An attic conversion is a creative way of utilising lost space. Most homeowners consider converting their attic because they don’t have enough main living and storage spaces.
Attics are often cluttered, dark and dusty spaces that people forget about. But if you use that space wisely in your attic conversion, you can gain a lot of charm and additional storage for your home.
In this blog post, we have gathered all the main things you need to consider when planning an attic conversion, along with some lovely ideas for maximising that additional space.
Building Permits You Need to Consider for Your Attic Conversion
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Before you start any construction work on your attic, you have to check if you need any permits to do that.
If you live in Ireland, you have to know when you need planning permission. Since there are different types of conversions, in some cases, you will need permission, and in others, you won’t.
You don’t need permission for your attic conversion if:
- The conversion doesn’t change the appearance of your house.
- Windows are not installed on the front of the house.
- You don’t plan to change the roof structure.
In a nutshell, if your attic conversion project is only on the inside of the home, you don’t need permission. Some attic spaces just need a good cleaning and adding insulation and walls on the inside – for that, you don’t need a permit.
The cases in which you definitely need a permit for your attic conversion are:
- If you plan on adding dormer windows or altering the roof structure.
- You plan to add new windows on the front of the home.
- You plan on changing the height of the building or its external appearance.
- If your home falls under the category of protected structures.
If you plan on turning your attic into a habitable room, planning permission is also required. That’s because you need to meet all the habitable room standards under Irish law.
If you need additional information on loft conversion regulations, you can check out the comprehensive document by the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage of Ireland.
It doesn’t matter if you need a planning permission or not, all attic conversion have to comply with building regulations in Ireland. They focus on the structural integrity of the home, fire safety, ventilation and insulation, and access to the attic.
If you live in a historic building or a home with historical status, you need to check with your local authorities if an attic conversion is even possible. Buildings that fall in that category are oftentimes protected in their current state, and no changes can occur on the outside or the inside of the building.
Types of Loft Conversions
It’s time to start the planning. First off, you need to decide on what type of conversion you want. This will directly influence if you need a permit or not.
In this part of our blog publication, we have gathered all possible attic conversions.
Dormer Loft
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One of the most common choices for homeowners is the dormer loft conversion. This involves adding a box room structure onto the roof of your home. That way, you create walls and windows in the attic space. Dormer lofts also increase your headspace in the attic.
Depending on the type of dormer you want to add to your attic, there are different pros and cons to this renovation.
The biggest pros of dormer attic conversions are:
- Maximising space – you maximise the space in the attic, creating more headspace and floor space.
- Cost-effectiveness – generally, this type of renovation is easy to do.
- Versatility – Dormer loft softens the look, and it is good on any type of property.
- More natural light – adding dormers to your home with windows will significantly change the lighting in the attic.
The biggest con of this type of attic conversion is the structural impact on the existing building. Constructing a dormer loft may lead to structural reinforcements for the roof. This requires the help of attic conversion experts.
Mansard Loft
A mansard loft conversion is trickier, but adds significant amount of space to your attic. The mansard loft if typically done on the back of the house. This type of conversion has a horizontal roof and almost vertical walls.
One other key difference here is that you get a room-shaped space with significant height.
The pros of a mansard loft conversion are:
- Adding significant space in the attic.
- Allowing natural light into the attic space.
- Looks cohesive on all types of buildings.
- Increases property value.
If you plan on doing this type of conversion to your attic, you need to know the downside of this type of construction work.
The cons of a mansard loft conversion are:
- Costs a lot more money – typically, your loft conversions are more expensive because they include additional construction work.
- Usually, you need planning permission.
- It dramatically changes the overall look of the home.
This type of attic conversion is perfect for homeowners who seek to maximise the space in their homes.
Roof light Loft
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Roof light lofts are an easy and cost-effective way to transform your attic space and make it more habitable. This conversion includes adding skylight windows to your roof in order to let more light into the attic space.
The main benefits of this type of attic conversion include:
- A very cost-effective way to maximise the attic space.
- A faster process of installation.
- Doesn’t change the appearance of the home.
As you can see, roof light lofts are ideal for those homeowners who prioritize their budget and time, but want more space in their home.
The drawbacks of this conversion are:
- You have limited headroom because you’re not increasing the height of the roof.
- It’s not suitable for all types of roofs.
- It restricts usability, depending on the size and layout of your attic.
If you are considering adding a skylight to your attic, you have to remember one important thing: this type of conversion doesn’t add any visual curb appeal to your home. It’s essentially invisible from the outside.
Hip-to-Gable Loft
The hip-to-gable loft conversion includes a more complex approach to your attic space. If your home has a hip roof, this type of renovation will add significantly more space to your attic.
This type of conversion essentially means that you’re changing the type of roof you have from hip to gable. That way you gain one additional vertical wall in the attic and add more space in the process.
The biggest pro to this design is that it blends with the existing home very well. The biggest con is that the construction will take significantly more time and disrupt your daily life.
Modular Loft
A modular loft is probably the fastest way to gain more space in your attic. The whole construction of the loft is made elsewhere on site and when it’s ready, it’s attached to the building.
The modular loft conversion has a lot of cons, including:
- The cost efficiency – it’s faster and more cost-effective to order a modular loft for your home.
- Less construction time – it doesn’t need a lot of construction work done on the house.
One main benefit is that it has predictable costs because all the modules are made in a factory.
With that in mind, the cons of a modular loft include:
- No design options – most modular lofts are made on a big assembly line and look exactly the same.
- Transport options may be tricky – depending on the type of modular loft, you may experience some transportation challenges.
This type of loft is ideal for homeowners who need more space fast.
L-shaped Loft
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L-shaped lofts are trickier, but once they’re done, there are a lot of benefits. L-shaped lofts essentially mean two dormer lofts connected together in the shape of an L.
Considering the shape of the space, this type of loft is suitable only for certain properties.
The benefits of this type of loft include:
- Significant increase of liveable space in the attic.
- Enhanced property value
Oftentimes, this type of conversion is done by homeowners who need more space in their homes and don’t want to move house.
The main con of this type of conversion is the cost. Oftentimes, L-shaped lofts include the alteration of the whole roof of the property. This can be very expensive.
Guidelines for Planning Attic Conversions
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Devising a good plan for your attic conversion project can lead to better organisation and minimise the construction time of the building. That’s why it’s really important to go into the project very well prepared and with a thorough plan in mind.
Here, we have gathered all the steps you need to consider before starting your attic conversion project.
Assess if Your Attic Is Convertible
First off, you need to assess whether your attic is really convertible. This means checking the attic space in detail. If you have access to your home’s construction plans, you can check the structural integrity of the roof. That way, you can assess if a conversion is possible for your property.
If you need help converting your attic, you can always enlist the help of an attic conversion company. They will give you good advice, and the initial consultation will answer all your questions.
Check Building Regulations
The second step, of course, is to check the building regulations. If you plan on doing that yourself, you need to contact local and government authorities. When you have a detailed plan for your attic conversion, the process of assessing if you need permits or not is easier.
Oftentimes, checking if you need special permits includes a visit from a specialised architect or government assessor.
If you enlist the professional service of a construction company, these checks are often included in the price.
Plan Your Attic Design
Planning your attic design is probably the most interesting and creative part of the whole project. First, you need to decide what you are going to do with all that extra space. Do you want an extra bedroom with an en suite bathroom? Do you want a games room? Or maybe a relaxing space for the end of the day or a movie room?
A converted attic provides endless possibilities. They can become unique spaces where you can relax and spend time with family.
Depending on your choice and need, you will have a better understanding of the space and how to maximise the whole attic. This step also includes the decisions on what materials to use.
Check the Structural Integrity
The structural integrity of your home is the most important aspect of any renovation or conversion project. You have to make sure that your attic conversion doesn’t change the main structural elements of the home, such as columns or load-bearing beams.
If you plan on moving walls or installing new ones, you have to make sure that they are properly constructed, in order to comply with existing laws and regulations.
This step can be easily organised if you enlist the help of a professional construction company. They will tell you if there’s additional structural work to be done.
Optimise for Light and Ventilation
Light and ventilation in attic spaces is really important. Oftentimes, the attic is dark and unwelcoming. You have to carefully consider where you will put the windows in the attic in order to maximize natural light.
Ventilation is key for any attic conversion. Including a good ventilation system in your conversion plans is really important for the overall usability of this functional space.
Rework the Electrical and Plumbing Installations
Many renovation projects offer the possibility of reworking the electrical and plumbing installations of your home, and an attic conversion is no exception.
If you are considering adding an extra bathroom to your attic space, you need to make sure that all plumbing installations are up to code. Also, this is the best time to get rid of any old piping that may lead to a bigger problem in the future.
The same goes for your home’s electrical system. A professional electrician has to assess the current situation of the system and do any repairs if needed.
Add New Structural Elements
The attic conversion project is an ideal moment to add new structural elements to your home. They can assist the overall construction integrity of the building and can also act as wonderful design elements.
Homeowners often decide on leaving the existing roof steel beams exposed to add more character to the new space of the attic.
One other very good idea is to divide the space with walls. Oftentimes, when doing an attic conversion, you’re left with a big and empty roof space. Defining individual rooms with additional walls is a great way to make use of the space.
The new structural elements you will certainly need in any attic conversion is a staircase leading to the attic. Since the space is going to be used more frequently, you can choose a staircase that is not only functional, but also pleasing to the eye.
Choose the Flooring and Decoration
The flooring and decoration of the attic space rest solely on the preference of the homeowners.
A good way to make a space look even bigger than it is, is to use one type of flooring in the whole space. This way you will create an illusion that the attic is actually bigger than it is.
When considering the colour scheme of the whole attic, it’s best to stay with lighter colours and palettes. Even if you add more windows to the roof, the natural light can’t make its way into every small space in the attic. That’s why it’s important to choose lighter colours for your décor.
Tips on Optimising the Space for a Small Attic
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If you plan on converting your small attic into extra living space, there are a few tips and tricks to use along the way to maximise the whole space.
Here are our top tips for small attic spaces:
- Choose a lighter color scheme – this way you will make the space look bigger than it is and catch all the necessary natural light.
- Leave the construction of the roof exposed – not adding a ceiling to your attic space is one more way to make it look bigger. The exposed beams and construction of the roof will add more vertical space and make the room appear bigger.
- Utilize all storage space – if you have parts of your small attic that are not really accessible, consider adding storage there. You can cupboards, wardrobes, open-shelving even, to truly maximize the space.
- Use big design elements – a big clock or a painting on the wall can make the small room appear bigger.
- Define the different areas of the space – defining the different areas of the space with furniture or décor can make the attic look more organised and well-maintained than it is.
Even if you have a small attic, you can still convert it into liveable space if you want to.
How Long Will a Conversion Take
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Attic conversion time differs significantly, depending on the type of conversion you want. Construction work can be difficult and time-consuming, disrupting your daily life and routine. However, there are things that you can do to speed up the process.
Here are some tips on how to optimise the construction time:
- Have a thorough plan for your attic conversion.
- Set up a timeline of events and the end date of the construction.
- Clean up the attic before the construction team arrives.
- Have a transparent relationship with your contractors, so they will be able to do their jobs more easily and quickly.
For a precise time schedule for your conversion, you should talk with your construction team.
How Much Does an Attic Conversion Cost on Average?
The cost of the whole attic conversion also depends on the type of conversion.
If you are on a tight budget, then you may consider putting in dormers or a modular loft in your home. This way you will significantly cut the cost of construction.
Having a detailed plan for the attic conversion is also another way to cut costs. Remember, a good construction budget is one that foresees hidden spending. A good rule for that is when you come up with a number for your overall budget, to add 20 per cent on top of hidden costs.
If you are planning an attic conversion in the Cork or Galway area, do not hesitate to contact our experienced team at IVCG Construction.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Do I need permission to convert my attic?
This depends on the type of conversion you want. The simplest rule is that if your conversion leads to outside changes of the house, you probably need a permit.
What is the cheapest option for attic conversion?
The cheapest option for attic conversion is the module loft.
Can I do the attic conversion myself?
Attic conversion can be tricky and really hard to do, so in this case, it’s best to call attic conversion specialists.
