How To Keep Your Loft Warm In Winter

September 20, 2023 Ravi

When that freezing winter weather starts to creep in, your loft conversion is usually the first room to feel the chill. Given that the whole idea of loft conversions is to turn dead space into a useable area that you can use to relax, sleep, or work, it’s essential to keep your loft warm in the winter to keep it habitable.

Fortunately, there are some easy ways to keep your loft conversion warm without breaking the bank or calling the specialists in for building and architectural services. Whether you already have an existing loft or are planning a brand new loft conversion over the winter months, here are our 5 top tips for how to keep your loft warm in winter.

Insulation

Lofts lose around 30% of a home’s total heat through the roof. That’s a lot of heat loss, but insulation is a simple way to minimise this heat lost and keep your loft cosy and toasty during the winter. The most convenient time to install loft insulation is during the loft conversion process. Doing so means you don’t have to knock through any existing walls or ceilings to fit your loft insulation. Loft insulation can save you up to £315 a year off your energy bills and can also add around 10-15% to the value of your home, so it pays for itself!

There are different types of loft insulation options available with each their pros and cons, depending on your unique loft space. These include blanket, loose-fill, sheet, and blown-fibre insulation.

– Blanket insulation is a cheap, all-purpose option that’s easy to install; it’s just not great for insulating your roof.
– Sheet insulation is a very effective but expensive option.
– Loose-fill insulation is a great way to increase the retention of heat as a top-up to an existing insulation method.
– Blown-fibre insulation is a perfect choice for hard-to-reach places, however is isn’t ideal for a full loft by itself.

Underfloor Heating

Underfloor heating is a great space-saving solution that can keep your loft at a pleasant temperature in the winter months. Heat rises, so having your heat source fitted underneath your loft floor means evenly distributed warmth for long periods. And because it can be installed separately from your central heating, your bills won’t rise along with the heat! Underfloor heating pumps hot water through pipes underneath your floor. Having it installed throughout a whole home is often seen as an overly expensive option but can be surprisingly affordable when used in a single room such as your loft. There are also underfloor heating mats available that can be installed quickly and easily without extra building work and costs.

Radiators

Installing a radiator into your winter loft conversion is a reliable and traditional heating method. A radiator is an effective way to let your loft remain toasty when it’s cold outside and can usually run off your central heating system too. However, your existing central heating may not be powerful enough to heat the extra space adequately and you might need to invest in an additional boiler, which isn’t the cheapest option. Traditional radiators aren’t usually the best-looking addition to a loft, but nowadays, many modern and slim options are available. They’re not just discreet and stylish but take up less space too. Heated towel rails are a great option too if your loft includes a bathroom (heating the loft as a side effect of warming up your towels).

If you don’t want any extra installation costs, don’t forget there are also portable electric radiators to consider. These can allow your loft extension to stay warm in the winter when mounted onto a wall or completely freestanding. You can set their temperature independently from your central heating, so you’re not wasting money heating the rooms in your home that aren’t in use.

Window Dressings

Windows can account for around 18% of the total heat loss in your home, and your loft space is no different. If you haven’t yet converted your loft, consider triple-glazed windows that can minimise heat loss and keep your loft insulated. Try installing windows where they capture as much natural sunlight as possible, which can economically heat your lift!

If you have a pre-existing loft conversion, dressing your windows is a simple yet efficient way of keeping your loft warm this winter. Thick curtains and window dressings can act as insulation when drawn and let the warmth in when open. Blinds let you control light levels as well as heat, while automated blinds can be set to open and close along with the rising and setting of the sun.

Décor

Our last tip to keep your loft cosy this winter is probably the simplest! Adding woollen throws, blankets, cushions, and rugs to your loft can help keep it cosy and inviting. Research has shown that having your walls painted with warm tones of reds, oranges, or yellows can even invoke feelings of warmth that can make you feel warmer!

Now that you’ve read about our top tips for keeping your loft warm in the winter months, we hope that you understand the different options available and which could be best for you. If you’re still unsure about anything we’ve covered, we at The Market Design & Build can help! We’re just a click or a call away if you have any questions about retaining heart in your loft during the winter. Alternatively, if you need to find ways to cool your loft in the summer months, visit our How to Keep Your Loft Conversion Cool This Summer article.

The Market Design and Build carry out many loft extensions, some of which are stand alone attic conversions and some that are part of a major house refurbishment or home extension. If you need a loft conversion or indeed any extension to your property please get in touch for a free no obligation quote.