Heating Your Loft Conversion
Although loft conversions provide the ideal way to tailor your home to meet your needs, there is one common drawback that occurs every year during the autumn and winter months: a rapid drop in temperature; when temperatures plummet, your loft will be the first to suffer the full effects.
But you don’t have to put up with the cold this winter as we’ve come up with some great ways for you to heat your loft conversion, so you can take full advantage of it no matter what time of the year it is.
Insulate
During the loft conversion process, the roof should be well insulated. If the existing roof covering is being kept, insulation should be placed between and on the face of the rafters to lower the ceiling height. Alternatively, if you are replacing the roof covering, you will need to insulate over the rafters using a good roofing membrane that is air permeable and waterproof, to create a ‘warm roof’.
You can contact your local building authority in order to find out the insulation requirements you need to meet so you can properly insulate your loft room.
Underfloor heating
For a touch of luxury, underfloor heating is a great feature to any room. Although more expensive than the standard radiator method of heating a room, it does have its advantages. It takes up literally no extra space, letting you take full advantage of any wall space for furniture items. You can also choose whichever hard flooring option you’d like, rather than being put off because of the cold temperatures of slate or tiles, for instance.
It functions by carrying warm water through copper pipes that run beneath surface of the floor. This allows the heat to then rise and spread around the room, leaving everything cosy and warm.
Towel rails
For those of you converting your loft into a bathroom, towel rails are the perfect way to heat not only your towels, but the room too. However, if towels are permanently kept on the radiator, this may restrict the amount of heat flowing around the room, so we recommend using heated towel rails in conjunction with underfloor heating, for a truly warm and pleasant bathroom.
Radiators:
Traditional
Certain heating systems can accommodate for loft radiators, whereas others cannot and will need to either be upgraded or changed (if you are using the loft space as a bathroom, the boiler will most likely need to be upgraded).
Radiators take up space, and if your loft is on the small side, it is worth considering this before you go ahead and make the decision. Traditional radiators may not be hugely aesthetically pleasing, but overall they serve their purpose and you can always invest in radiator covers to improve their appearance, if you so wish.
Statement
Functioning in the same way as a traditional radiator, a statement radiator can provide just as much heat, and can only be differentiated by its appearance. Available in various shapes and sizes, they can squeeze into even the smallest of spaces. Depending on the decor of the room it is intended for, you can guarantee to find a finish that suits your style, whether it’s chrome, painted or even a patterned finish.
NK Lofts are leading specialists in loft conversions for customers in Northampton, Peterborough, Coventry and the surrounding areas. For specialist advice and information from the loft conversion experts, please do not hesitate to contact the team here at NK Lofts today.