic. Ocassionally in Edinburgh lead sheet covering is used.
Full width dormer loft conversions
This form of extension is very similar to box dormer with the main difference being its span extending full width of the roof. The sides of this dormer are masonry walls providing vertical continuation of gable or party walls underneath. Similarly to box dormer, the dormer face is usually tiled or slated.
Hip-to-gable loft conversions
Another way to enlarge existing roof space as a part of loft conversion is a hip-to-gable conversion. The existing pitched roof hip is replaced by a new vertical gable wall, usually at the side of the building. The new gable wall can be constructed in masonry (brick to match existing or blockwork with render finish to match existing) or timber studwork. In the latter case the timbers must be structurally sound to be capable of providing support to the ridge beam. The finish is timber battens and roof tiles or sheet timber with metal lathing to accept render finish to match existing.
Side dormer loft conversions
This type of conversion usually takes place when full hip-to-gable conversion is not accepted by local planning authority. The dormer can be built either from the top of the gable wall or be erected from within the roof slope.
Lean-to loft conversions
Half dormer loft conversion
Benefits of attic conversion
The best way of acquiring more space within the home has to be an extension. For most situations it is the best and most flexible choice. However, in the last twenty years, attic conversion has become a popular way and more individuals are deciding to build upwards rather than out. This also adds value to the property because the house is bigger and more attractive.
The wonderful thing with an attic conversion is that it can be done without losing garden space and it is done with little disruption to the house. It also tends to be a lower cost option of providing more floorspace because you work within the current footprint of the property instead of adding to it. The space quality is slightly different. When creating a third storey on top of a two storey you usually find that you have a place of peace that is high above the ground floor noise. This can be particularly beneficial for people with small children running and yelling around the home.
Reasons for loft conversion
The bigger the attic space you have available, the more uses you can use it for. Even in a tight attic space the added benefit of roof-lights can make a wonderful light and airy room that can be excellent for an additional bedroom or games room. Some people use their attic space for a study because it is quieter than the rest of the home. There are many reasons why you should expand your living space with an attic conversion. A loft conversion can not only create extra space but can also raise the value of your home. Whether you are embarking on a conversion due to lack of space or lack of selling potential, budgeting is the first step on the loft conversion ladder.
Loft conversion cost
Most people want to know how it will cost to convert an attic. The price of an attic will vary from different projects and depends on the scale of your individual project. However, it is sure to add value to your home. The kind of house you live in will alter the cost of a conversion. It also depends on how big the property is.
You will need to consider the size and kind of property. The roof type and condition. Any plumbing that needs to be relocated. Complications like chimneys or unusual layouts. The scale of your project. All attic extensions begin with nothing, but a number of ideas and once the ball is rolling it's easier to become carried away with the scale of your project.
You might start with the intention of doing something simple like making it a livable space, but then you may choose a more difficult layout. An attic conversion is a practical venture; it needs a person to use their imagination and creativity. A lot of people see a conversion as a wonderful opportunity to build a luxurious space or to make an ideal selling point.
