New dream home through

Roof extension

Valuable living space lies dormant under many roofs. Especially in times of housing shortages, it's a shame to use an attic only as storage space. If the room height is sufficient, some areas offer space to extend the existing living area by one or two rooms, or perhaps even to create a completely new flat. In this way, a real dream home can be created under the roof.

Planning

Optimum planning is essential for a loft conversion. A good concept will save you time, money and nerves. However, please note that planning permission is required in most federal states,

  • if an existing residential unit such as a house or flat is extended
  • if the external appearance of a building is changed, for example through dormer windows
  • if it is a listed building

What basic things need to be considered when fitting out?

1

Hire a professional

With loft conversions, as with all complex building projects, you should involve professionals. An architect or structural engineer can provide information on the structural requirements and also have valuable tips for a skillful use of space. However, if you want to do it yourself, you should consult a specialist beforehand and have the building fabric checked.

2

Replace insulation

Energy modernisation is crucial for loft conversions, as the Building Energy Act sets out strict requirements for thermal insulation and energy efficiency. Intermediate or under-rafter insulation and a wide range of insulation materials offer customisation options for various applications.

3

Consider sound insulation

If the attic is rented out as a separate flat or houses the children's rooms, sound insulation of the floor is important. Impact sound insulation as an underlay under the floor covering can help. You don't want to hear every sound of the children playing, for example.

4

Let light in

A light-flooded attic creates a magical atmosphere. Roof windows are the most cost-effective option for providing sufficient light. Dormer windows enlarge the space, but require professional installation. Additional windows in the gable areas offer a beautiful view. Roof loggias allow you to sit outside, but also require professional work.

What to look out for in the various rooms under the roof?

  • Bedroom

    Cosiness under sloping walls is like a nest - a place for a cosy bedroom and an oasis of calm. As storage space is limited with sloping ceilings, it is a good idea to install large windows. Not to be forgotten: A smoke alarms such as the Busch-Smoke Alarm Detector should be installed in the bedroom. Ideally, this should be positioned horizontally and as centrally as possible in the room. In the case of sloping ceilings with an inclination of more than 20 per cent, the detector should be installed at a distance of 50 to a maximum of 100 centimetres from the roof peak.

    Mehr zum Busch-Rauchalarm®

  • Living area

    Open-plan living spaces appear more spacious and brighter, especially in the attic. Sliding doors and glass doors create a more spacious feel and bring more light into the room. Make sure that the most frequented walking area is located where the room is full height. You can build customised built-in cupboards and shelves under the sloping ceilings to save space. Don't forget the smoke alarm in the living area, either.

  • Bathroom

    With good planning, a bathroom with a sloping roof can be optimally utilised, for example by placing the toilet and bathtub under the slope. A room height of 150 centimetres is sufficient here and if the bath is positioned under the skylight, you still have a great view. Customised solutions make it possible to fulfil many wishes even in the smallest of spaces or with an angled floor plan, for example with made-to-measure shelves for niches and corners.

  • Kitchen

    The kitchen should be planned to be both functional and cosy. The lower walls lend themselves to an open-plan kitchen. This makes the room appear larger when it flows seamlessly into the living or dining area. You can create a visual boundary with a counter or shelving unit. Hanging cabinets are often not possible. You have to be creative and combine conventional cabinets with customised versions.

Tips for the design

  • Place low furniture, i.e. flat sofas, long sideboards and deep coffee tables, to maximise the distance between the furniture and the ceiling. This trick makes the rooms appear much higher. Another strategy: place particularly tall furniture, such as a slim shelf. This visually emphasises the vertical line of the room. Where space is in short supply, flexible furniture or customised solutions are needed, for example folding tables and stools can be stowed away easily. Cupboards with sliding doors blend seamlessly into the room.

  • Use light colours. They reflect the light better, low ceilings don't feel oppressive, and they make your home feel more spacious. The best ceiling colour for low rooms is white. The neutral and unobtrusive basic tone can be ideally combined with all other colours. Light-coloured tones on the walls make the room appear larger than it actually is. You can further emphasise this effect with the right floor covering. Whichever colour you choose: The ceiling should always be lighter than the walls to visually open up the room.

  • Tarpaulin with built-in furniture. These are perfect for small, angled attic spaces and practical storage space wonders. Niches and corners, sloping ceilings and a low knee height (the floor space until the sloping roof begins) are ideal for creating storage space.

  • Go for a combination of direct and indirect light. This will make it really cosy under the roof. A flexible and practical lighting solution is a screwed lighting track with adjustable LED spots and spotlights. Built-in, dimmable LED spotlights at any desired location also provide timeless, modern and functional lighting. Ceiling wash lights or table lamps create a cosy atmosphere. Cleverly positioned table lamps that gently illuminate the slope with warm light model the room and create a cosy ambience as if by magic. This indirect lighting makes rooms and ceilings appear higher. With the lighting control from Busch-Jaeger, for example with the individual touch control element Busch-tacteo®, you can switch, control and dim the light sources. You can also set the colour and colour temperature. Blinds can also be operated with it.

  • To the Busch-tacteo®

  • Don't forget the blackout and heat protection, because it can get very warm in the attic in summer. Internal blinds or pleated blinds are more for privacy and glare protection. External shading protects against heat. Blinds, awnings or roller shutters with a drive prevent the window areas from heating up and the attic rooms stay cool for longer. Make sure that the external shading is wind-resistant and UV-resistant. With modern automatic blind control systems from Busch-Jaeger, you can switch and operate timers on time. An astro function even orients itself to the position of the sun. With Busch-RoomTouch® 4", the sensor in light switch format, you can intuitively raise and lower blinds, shutters and awnings. You can also control the lighting with the touch sensor.

  • More about the Busch-RoomTouch® 4"

Funding options for your loft conversion

The state offers funding programmes for certain renovation measures through KfW. These include, for example, energy-efficient refurbishment such as roof insulation. However, an expert opinion from an energy consultant is a prerequisite for the subsidies.