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Loft or attic

14 replies

humblebea · 29/11/2025 11:25

Inspired by getting the Christmas decorations down, do you call the space at the top of your house the loft or the attic?

OP posts:
BootMaker · 29/11/2025 11:27

They're different things. A loft is a roofspace that is accessed through a hatch with a ladder. An attic is a floor at the top of the house accessed by a normal staircase and has rooms with windows.

TeenToTwenties · 29/11/2025 11:27

I always think of lofts as accessible by a ladder, and attics by a hidden staircase.

GETTINGLIKEMYMOTHER · 29/11/2025 11:27

Loft. Must get the decs down, so I can see whether the tree lights are working. Easy to get up there since dh installed a pull-down extending ladder.

DayOfSummer · 29/11/2025 11:28

Loft (ours has a hatch and ladder)

BootMaker · 29/11/2025 11:28

TeenToTwenties · 29/11/2025 11:27

I always think of lofts as accessible by a ladder, and attics by a hidden staircase.

Why hidden? Most attics have a visible and unhidden staircase...

TeenToTwenties · 29/11/2025 11:29

BootMaker · 29/11/2025 11:28

Why hidden? Most attics have a visible and unhidden staircase...

Don't know. That's just how I think of them. Smile

BootMaker · 29/11/2025 11:40

TeenToTwenties · 29/11/2025 11:29

Don't know. That's just how I think of them. Smile

Probably from books you read as a child, there was often a hidden attic waiting to be discovered!

Talipesmum · 29/11/2025 12:01

Yeah, I think an attic is a proper floor with room/s, up in the roof, but old fashioned and not like a loft conversion. A loft is a storage space.

But I am pretty sure that’s just how I think about it - I don’t think that’s really correct as “loft rooms” are a thing.

IAmKerplunk · 29/11/2025 12:10

A loft you have to crawl around in and not much space. An attic you can walk around in.

Seoidin · 29/11/2025 12:11

Attic. Loft is for barns.

cathyandclaire · 05/03/2026 09:36

We have an attic, it has rooms and a staircase. I think a loft is accessed by a hatch or a room that was accessed by a hatch and has been converted.

Sunshineandgrapefruit · 05/03/2026 15:59

Loft. Northwest if that helps?

Ineffable23 · 05/03/2026 16:01

Talipesmum · 29/11/2025 12:01

Yeah, I think an attic is a proper floor with room/s, up in the roof, but old fashioned and not like a loft conversion. A loft is a storage space.

But I am pretty sure that’s just how I think about it - I don’t think that’s really correct as “loft rooms” are a thing.

Agree with this.

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