January 28, 2025, 4:29 pm | Read time: 5 minutes
Many homeowners decide at some point to convert their unused loft into living space. Although converting a loft yourself costs a lot of time and money, it is worth the investment as it increases the usable living space and the value of a house. You can find out how to plan and carry out a loft conversion properly here.
A converted loft can be a real retreat away from the hustle and bustle of the house. This place of peace and quiet is extremely versatile. If you convert the loft into a study, for example, you can work there undisturbed and with concentration. There is also enough space for a desk and filing cabinets. Another option is to convert the loft into a room for an older child. This gives them their own retreat and allows them to receive friends independently of their parents and siblings. How do you go about converting a loft step by step?
Overview
Loft Conversion – 7 Steps
1. Preliminary Considerations for a Loft Conversion
Before you start the conversion, you should know not only exactly what kind of space you want to create but also what measures and materials are required. It is important to discuss aspects such as load-bearing capacity, insulation, and heating with an expert and, if necessary, have the conversion officially approved. The conversion measures also depend on the condition of the attic: is it dry or damp? Is there insulation already available, and is there the possibility of sufficient ventilation? All of these points should be discussed with an expert in advance to ensure that the conversion is a success in the end.
2. Plan Heating and Ventilation
A heating system is essential for a new living space. If none has been installed to date, pipes and radiators must be professionally installed in the loft. However, you cannot do this yourself, as you need to have in-depth specialist knowledge. A professional also knows the building and fire protection regulations and can implement them reliably and safely.
3. Calculate the Costs
Once all the preparatory measures for the loft conversion have been taken, it’s time for the financial planning. Depending on the condition of the room, the costs for such a conversion can vary widely. If the room is already sufficiently insulated and even has heating, the costs may be lower.
Whether there is already a floor is also a decisive factor. If you want to add windows to the living space, the budget required also increases significantly. Other variables in the cost calculation are the materials used, the number of windows, the type of insulation and flooring, wallpaper, paint, furniture, and any sanitary facilities.
4. Installing Windows
In the first step, the new living space needs enough light: in other words, new windows! Because hardly any loft in this country has a sufficient number of windows. While smaller windows usually fit between the rafters and can be installed by yourself with a little manual skill, you should definitely consult a specialist to install larger roof windows.
5. Insulate the Loft
In order to maintain a constant level of warmth in the loft during the cold season, it is essential to insulate it appropriately. There are various options for this. Insulating the rafters between the rafters and the roof tiles is very time-consuming and cost-intensive, as the entire roof has to be stripped and re-covered. Alternatively, insulation can be installed between the rafters, often using mineral wool.
Another variant is under-rafter insulation, where thin insulation boards are fitted under the rafters. However, this reduces the living space. A vapor barrier should also be installed to prevent moisture from penetrating the insulation. When insulating the loft, it is important to comply with the current requirements of the Building Energy Act (GEG).
6. Attaching the Walls
Once the exterior walls have been insulated, they can be clad with plasterboard, for example, as a basis for the subsequent design of the walls. These boards are usually available in different sizes so that they can be used for roof pitches of different heights. Plasterboard panels should be screwed to the walls at right angles to the previously installed support profiles and then filled. For the complex areas around windows and doors, it is advisable to call in a professional.
7. Laying the Floor
To prevent the new floor from being damaged by the work in the loft, it should only be laid at the end. If the floor is uneven, you can level it out, for example, with dry fill and a dry screed on top, which also acts as a sound barrier. Alternatively, you can install additional footfall protection on top – which is particularly recommended if the room below is lived in – before laying laminate or parquet flooring on top.

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Savings Tip for Converting a Loft
Anyone planning to convert their loft must be prepared for high costs. However, under certain conditions, homeowners can benefit from the federal government’s funding programs, which it has adopted as part of its climate protection measures. This is because if homeowners integrate energy-saving measures into the conversion of their loft, the insulation of the roof, for example, can be subsidized. Further information and funding requirements can be found at the Federal Government and KfW.