Working from home is super popular these days, and lots of people in the UK are looking for extra space. Guess what? Your loft could be the perfect spot for a cool new home office! Let’s dive into how you can turn your dusty attic into a workspace you’ll love.
Imagine having a quiet, bright space just for work, away from all the hustle and bustle of the house. A loft conversion can give you just that! It’s also a great way to add value to your home. Plus, who wouldn’t want a room with a view? If you’re looking for a office loft conversion in South West, or the nearby areas of Bath, Bristol, Chippenham, Corsham, Devizes, Keynsham, Trowbridge and Somerset, call us here at Loft Living on 01225 432 317.
Planning and Designing your Loft Office
First things first, you’ll need to think about planning permission. Don’t worry, it’s not as scary as it sounds! Loft conversions generally fall under permitted development, allowing them to be carried out without planning permission. However, specific conditions outlined in the Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) Order 2015, Schedule 2, Part 1, Class B must be adhered to. To ensure compliance and avoid potential planning issues, it is advisable to consult with the team here at Loft Living prior to commencing any loft conversion project.
There are different types of loft conversions, like dormer or Velux, and the best one for you depends on your roof and what you want to do with the space. Think about how you want your office to look. Do you want a modern home office or a cozy nook? You can find loads of home office design ideas online or at shows like Grand Designs Live!
Is my Loft Suitable
If you want to turn your loft into an office, the tallest part of the roof inside needs to be at least 2.3 meters high. That’s about as tall as a doorway! We need that much space so we can put in insulation to keep it warm and build a nice ceiling inside. With finished ceilings, lofts usually have a 1.9-meter height. Too little height makes a loft feel cramped and unusable.
Also, you need to check if there’s enough room to walk around up there. You need enough space to put a rug down and still have room to move. We recommend you need at least 70 square feet of floor space. Your roof needs to be slanted enough. If it’s too flat, you won’t have enough headroom. Ideally you’ll want a roof to slant at least 30 degrees.
Your Budget
The cost of a loft conversion can vary depending on several factors, including where you live, the type of conversion, and any technical restrictions. The cost of a loft conversion can also change depending on the size of the roof alterations, access to the loft, finishes and furniture. Loft conversions in period buildings often require more investment due to their unique design and construction.
Insulation is super important to keep your office warm in winter and cool in summer. You’ll also need to think about electrical work and making sure everything is safe. Remember, safety regulations are there to keep everyone safe, so make sure you allow enough money for the background stuff on top of your furniture and furnishings.
Building Regulations
Even if you don’t need planning permission, your loft conversion has to follow building regulations. These rules are there to make sure the work is safe, that the new room won’t catch fire easily, and that you won’t hear too much noise from upstairs in the rooms below.
To ensure optimal fire safety in the new room, the installation of fire-resistant doors and mains-powered smoke alarms is mandatory. Structural integrity will be addressed by assessing and potentially reinforcing the existing floor joists to adequately support the room’s weight Finally, a dedicated staircase will be constructed to provide a safe and reliable means of egress in the event of a fire, as retractable staircases or ladders do not meet the required safety standards.
When adding new walls, it’s essential to ensure they can safely hold up any existing or new roofs, especially where older supports have been taken out. Also, all windows must be sized appropriately to serve as a safe escape in case of a fire. If you plan to install a new bathroom, please be aware that specific regulations apply to the plumbing and electrical work. Lastly, it’s important to comply with all rules concerning thermal insulation to keep the building energy efficient.
Get in Touch!
If you’re looking for a loft conversion in South West, or the nearby areas of Bath, Bristol, Chippenham, Corsham, Devizes, Keynsham, Trowbridge and Somerset. If you don’t live in any of the areas mentioned, get in contact with us or call 01225 432 317 and we’ll see what we can do! If you want to view examples of our previous work, then check out our gallery here. Our expert team at Loft Living look forward to hearing from you