Thursday 19th January 2017

Many of us have attic space that we don’t use to its full potential. We use it to store clothes, Christmas decorations or we just don’t use it at all. But what you are missing out on is an opportunity to not only create extra room in your home but to increase the market value of your house. It’s a win-win situation.

Do your research

Converting your attic can be as simple as you want it to be. By simply installing insulation, painting the walls and laying some loft boards you can make a non-usable room, usable. There are three main types of attic conversions to consider when you begin the planning process. They are Dormer, Hip to Gable and Mansard. Pick the one that best suits your house shape and your conversion needs. Some homes might cater to more than one type so make sure to do your research and pick the one that will work best.

Flooring Options

When it comes to choosing your flooring options, our loft boards are the perfect choice. They are easy to install and safe for everyday use. To make measuring these loft boards even easier we have a brand new product – The eTape16. It comes with a large, easy to read digital screen and has the ability to take inside measurements and find the centre of any object or dimension. 

Attic Insulation

With so many insulation products on the market it can be tough to find the one to suit your needs. On homevalue.ie we have a range of top quality insulations to choose from. We have everything from floor to wall insulation as well as attic specific types. Make sure that the type you are using is fit to purpose and bear in mind that certain insulation types take up more room and can be more expensive to fit. Consult with your builder before purchasing any insulation and our Homevalue staff will be on hand to make your insulation purchase as smooth as can be. See our insulation range here. 

Attic Access

After you have decided on the type of conversion you want you need to start thinking about how you are going to access this part of your house. For many homeowners, space can be limited and so building a staircase is out of the question. To get around the space issue the best option is to install a loft ladder. A loft ladder can be easily folded up into the ceiling so you don’t lose space on the floor below. The Oman Loft Ladder is the perfect one to use. It has a foldable staircase that can be taken down and retracted when needed with minimal effort. The special grooves in the steps guarantees a safe ascent and descent. The thermal finish ensures that you do not need to worry about any drafts or loss of heat. Find your local Homevalue store by clicking here.

Tips to Remember

• Consult your local County Council and make all necessary applications for planning permission before you begin your renovations
• Always use certified builders and tradesmen to carry out the work
• A certificate of compliance from an engineer will also be needed to state that your attic conversion will be built to building standards and regulations
• A basic attic conversion can take anywhere from 10 -14 days so bare this in mind when beginning the application process and plan it around times that suit your schedule
• Your local Homevalue store is packed with all the tools you need to get started on your conversion. Our staff members are on hand to provide top advice so make sure to pop into your local store before you begin your first DIY project of 2017
• We’d love to see the finished product. Share your attic conversion images with us over on Facebook