How Much Room Can You Gain on an Attic Conversion?

Performing an attic conversion is a fantastic way to increase your home’s overall space and value. Once seen as dusty, empty rooms only used for storage, attics have been transformed into functional living spaces, like a new bedroom or office.

You might wonder how much room you can gain on an attic conversion. The answer to this question will vary since the results will rely on several factors, particularly the house shape, roof dimensions, and the type of conversion.

How Much Room Can You Gain on an Attic Conversion?

Homeowners commonly dream and imagine the many possible ways they can decorate their future roof space. You might start thinking about plans that can work out what’s doable, but you need to understand that the current size of your loft might hold back your dream large bedroom.

There is no straightforward way to assess the amount of room homeowners can get from an attic conversion. As mentioned, the resulting space will depend on the following crucial factors:

The Shape of the House

The overall shape of your house plays a significant part in determining the size of your attic and, consequently, the resulting conversion measurements. The way your home is built establishes what your new living space will possibly look like.

The Roof Structure

The existing roof structure is the primary driver of available space in the attic. Certain roof shapes might provide limited headroom, while others can give you ample enough usable space.

Below is a list of common roof types based on various architectural styles:

• Gable Roofs – Gable roofs are common in traditional house styles. Due to their triangular shape, this type of roof provides more usable space for converting.
• Mansard Roofs – this roof type is usually associated with French architecture and is often punctuated by dormer windows. Their steep slopes allow for additional living areas in the attic.
• Saltbox Roofs – Found in colonial American homes, saltbox roofs are known for their asymmetrical shapes with varying slopes. While interestingly shaped, this roof type sacrifices plenty of much of the available space.
• Hip Roofs – This versatile roof type is found in various architectural styles, appearing as a pyramid-like shape. Hip roofs typically undergo hip-to-gable conversions, where the hipped end is transformed into a gable end, allowing more internal room.

You should also consider the pitch of your roof. To put it simply, the pitch refers to the steepness of the roof’s slope, which may possess higher or lower ceiling height. Steeper pitches have reduced head space, while shallow ones have larger usable space.

Upgrading with Dormer Windows

Sloped roofs benefit from dormer windows. Dormer windows are vertical windows that extend from the existing roof structure, allowing increased square footage. These roof features are commonly installed in mansard, hip, and gable roofs to enhance their limited space.

The Conversion Type

A critical aspect to remember when converting an attic is to determine its main purpose. Specific conversion plans need little space to fulfil their role in the house, while others might require additional room to accommodate the needs of those who will use it.

The average conversion – often bedrooms and playrooms – divides the attic into two spaces: the main room and a bathroom. Large attics with mansard roofs will have no problem adding the bathroom, but you might need to invest in a dormer window if your loft is small.

If you are converting your attic into a home office, a gym, or storage, you might not require a bathroom. These conversion types allow you to use all available square footage without needing a divider.

Attic Conversion FAQs

Can I Convert My Unfinished Attics?

Most conversions are done on finished attics since they have all the basic structures needed for a living space. If your attic is unfinished, you will need additional construction work to install flooring, walls, insulation, plumbing, and electricals.

What are the Benefits of Dormer Windows?

Besides increasing the space in your attic room, dormer windows can enhance natural light access and ventilation. These traits are ideal for lofts converted into living spaces since they ensure comfort for whoever will stay in there.

Turn Your Dusty Attic into a Valuable Room

To summarise, the amount of room your attic conversion project will get largely depends on the roof structure and the type of conversion you want. Smaller homes with steep roof pitches might have smaller usable space, but you can install dormer windows to increase the total area. Plus, the more rooms you need in an attic, the bigger space it will consume.

Understanding the specific needs of your attics and aligning them with your conversion goals is best performed with a professional. Partner with Attic Plus – one of Australia’s fastest-growing companies – to obtain the best advice and services for all your attic needs.