5 ways to make a home stand out
with a sustainable loft conversion
Everyone knows that a loft conversion is
an easy and cost-effective way to improve
your property, but what if there were ways to
make it more eco-friendly too? David Knight
from Roof Windows 4 You shares his tips for
creating a sustainable loft conversion.
The issue of sustainability is a major
concern in all areas of our lives now, from
our food to our furniture. And, when it comes
to property, we are just as eager to find more
eco-friendly solutions to our old building and
decorating habits.
less energy. This can be achieved in your loft
in several ways: you could swap to efficient
light bulbs, install double glazing, and
increase the amount of roof, wall and floor
insulation you have around your loft, if you
haven’t already. You’ll probably notice a lower
energy bill if you make these changes, too,
which can be another incentive to implement
for more eco-friendly options.
USE SUSTAINABLE AND NATURAL
MATERIALS
Whether you’re sprucing up a property to
wow potential buyers or just want to create
a cosy, green space in your own home,
rethinking your loft conversion can be a
great way to add value to your home while
improving its eco-credentials. Below, I’ll
take you through the ways you can turn
unused space in your attic into your own
sustainability showroom. As with all areas of your home, it’s important
that your building materials are ethical and
sustainable. That means sourcing wood
from forest friendly suppliers and using zero-
waste clay bricks. Loft insulation already
helps conserve energy, which is good for
the environment in itself, but if you look
for insulation made from ethically sourced
wool or recycled materials, you don’t have to
sacrifice sustainability for energy efficiency.
MAKE IT MORE ENERGY EFFICIENT MAKE THE MOST OF NATURAL LIGHT
The first step towards making any home
more sustainable is ensuring it consumes Instead of relying on artificial lights and
heaters all day long, take advantage of
28 - www.refurbandrestore.co.uk
your loft’s lofty positioning by adding roof
windows. These will not only give you a
fantastic view with lots of natural light
coming into your room, but they’ll also help
regulate the brightness and temperature
of the space better without the need for
electricity. If you attach solar panels to the
outside of your loft at the same time, you
can use clean, stored daylight to power
your artificial lighting after the sun goes
down.
CHOOSE ECO-FRIENDLIER DÉCOR
Just like building materials, the furniture
and decorations you choose for your loft
can easily be made more sustainable too.
The trick is to buy pieces that last rather
than going for the cheapest option, or
what is currently fashionable. Stick to solid
pieces that are less likely to break or go
out of style, and their durability will mean
you won’t have to replace them as often.
You should also recycle as many of your
furniture and decorations as you can back
into your home.