With more people planning to work from home in the future, homeowners are looking at how to create more space within their properties, with loft conversions offering an excellent solution. Here, David Saxby, Senior Category Manager at IronmongeryDirect, looks at how to help customers achieve this and make the most of their new space.
A recent survey report from Rated People revealed that 8% of homeowners had carried out a loft conversion in 2020 and a further 10% said it was part of their plan for 2021. Given recent lifestyle shifts driven by the COVID-19 pandemic, with homeowners looking to utilise space and accommodate new working from home patterns, it is unsurprising that this home improvement project is a popular undertaking. However, it is important for the design and construction to optimise the use of space and ensure the safety of homeowners.
Fire considerations
The fire regulations for loft conversions depend on the number of storeys and overall height of the property. One of the key aims of Approved Document B of the Building Regulations is to ensure there is a viable means of escape from all habitable rooms. Where the conversion will create a new storey below 4.5 metres, such as for bungalows, the requirements are relatively simple. All of the new rooms created at the first-floor level must have an escape window of at least 450mm by 450mm. The assumption is that if the stairway is blocked by fire, occupants can safely escape or be rescued from the first floor.
For new storeys above 4.5 metres, such as loft conversions for a two storey house, the entire escape route must be protected with fire doors that are at least E20 and fire resisting partitions with a minimum REI 30 rating. This means that where the proposed escape route goes through an open plan area it must be enclosed with suitable partitioning. Also, all doors along the route must meet this standard, so it may require replacing or upgrading existing doors. The regulations also require mains-powered, linked smoke detectors on each floor of the property.
There is an alternative approach to a fully enclosed escape route where the layout of the building makes this impractical. This requires sprinkler protection to be added to the open-plan areas as well as the installation of a fire resisting partition (minimum REI 30) and door (minimum E20) to separate the ground floor from those above. Occupants of the loft room should have access to a first storey escape window. Finally, any cooking facilities in the open plan area must be separated from the rest of the space with fire resisting partitioning.
Optimising the space
One of the biggest challenges for loft conversion projects is maximising the usable space and making use of small or awkward areas. One of the ways this can be achieved is with the correct choice of doors. Sliding and pocket doors are ideal as they minimise the amount of clear floor space needed to open and close the door. This enables more flexibility for the placement of furniture, fixtures and fittings. Pocket doors, which slide into the wall cavity, offer a neat and uncluttered look, and are simple to install with kits available for a range of different finished wall thicknesses. Similarly, bi-fold cabinet doors can be an excellent, space saving alternative to standard options for built in wardrobes.
More innovative approaches to creating storage space may also be required for awkward areas. For example, eaves are ideal for creating integrated sliding drawers which allow easy access to stored items. Heavy duty runners, including longer versions up to 700 mm, can help maximise the utility of these recesses. Also, narrow vertical areas can be turned into useable wardrobe space through the use of telescopic hanging rails and wardrobe lifts, which allow clothes to be stored in areas that would normally be less accessible, such as above the normal zone of reach. These rail lift systems use hydraulic assisted mechanisms to allow the rail to be pulled down, enabling the user to easily add or remove items and then neatly return the rail to its original location.
Finally, techniques to conjure the feeling of more space can be applied to the new area. Reducing the number of barriers, such as full height dividing walls, is one way this can be achieved, while the strategic use of glass is another option. For example, fitting glass balustrades on stairways leading up to the new storey could be used to create the perception of fewer barriers whilst making the space feel more open. There are a range of kits available to make installation simple.
Loft conversions are a popular and effective way of creating more space within a home, which has become increasingly important. However, it requires a considered approach to ensure it is completed in line with regulations and meets the needs of the homeowners.
All of the above solutions are available at IronmongeryDirect, which has a range of over 18,000 products in stock with flexible delivery options, so professionals can get the products required, exactly when they are needed. To find out more visit www.ironmongerydirect.co.uk.
