This is a collaborative post
There are many different motivations for needing more space in a home, whether it be expanding for a family or getting ready to sell a home (and make more money). Transforming an attic into a usable space is a great means of achieving this goal, and there’s less disruption because you’re using space your home already has. However, you will need to give plenty of thought to the execution of your conversion, as the slightest miscalculation can set you back a fortune.
Bring In a Structural Engineer
Even though your attic is already part of the home, any changes you make will have an impact on the rest of the home. Your chosen contractor will be able to pinpoint load-bearing walls, but they won’t have the necessary knowledge to consult on the wider implications of your dream attic. Therefore, it’s important to seek out the opinion of a structural engineer, which may make essential changes to your design.
Setting a Budget
Converting an attic is one of the most expensive renovations you can tackle, so you need to make sure you’re prepared before going into it. According to Household Quotes, the average cost of such a conversion is between £21,000 and £44,000 but could easily be as much as £63,000. Speaking to a contractor will help you get a closer estimation for your build, but you should keep in mind that there’s a lot of potential for problems, which means setting additional revenue aside.
Proper Temperature Control
Attics are largely designed with storage in mind, meaning they won’t hold a liveable temperature. Therefore, you will need to make sure the walls are packed with enough insulation to keep you warm during winter and cool in the summer.
Allowing for Light
During the design process, you will need to think about how to light the space. The most obvious means of lighting an attic is by having pitched roof windows installed, which will allow sunlight to flood into your home. Your will find many different styles of pitched roof windows, therefore, it’s best to explore a roof window outlet.
Soundproofing
Once your attic conversion is finished, you will be surprised at how loud footsteps and movements will be, especially if there’s a home office or bedroom underneath. Therefore, you need to consider soundproofing during the design phase. The best way to achieve this is with thick carpeting and dense insulation, which will dampen loud noises.
As well as soundproofing the floor, we recommend installing a heavy door to block out any travelling sound. However, you will likely have an awkwardly shaped doorway into your attic. If this is the case, you can easily explore bespoke Online Door Store’s options at a cost to suit every budget.
Finishing an attic is a great way to get more out of your home, as well as boost its value. You will likely need to get creative to achieve your goals, but remember to factor in the cost, lighting, soundproofing, temperature and structural integrity during the design phase.
Disclosure: This is a collaborative post