This Loft Conversion Guide Will Allow You To

A trussed roof will have its timber trusses built in a ‘W’ shape.This type of loft is more difficult to convert and you will be wise to consult a structural engineer early in your planning process. So, naturally enough, choosing the right builder for the loft conversion very important.Measuring vertically from a joist to the ridge in the center of the loft you will ideally need 8 feet of space though seven feet can be OK.Once your builder, or yourself, has acquired building regulations approval and the actual building work is underway - don't relax! Even if your builder is doing everything this is still your project. You are the project manager.Nevertheless, there are certain things to consider when choosing a builder but the best piece of advice is to keep your ears open. Make sure you keep on top of everything, especially the budget, and ensure that the work is being carried out correctly.If your property was built before 1965 your roof will almost certainly have been built using purlins and rafters. There are lots of specialist loft conversion companies out there who provide a great service. Remember. And, despite the horror stories on TV and in the newspapers, the vast majority of builders are honest and hardworking.. This is crucial.More people than ever are choosing to utilize their roof space instead of moving house and a new loft room can not only be a great addition to the property but will also add a lot of value to the house.If in doubt about the standard of work contact your local authority building control officer.Adding that value to the property will only happen if the project is well managed and constructed.And, if your house is very new, built after 2000, then your roof may have more steel than timber trusses which makes a conversion much easier. A poor builder can always walk away - you have to live there.This Loft Conversion Guide will allow you to judge whether your currently empty roof space can be converted into that extra room you have always dreamed about.And, the good news, is that most lofts in the UK will be suitable for conversion though, naturally, some will be easier to work with than others.As a very general rule of thumb the older the house the more roof space you are likely to have as in the past the tendency was to build houses with a much steeper pitched roof than is normal today. In the building trade word of mouth is by the best and most reliable advertising. If your home was built after 1965 then it is likely that it was built with a trussed roof.The first step is to get up into the roof space, remembering to take a tape measure with you, and find out how much headroom you have.Next, you need to determine how your roof was built. If a neighbor has had a loft conversion built ask them if they would recommend their builder but don’t just ask one person – ask as many as you can. The problem with a trussed roof is that the very much lower pitch makes a loft conversion difficult – but not impossible..