Upwards or Outwards? 4 Times an Extension Beats a Loft Conversion

So, you want to have a little more space at home but don't actually want to move to a different property. If this is the case, you really have two options: you can either extend upwards into the loft or extend outwards to create a whole new room. Each option comes with its own benefits and drawbacks; if you find that the following points apply to your situation, an extension is probably going to be more beneficial than a loft conversion.

1. When You're Looking for Extra Living Space

Loft conversions are usually great if you want to add an extra bedroom or a small office. These are used by just one or two people, so it makes sense for their space to be kept apart from the rest of the home. If you want more room to socialise with friends or watch TV with the family at the end of the day, it's better to have a new room at ground-level so you're close to the entrance of the home and the rooms that are used for entertaining.

2. When You Want to Remain Flexible

One of the problems with a loft conversion is that you'll only have a certain amount of space to utilize, and the shape of your new room going to be hard to change. Extensions, on the other hand, are more versatile. You won't need to have sloping ceilings or small dimensions. 

3. When You Don't Have Much Hall Space

Loft conversions can provide you with added space, but they'll also take up a little bit of room. This is because a set of stairs, or possibly a ladder, will have to be fitted on the current upper-level of your home. This usually needs to take up space in the hall, and that can create a very unwelcome impediment. If, for example, your upstairs rooms are connected by one small central corridor, placing the entry-way for the loft-room can be tricky.

4. When You Have Plenty of Garden Space

One thing you do have to keep in mind is that extending outwards is going to take away some of your outside space. If you're a green-thumb who doesn't have much of a garden in the first place, adding an extension isn't ideal. However, people with plenty of outside space, especially those who live in the country, will find it much more advantageous to extend since that outside space isn't at a premium.

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