The weather is becoming colder and colder, and your loft is likely the first room in your house where this can be felt the most. Or perhaps you’re considering having your loft converted during the colder months but aren’t sure what the best ways are to keep the space cosy and comfortable. Whatever the situation, we’ve put together this guide to give you our top 11 tips on how to keep a loft warm in winter!
Are Lofts Cold in Winter?
Lofts are located right underneath the roof, which means they often become the coldest room in a house during winter as this causes them to rapidly lose heat. This is especially true if there’s no proper insulation. An uninsulated home loses around 25% of its heat through the roof and during this time of year, temperatures in your loft can be up to 5-7 degrees lower than the rest of your home and can even be cold enough to freeze piping. There are, however, practical ways you can prevent this. If you’re looking for advice on how to keep a loft room warm in winter, keep reading!
How to Keep a Loft Warm in Winter
Tip 1: Use Effective Loft Insulation
Proper insulation can make a world of difference if you’re looking to keep a loft room warm in winter. Both the walls and the roof need to be well insulated. The thermal barrier this will create will help you maintain a more consistent temperature and prevent much of the heat loss that would otherwise be inevitable.
Tip 2: Install Loft Underfloor Heating
Loft underfloor heating will definitely help you keep the room at a more comfortable temperature and it also has the benefit of saving you space. As heat tends to rise up, having underfloor heating means more evenly distributed warmth and it runs on hot water running through pipes underneath the floor, so it won’t raise your central heating bills. We at Alvaston always make insulation a priority to future-proof loft conversions and make sure they continue to support a comfortable temperature year-round.
Tip 3: Introduce Soft Furnishings and Décor
Blankets, throws, soft pillows, thick curtains and anything made from thick cotton, velvet or wool will create an additional layer of insulation and prevent heat from escaping your loft. The rich textures, in addition to keeping your space warm, tend to look quite stylish, so it’s a win-win!
Tip 4: Carpet the Floor
Investing in a thick carpet for your loft room will make a big difference if you’re aiming to prevent heat loss. If the aesthetic of a wall-to-wall carpet doesn’t appeal to you, plush shag rugs and wool/cotton flat weave rugs also have a similar effect temperature-wise while complementing laminate flooring nicely.
Tip 5: Fit Loft Conversion Radiators
Loft conversion radiators are another option to keep a more comfortable temperature and the good news is they won’t actually set you back that much when it comes to your bills. Having them installed is where most of the spend will come from should you decide to opt for this. You’ll also need to make sure that your boiler is able to support these additional radiators.
Tip 6: Use Portable Loft Heaters
Using portable heaters to heat your loft room is an option if you’re looking for a ‘quick fix’ type of solution as they’re not very expensive and can heat up a smaller space relatively quickly. This being said, they do drain a lot of electricity, so you’ll likely notice a difference in your household bills.
There are different types you can choose from (fan, convector, oil-filled, halogen heaters, etc.), each one having their own pros and cons. Make sure to do enough research before choosing the best loft heater for your home.
Tip 7: Consider Heated Towel Rails
If your loft has a bathroom, heated towel rails can be a good way to introduce additional heat. Plus, they reduce dampness and reduce the likelihood of germs and mould, and you can also use them instead of a tumble dryer.
Tip 8: Install Double or Triple Glazed Loft Conversion Windows
It’s likely no surprise that your loft conversion windows have a huge impact on the temperature of the room. The glass panes on double/triple glazed windows are ‘sandwiched’ together by gaps of air which acts as an insulation barrier keeping the cold air out and the warmer air in.
Tip 9: Improve Your Loft Window Curtains
Using thick, heavy loft window curtains, in addition to creating a more appealing aesthetic, actually plays a huge part in loft insulation. The thick material will help warm air stay inside while preventing cold from seeping in.
Tip 10: Use Thick Lined Curtains Over the Door
Similarly to how proper loft window curtains can improve heat retention, thick lined curtains for your loft door can also have a positive effect by blocking any drafts from entering the room. When hanging the curtains, try to make sure they’re as close to the door as possible so no gaps are left and potentially use weights at the bottom to help them stay straight.
Tip 11: Keep the Loft Hatch Closed
If you only have a partial conversion, a question you may have is, should you leave the loft hatch open in winter? The short answer is no, you shouldn’t, as it can lead to significant heat loss. However, there is one exception: if, for any reason, your property will be left unoccupied for a period of time and you’re not planning on draining and switching off the heating, you can leave the hatch open to allow some warm air inside to prevent the pipes from freezing.
How to Keep Your Loft Warm in Winter With Alvaston Loft Conversions
At Alvaston Loft Conversions, we’ve helped individuals and families achieve their dream loft conversions for decades. We have plenty of experience creating loft conversions designed to be comfortable year-round. If you’re looking for more information on having a loft conversion that will keep warm and cosy this winter, contact our team online or by calling 01922 402720 to see how we can help bring your ideas to life.
