Tips for a loft conversion!

[mintich]

We are looking to convert our loft into a master bedroom plus ensuite.
Does anyone have any advice either must have or regrets?

[TheTopSlice]

Not had one myself but check out this guy very innovative solution.

[TheNationsFavourite]

I used these people, years ago. They were brilliant - I'm not on commission and no relations!! We had a master bedroom and ensuite and it was beautiful. We had the door at the bottom so that you walked up into the room and it was very successful - nice open feeling.

[TheNationsFavourite]

www.trussloft.co.uk/

[LadyCatStark]

Ours isn’t converted, it’s brand new and was build to have the master bedroom and en-suite in the loft area. It’s bloody loud... the wind howls (were near the sea too so get a lot of wind), the rain beats of the food and velux windows, something random bangs on he side of the house constantly when it’s windy. We’ve had a few sleepless nights since we moved and tried to decamp to the spare room but then we were unsettled.

We had our pick of a few different designs of the same size house and if we could have our pick again, I’d choose one with 2 bedrooms and a Jack and Jill bathroom upstairs and shove DS up there as he has glue ear and can sleep through anything!

[YetAnotherBeckyMumsnet]

@mintich we've moved this over to Chat, as requested.

[mintich]

We did think about putting two kids rooms up there, but settled on master bedroom now

[TeenPlusTwenties]

We have a double bedroom plus ensuite.

• put velux windows so they are either side of where the bed will be, this gives you extra headroom when getting an and out of bed.
  
• similarly velux window above the basin in the ensuite for headroom
  
• we had a narrow bannister fitted to give maximum width on the stairs, and had the stairs as far over as we could to provide extra 2 inches in the bathroom
  
• they said we needed 2 radiators to 'balance' the room. We let them put in the pipes but only had one fitted (the other would have made cupboard access harder), room is warm as toast
  
• they said we'd need a new boiler for the extra radiators - we didn't have it and we don't need it
  
• under eaves storage is great
  
• as many windows as you can afford if you have a nice view. We have 8 in the bedroom (2 by the bed and then a bank of 2x3 opposite on the side with the view). It was an extravagance at the time, but is fab.

[ASchuylerSister]

We didn’t put an en suite in ours. We have the bathroom coming off the landing. This way, no one has to go through our bedroom to use the loo/shower and also you gain a wall in your bedroom for furniture etc.

[TheNationsFavourite]

put velux windows so they are either side of where the bed will be, this gives you extra headroom when getting an and out of bed

Do you mean dormer windows? Velux won't give you extra headroom - though I agree with having the windows either side of the bed.

And yes, I remember, it does get very toasty up there as all the heat rises!

[Catsick36]

We have two large rooms after converting the loft. We struggle for storage even with eaves space. Go for hip to gable and dormer to maximise the space.
Get several companies in, we did. The guy we went for spent a couple of hours with us designing the space and had software to help him design the staircase to fit. He was slightly more expensive but soo worth it and so professional. He's spoilt us for future trades now.
Spend time looking at projects your candidates are currently working on and speak to the homeowners.
Don't decorate for a year as the building with move settling in and cause cracks in your plaster.

[TeenPlusTwenties]

@TheNationsFavourite

put velux windows so they are either side of where the bed will be, this gives you extra headroom when getting an and out of bed

Do you mean dormer windows? Velux won't give you extra headroom - though I agree with having the windows either side of the bed.

And yes, I remember, it does get very toasty up there as all the heat rises!

The velux does give you extra headroom.
Draw yourself a sloping roof but with thickness for the roof beams, insulation etc.
Then remove all but the outer layer.
You get quite a bit of extra vertical height, it makes a surprising amount of difference.

[HotChoc10]

@catsick36 if you happen to be in London I'd love the recommendation!

[Catsick36]

I'm in Kent not sure if they go into London.
www.toploftcompany.com/gallery.html

It's TopLoft loft conversions

[mintich]

We are definitely going for hip to gable and dormer windows. Luckily we have outbuildings for storage but obviously we still need normal bedroom storage