Five Reasons to Consider Converting Your Loft in the Winter
There are many factors you need to consider when planning for a loft conversion, some of which include the costs, design, potential planning permissions, and building regulations. All of these factors need to be assessed in order to understand the best approach for your loft conversion and have a better idea of how to make the process to completion as smooth as possible.
Understanding loft conversions is the first step in helping you become more informed on the effectiveness of converting your loft, regardless of the season, you decide to start the work. There are different types of loft conversions, such as roof light conversions, dormer conversions, hip-to-gable conversions and mansard conversions.
As a starting point, you will need to assess whether your loft space is suitable for conversion. This includes factors such as; internal height (minimum 2.5m from ceiling joist to underneath the ridge board in the apex), roof pitch (measuring the angle of the roof), and footprint (ideally measures 5.5m side-to-side and 7.5m front-to-back).
Another requirement you need to consider when preparing to start a loft conversion is obtaining Building Regulations approval. A building control surveyor will inspect your conversion at the various stages of the build, and upon the final inspection, issue a completion certificate.
Converting your loft in the winter
Contrary to popular belief, the season that you intend to start your loft conversion is not such a defining factor. So whether you do your conversion in the spring, summer, autumn or winter, a good loft conversion company will be able to adapt and complete the work in the best way possible.
For many, a loft conversion during the wintertime is not a popular option, and as counterintuitive as it sounds, the winter months can be precisely the right time to convert your loft. Here are five reasons why:
1. You have a better chance of booking a loft conversion
You may be in the position where you are desperate to transform your grubby loft space into somewhere liveable and sophisticated. If a loft conversion is on the top of your priority list, then don’t let the season discourage you from starting the project. In fact, during the wintertime, you are more likely to book a time that better suits you as more slots are available. This is one of the main reasons many people decide to convert their loft in the winter.
The winter season organically has fewer bookings than the summer, as everyone has the preconception that starting a conversion in the winter would be an inconvenience, which leaves many companies with a lot of slots to fill. You will have more flexibility with the start date and not feel so rushed to book a time as it won’t be such a busy period. This allows the companies the ability to take their time and provide a more intensive service.
2. Heat loss is prevented
All proper conversion companies will not allow your energy bills to rise anymore in the winter than they are in the summer. You may be concerned that your house will be colder while the work is being done, but a good loft conversion company will seal a loft conversion prior to doing any exterior work, which means that the heat will no longer be able to escape.
Loft insulation is an effective way to reduce heat loss, as it decreases the amount of heat escaping from your roof. One-quarter of all the heat loss in a home occurs due to an uninsulated roof. Loft insulations work by adding a special material between the walls, the floors and the ceiling, which traps the heat in and keeps the cold out.
Materials such as mineral fibre and fibreglass matting come in roll form and can easily be installed if you have a loft with easy access. If your loft is harder to access, mineral wool or cellulose fibres can be installed using a specialised blower.
3. You can start saving money sooner
As with most functions of keeping a home, you want to ensure that it is done in the most financially efficient way possible. Once you have surpassed the initial step of insulating your loft as part of the loft conversion build, the sooner you can start saving money on your energy bills.
As less heat is escaping your home during the wintertime, you no longer have to keep your heating n full blast and can make substantial savings on your gas and electricity bills.
4. The winter isn’t so bad
If there’s one thing that anyone in the UK can agree on it’s that the weather is simply not something that can be relied on. When the weather gets colder, it is not typically the time to consider starting a loft conversion. In fact, during the colder months, you want to keep your house closed off, comfy and warm.
However, these elements don’t have to be compromised when you start a loft conversion; in fact, it’s the builder’s job to know the proper way to do the loft conversion, regardless of the type of climate, and with the least amount of disruption to your living space.
5. Enjoy the summer
Don’t be discouraged if a loft conversion has been on your to-do list for a while, and you haven’t had the chance to get around to it. The wintertime can be the perfect season to complete the build, and you won’t have to waste a summer worrying about a loft conversion and when you can get it done.
You’ll have the whole summer to enjoy yourself and make the most of whatever your loft conversion will become. Whether it be an elegant guest bedroom, a gym, a home office, or even your own cinema room (for those wanting something more unique), by the New Year you could be enjoying the newest addition to your home!
We carry out loft conversions all over London, from Ealing to Wembley and Clapham to Finchley, so wherever you may be, and whatever season it is, feel free to give us a call.
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Categorised in: Loft Conversions