Presuming you need more living or bedroom space therefore considering an attic conversion, the very first thing make sure you do is to check your local council's regulations.
Supposing there isn't such difficulties, take a torch, a ladder and a tape measure, squeeze through the manhole and look for the roof space.
If you can't stand up in the middle of the space, you'll have problems. The ideal roof pitch for any attic is from 32 to 38 degrees. If your roof isn't steep enough you can include headroom therefore increase the cost by raising the roof, or you might consider the alternative of adding another storey. check
flat roof Liverpool for more info .A top-storey addition might give you about a third extra space than an attic conversion but would probably cost a great deal more.
If you can stand up in the roof space, so far so good. Measure for height, and then, taking care to step only in the joists to avoid crashing through the ceiling, measure the floor area. If half of the area has headroom of 2.3 metres or even more, it likely suits most councils' regulations for an attic family room or bedroom.
If flashing the torch around reveals a forest of trusses, don't despair. Modern trussed roofs, with rows of triangular frames, are often more difficult to convert than older roof styles, however, it is still doable.
Some trusses will have to be removed to make space for the room, as well as other timbers strengthened. Just keep in mind the old chippies' saying, ``It's the roof that holds the house up", and have expert advice.
Similar goes for the ceiling timbers. They weren't constructed to carry a floor and will have to be reinforced.
In case you intend doing it yourself and not hiring a builder or attic conversion specialist, play it safe and first get yourself a building inspection by an architect or engineer.
The procedure involved including structural changes will be based on the purpose of the space or room.
If you wish an unpartitioned living area or bedroom, complications must be minimal. If you want to turn a huge attic into two separate rooms, you will have to consider where to place dividing walls and doors in order to provide separate access. And if you want to include a bathroom or toilet, linking into existing plumbing limits your layout options but can save a packet.
Regardless of the planned use on your attic, light and air are prime considerations. Attics are famously cosy however, there is such a thing to be too cosy dark, stuffy and claustrophobic. To make use of natural light and ventilation and views, if you're lucky aspect in standard windows, dormer windows, skylights or etc.
Standing in the roof space, you'll be reminded that heat rises. It might be 20 degrees hotter up there than below, so highly effective insulation is definitely important.And to reduce noise, plan to insulate the floor, too.
The space in between the ceiling and the new attic floor can also be handy for covering pipes and wiring.
Lastly, figure out where to put the staircase. Conventional staircases occupy a surprising amount of area therefore, the ideal site for your attic stair is an existing dead space such as a section of corridor or a cupboard. For houses with little or no space to spare, there are alternatives to the conventional staircase. A spiral staircase takes up much less room, or, if even that might be too cramped, you could choose for a fold-down ladder.