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Don’t let Truss Rafters put you off a Loft Conversion

Truss rafters are arguably one of the biggest perceived hurdles when it comes to loft conversions. Walthamstow homes which were built after 1960 might well have roofs supported by truss rafters, but they shouldn’t put you off of converting your loft space.

With the help of an experienced loft conversion company, truss rafters are no obstacle. There are certain ways and means around them which will leave you with a very usable, habitable space.

Why would Trusses Cause a Problem?

Truss roofs have ‘W’ shaped rafters which support the load of both the roof and the loft’s floor structure. They would likely have been installed originally as they were low cost, but barring basic storage, they do not allow a lot of space for converting the loft.

A truss frame will occupy the majority of the space within the loft, which means that the whole structure needs replacing if you decide to convert your attic. Often, the height of the roof may be too low when constructed with truss rafters, which means that it may need to be raised, too. This may well require planning permission. Anything under 1.9 metres is normally considered too low.

What can be Done?

Even though truss roofs may appear to be harder to convert, there are still ways around them. It’s imperative that the roof structure and loft floor is given alternative support, so the structure will need to be replaced rather than the trusses simply removed.

However, this is now a commonplace, simple construction project. The ‘W’ shaped rafters are replaced with ‘A’ shaped trusses instead, or alternatively with horizontal beams. Either way, this creates a much larger space within the loft.

What does this Mean for Truss Roof Loft Conversions?

As already mentioned, you may require planning permission if the height of your roof needs to be raised. This, coupled with the slightly more complex construction and restructuring needed, means that converting a truss roof can be more expensive than a normal loft conversion.

However, once a truss roof has been restructured and the loft converted, they usually offer large, spacious rooms which can be converted into excellent additional accommodation within your home. Not only this, but the structural wooden support of the newly created attic room can lend truss loft conversions real character, too!

If you’ve got a truss roof and are worried that converting it would be more hassle than it’s worth, contact a loft conversions specialist such as Bespoke Lofts. We’ll talk you through both the pros and cons and will leave you with a beautiful and very usable new room at the end of the conversion, too.

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