Will The Ceiling Under My Loft Conversion Need To Be Upgraded Or Altered?

Description – Find out more about why loft conversions involve upgrades and alterations to the ceiling they sit above in order to get the best results.

Loft conversions in south london are fantastic home improvements that add extra functional space to a home without taking away valuable garden space. They can also often be quicker and more convenient than a house extension and are likely to add value to your home, too.

Despite all the benefits that loft conversions bring, and the expertise professional loft conversion companies have, it still makes sense as a homeowner to be aware of the construction process and associated factors as much as possible, before you give the go-ahead. The more you know, the more control you have over the likelihood that you get absolutely fantastic results.

“A goal without a plan is just a wish” – Antoine De Saint-Exupery

One of the most common aspects of loft conversion that homeowners are unaware of is the requirement for the ceiling underneath the conversion to be adjusted in some way. When you aren’t a builder or an architect, it’s natural not to be aware of the structural aspects of a loft space or how they may need to be changed to accommodate a loft conversion.

However, it’s important to be aware of those structural considerations in relation to this kind of home improvement, because those structures and any adjustments are, in part, what makes (or what needs to make) the loft space safe, strong, and functional. The existing loft structure and the way it is adapted may also impact the ceiling height of the rooms underneath the loft, too, which is really important to keep in mind as that isn’t always an option available to each home, or an option some homeowners would be willing to choose.

To help you feel a little more clued up about this particular aspect of loft conversions, let’s take a closer look at adjustments or upgrades you may need to do to the ceiling underneath your loft during the conversion process:

Advice Always Comes First

In the majority of cases, loft conversion work requires advice and guidance from a range of professionals, including architects, structural engineers and builders. This is why it makes sense to use a professional loft construction company who have lots of professionals within their team or contacts, so that the process of planning is streamlined. A large portion of planning will be dedicated to the flooring structure of the conversion to ensure that it is safe and able to hold the weight of the building materials, furniture, people, and use of the space.

Structural Implications

With most loft conversions there will be extra floor joists added along with new beams and, potentially, further support to ensure that the new structure is perfectly safe. There is also a need for insulation to be added for energy efficiency regulations and soundproofing. Certain materials may also need to be added or adjusted to meet fire safety regulations.

In the event that there are complicated aspects of the roof, a structural engineer will need to be involved to help work around problems like trussed roof rafters that cannot have the truss removed. These kinds of issues need a creative and experienced structural engineer who can work out if the loft conversion can still be completed safely without compromising the safety of the loft itself, and potentially the rest of the home, too.

Fire Regulation Upgrades

To meet modern fire regulations the first floor of your home (or higher floors depending on which one meets the loft conversion) will likely need the materials upgraded. That means that there could be additions like staggered joints and a certain thickness of plasterboard added. However, the existing floor (plus new structural changes for strength and safety) might be accepted if certain measures (some or all) are present such as:

• The new loft conversion area is not bigger than 50 meters squared
• The floor has a certain plasterboard thickness or finish that means it already provides a minimum of 30 minutes of fire resistance
• Only one new floor is being added with one to two rooms maximum

Will I Need My First Floor Ceiling Lowered When I Have A Loft Conversion?

If your roof is lower than 2.2 meters from the top of the ceiling joists to the middle point of the roof (the ridge) then a loft conversion is likely to be impossible, or at least very challenging to complete.

To get around this problem, you need to extend the amount of space available to utilize for the conversion. You can do this with certain types of conversion where the roof is adjusted, and/ or with adjustment to your existing first-floor ceilings.

With ceiling adjustments for loft conversions, you can remove the ceiling completely and have it replaced at a lower level, preserving the liveable space on the first floor whilst also creating enough space in the loft to make that a liveable space, too.

Lowering your first-floor ceilings is not a decision to be taken lightly. A professional loft conversion company should talk you through all of the potential issues with this kind of decision and should never breeze past it. As with any building adjustment there are some negatives you need to consider and here are some of the most common types associated with lowering ceilings:

• Period properties may lose some of the existing characters such as original ceiling roses, or cornicing
• Homes without extremely high ceilings could end up feeling more closed in/ claustrophobic
• Various structural additions need to be made which means a structural engineer has to be involved, which could prolong the planning of the project
• You usually have to move out of the property when ceilings are lowered
• More mess is likely to be made with ceilings being lowered

Of course, with the right loft conversion company on board, the process of planning and consideration will be as easy as possible, and minimally disruptive. They can also take you through the various options that you have, including various workarounds when you have a roof that doesn’t leave a lot of space for conversion.

Speak To The Experts For More Information About Ceilings & Your Loft Conversion

In reality, every home is different and every homeowner has a different budget, desired timescale, and preferred results for their home improvement project. A different selection of loft conversion results exists for every property, including various options and demands placed on the first-floor ceilings.

To find out what your property potential is when it comes to loft conversions, speak to the experts. Clapham Construction Service is a team of experienced, trusted loft construction professionals who can provide you with all you need to get a transparent and detailed understanding of your property’s loft conversion potential. With the right information, you can then take the next steps to get the beautiful, functional, valuable loft conversion you’ve always dreamed of.