Converting Your Roof Space to Storage
By HOUSPECT Building and Pest Inspections|January 17, 2018
Storage is an issue for most homeowners. If you have adequate roof space, there is no reason that you cannot use it for storage. However, storing your prized possessions in your in that area requires advanced planning to ensure that it is suitable for storage.
The two most common concerns with using your roof space for storage are load bearing and ventilation. To ensure the safety of you and your family, your roof space must be able to support the additional weight from storage. If the space isn’t well ventilated, the possessions you store could be destroyed by exposure to moisture, mould or invasive parasites.
The Basic Conversion of Roof Space
A basic roof space conversion involves ensuring that you can safely access the roof space, installing lighting and adding flooring that will adequately support the items you plan to store there. If the load bearing qualities in your roof space are already conducive to storage, installing flooring will be the largest part of the job. Basic lighting and access are jobs that you can carry out yourself or hire someone else at very little cost.
If your roof space is already well insulated and ventilated, you won’t have to worry about moisture building up and destroying your property. It is important to understand, however, that storing a large number of items in your roof space will impact on insulation and ventilation properties. The ventilation in the space on your roof may not have been designed to cope with an area that is being used for storage.
Dust Free Storage
You need to decide if you are happy for your stored items to gather dust until you need them. Homeowners are increasingly relying on storage companies because they offer dust free storage, regardless of how long items are stored. There are white cell materials available which prevent dust from gathering or settling.
Dust is not as harmless as you may think. A build up of dust can promote higher levels of moisture in a space, eventually leading to damage to property. When dust and moisture combines, surfaces face fading or discoloration after prolonged exposure. There is no point storing expensive items in your roof space if they are destroyed by the time you decide to use them again.
Major Conversion
Your roof space may have never been intended as a storage area. If that is the case, you will need to carry out renovations before it is suitable for storing your possessions. Before beginning work on conversion, you will first need to ensure that your plans meet all necessary standards and that you have planning permission.
Major conversions may require the installation of additional load bearing structures, heightening of your roof space and any further amendments to existing structures to ensure that it is suitable for storage. It is recommended that you use a qualified builder when considering a roof space conversion of this scale.
Comparing the Cost
While basic roof space storage conversions are a drop in the ocean in the grand scheme of things, a major conversion can become quite costly. However, even the cost of a major conversion cannot compare to the cost of using storage units to house all those possessions that you just can’t bear to part with. As an investment, it often makes sense to take the hit by converting space you already own rather than putting the money in some else’s pocket.
For more expert advice on roof space conversion for storage, reach out to the expert team from Houspect. We can help you with all your building inspection needs, regardless of the scale of the project.
The two most common concerns with using your roof space for storage are load bearing and ventilation. To ensure the safety of you and your family, your roof space must be able to support the additional weight from storage. If the space isn’t well ventilated, the possessions you store could be destroyed by exposure to moisture, mould or invasive parasites.
The Basic Conversion of Roof Space
A basic roof space conversion involves ensuring that you can safely access the roof space, installing lighting and adding flooring that will adequately support the items you plan to store there. If the load bearing qualities in your roof space are already conducive to storage, installing flooring will be the largest part of the job. Basic lighting and access are jobs that you can carry out yourself or hire someone else at very little cost.
If your roof space is already well insulated and ventilated, you won’t have to worry about moisture building up and destroying your property. It is important to understand, however, that storing a large number of items in your roof space will impact on insulation and ventilation properties. The ventilation in the space on your roof may not have been designed to cope with an area that is being used for storage.
Dust Free Storage
You need to decide if you are happy for your stored items to gather dust until you need them. Homeowners are increasingly relying on storage companies because they offer dust free storage, regardless of how long items are stored. There are white cell materials available which prevent dust from gathering or settling.
Dust is not as harmless as you may think. A build up of dust can promote higher levels of moisture in a space, eventually leading to damage to property. When dust and moisture combines, surfaces face fading or discoloration after prolonged exposure. There is no point storing expensive items in your roof space if they are destroyed by the time you decide to use them again.
Major Conversion
Your roof space may have never been intended as a storage area. If that is the case, you will need to carry out renovations before it is suitable for storing your possessions. Before beginning work on conversion, you will first need to ensure that your plans meet all necessary standards and that you have planning permission.
Major conversions may require the installation of additional load bearing structures, heightening of your roof space and any further amendments to existing structures to ensure that it is suitable for storage. It is recommended that you use a qualified builder when considering a roof space conversion of this scale.
Comparing the Cost
While basic roof space storage conversions are a drop in the ocean in the grand scheme of things, a major conversion can become quite costly. However, even the cost of a major conversion cannot compare to the cost of using storage units to house all those possessions that you just can’t bear to part with. As an investment, it often makes sense to take the hit by converting space you already own rather than putting the money in some else’s pocket.
For more expert advice on roof space conversion for storage, reach out to the expert team from Houspect. We can help you with all your building inspection needs, regardless of the scale of the project.
