Why Must Loft Conversion Include Proper Insulation
by Mark Row
Why is Insulation Always a Must?
Due to the fact that many people are trying to find alternative ways of extending their home in order of either providing their family more living space or only increasing the resale value of their property, loft conversions have become a very popular project nowadays. Namely, instead of moving into a larger house, people are rather willing to invest into home extension and conversion projects simply because this can be less expensive and certainly less stressful. However, hiring a building company that will undertake the redesigning and remodeling work is only one aspect of the entire project. Another one that most certainly should not be neglected is that loft conversion must include proper insulation.
Loft Conversion
The first thing you need to do when undertaking such a massive project is detailed planning. Namely, it is very important that you take into account each aspect, all in order of determining not only the steps that will need to be taken but also carefully plan your budget. The good news is that there are professional building companies that can assist you every step of the way, starting from the design of your new loft space over the construction work to details such as plumbing, flooring etc. You can surf the net and try to find the most favorable offer.
Your plans should always include the decision on what you are going to convert your loft into, since this will make a difference. It is not all the same whether you are converting the loft into a bedroom, an office space or only a storage room, since some alterations are more complex and thus more expensive. For example, turning your loft into a bedroom or a guest room will include setting up a separate shower room or a bathroom which should always be taken into account. On the other hand, this will not be the case if you only need some additional storage space, where you will have to take care of the lighting, access point and a staircase (or a ladder).
Finally, another thing that you will have to keep in mind is the applicable regulation. Namely, massive reconstruction work usually requires special permit issued by the local authority, so make sure to check whether such permit is necessary. Also, applicable regulation set certain standards concerning same safety issues, including adequate fire protection, escape plan and of course proper loft insulation. We believe that all these factors should be included into your investment assessment so if you are hiring a professional for the job, always make sure to have all the facts straight.
Loft Insulation
Now, if you are serious about turning your loft space into a comfortable place to live in or making sure that your home will be able to sell well on the market, it is vital that you always include proper loft insulation. Although, this will initially increase your costs, it will have a tremendous impact on future savings, not to mention the fact that people are usually willing to pay more money for a house that has already been protected by insulation. Another valuable fact is that if you are only undertaking some minor reconstruction work (e.g. turning your loft into a storage space) you can probably add insulation yourself. Basically, all you have to do is purchase some rock wool or, as an eco-friendly alternative, sheep wool (usually packed into slabs or rolls and lay it between the joists. However, opt for this type of loft insulation only if you are not planning on using the loft as a living space. Namely, by insulating the under roof space, you will cut off the potential heat supply from the bottom floors. As said before, if you are using the space for only storing your old items, this can be a good thing since this way you will stop not only the heat transfer but also prevent the cold from the loft traveling downstairs and affecting the inner temperature stability.
On the other hand, if you are planning more serious reconstruction work and converting your loft into a habitable space, this may be the perfect opportunity to add some external wall insulation to your loft (read more here). Basically, this way you will be protecting your newly constructed bedroom from the harmful exterior effects but still maintain the connection with the bottom floors. Since adding loft external wall insulation involves some reconstruction work, this way you can use the fact that you will need to carry on the reconstruction anyway, so use the opportunity to add insulation and thus lower your costs. The good news here is the fact that there are complete exterior wall insulation systems available meaning that you only need to find the most suitable distributer (click here for London insulation) and order all the components included in such system. If you are wondering how you will profit from proper loft insulation, just note the following:
- it can further on increase the sale value of the property;
- it will contribute to the overall comfort and temperature stability;
- it will help in prevention of moisture and condensation;
- it will contribute to money saving on the long run, by improving your home’s energy efficiency;
- it will lower the carbon footprint of your household.
For more information about loft insulation materials and which ones are perfect for your loft conversion projects, please read related blog articles and product descriptions on our website, and feel free to contact us with your questions.