Changes To Loft Space

[jagillham]

Having pretty much given up on the full loft conversion idea, I was wondering if making it into a much nicer and easier to access storage area would be technically legit?

Access would be via the loft hatch still, but I would add a couple of velux windows for proper lighting, nogins on the joists to strengthen it up and plasterboard it out to keep it clean. I think the other half is basically after a "walk in wardrobe" in the loft for easy assess to out of season clothes etc. How far could I go before somebody calls it "habitable", I have enough laminate spare to floor it for example!

 

[PaulJR]

We went throuugh a similar decision a few years back. I didn't plasterboard it but, I used the foil covered bubble wrap as a vapour barrier under the kingspan insulation between rafters - keeps it nice and clean, and cant be accused of being a room. I have power installed, for wireless router, TV signal amplifier, sky+ box (saves a lot of messing about). Boiler is now up there and we store all sorts of stuff- ski gear, wifes overflow wardrobe, etc. etc. Adding windows shouldn't really compromise the use, as the access is primary to it being "habitable"

 

[kbdiy]

As I understand it, for it to be 'habitable' the access would have to be via a proper staircase, being one that you can walk down forwards, rather than backwards as you would down a ladder. As that's what you're planning then there cannot be any question of it being considered habitable.