Best Loft Conversion Flooring Ideas For Your Attic

There are lots of positives to putting in a loft conversion in your roof space. You can increase your living space without moving house, put in a home office, create a master bedroom, a dressing room, a game room, an extra bedroom or a guest bedroom on the top floor of your home – there are loads of beneficial loft conversion ideas available. Plus, as the loft space is already part of the footprint of your home a loft conversion project often doesn’t need planning permission. Converting your loft can even add up to 20% to the value of your home, so it’s the perfect opportunity if you’re looking for building projects that can increase the value of your property.

Once you’ve had the actual building work in your attic space carried out and created your new loft rooms, it’s time to think about the best choice of finishing touches such as what loft conversion flooring to choose. There are a lot of different options available in terms of quality loft flooring that will enhance your attic floor, each with their own pros and cons, and what works for one room might be inappropriate for another, depending on how you plan to use your extra room.  So here’s a guide on the issues to consider to help you find the right flooring for your loft conversion. 

Preparing The Floor

If you’re working with a professional builder, then they’ll already have made sure that you have an attic conversion floor ready to accept a new floor covering. You should have a floor made from plywood, chipboard, MDF or similar, which should be flat and level and ready to accept the best option covering of your choice. If your loft conversion incorporates a bathroom, then it’s important to note that the floor should be made from marine plywood or a proprietary board which won’t warp under damp conditions.

The Practicality Of Loft Flooring

Putting any kind of new flooring down is expensive, so it’s worth putting some careful thought into your choice so that you end up with the best flooring for your needs and your additional space.

First off, when thinkinking about loft flooring options, it’s helpful to think about how your new loft room is going to be used for, and what rooms is it immediately above? For example, if your loft conversion is to become a children’s playroom and it’s immediately above a study, then you might like to consider soft flooring such as carpet to keep noise levels down. If you do put carpet down, though, are the stairs too steep to get a vacuum cleaner up and down easily? If so, then hard flooring might be a more practical choice. Will your loft conversion contain a bathroom? If so, you’ll need to choose a flooring type that can cope with damp conditions.

Think about how you’re going to heat your new space as some types of flooring aren’t compatible with systems such as underfloor heating. And it’s useful to give some consideration to whether you want eco-friendly materials, what colour or design of flooring you’d like, durability and long-term maintenance.

Once you’ve considered these aspects and set a budget, you’re ready to narrow it down a bit.

Solid wood flooring

Installing solid wood hardwood flooring in a loft conversion may seem like a good idea, but in reality it can be tricky or even impossible. Plus, hardwood floors are usually the most expensive option. Solid wood planks themselves are thick and require laying on a solid foundation, which can make for a thick floor. Loft conversions often don’t have enough ceiling space for this to be a valid option. If you do have enough head height, and particularly if you have exposed wooden beams, then solid wood hard floors can give a beautiful result.

Advantages of wood flooring in attic conversions:

• A solid wood floor is durable, scratch-resistant and easy to maintain. With proper care, it should last for many years and can withstand wear and tear better than some other flooring choices. 
• There’s a good range of finishes to choose from, including plank sizes, finishes and types of wood, so you find the perfect option to suit your room style and design. 
• Engineered wood flooring is great at handling temperature and humidity changes. 
• Solid wood has a timeless aesthetic feel to it and can complement many interior design styles. 
• Solid wood floors are easy to clean and won’t trap dust or pollen.   
• Wooden floors may be attractive to buyers if you sell your property and could help add significant value to your home.
• It can be refinished multiple times if required, helping your floor last longer. 

Disadvantages of using wood for attic flooring:

• Solid wood can be a costly choice, both in terms of buying the material and having it installed.
• Wooden flooring can add height to a room and make the ceiling height feel lower, which is not ideal in a small space.
• Hardwood floors are noisy, which may be impractical in a loft room. 
• Wooden floors can feel cold underfoot in winter, especially if the attic room is lacking in insulation. 
• Exposure to natural light with Velux style loft windows can cause colour fading over time. –
• Depending on the wood and finish, it may need regular waxing. 

Laminate and Vinyl Flooring

Modern laminate flooring and vinyl flooring can look great in a converted loft and is a popular choice. Some luxury vinyl flooring is almost indistinguishable from real wood, making it one of the best materials to use. These types of floor coverings are easy to clean and offer reasonable sound insulation, but they can be cold to the touch. You can solve this problem with efficient radiators or underfloor heating, and putting some scatter rugs down, if practical, will help as well.

Advantages of laminate flooring and vinyl floors:

• Laminate and luxury vinyl tiles can be affordable choices so may be a suitable option if you’re on a tight budget. 
• They absorb sound well and can help reduce noise in a loft conversion.
• Laminate and vinyl are largely easy to install. 
• They’re easy to maintain and clean. 
• Lamintate and vinyl flooring is resistant to water and moisture, so is suitable for use in a bedroom and bathroom. 
• It’s lightweight and a good option to add to a loft floor. 
• These flooring materials are available in a wide range of designs and styles, so you’re likely to find something that meets your needs. 

Disadvantages of vinyl and laminate floors: 

• It can have a shorter lifespan than other flooring types, such as hardwood or tiles, and can easily be damaged by heavy furniture.
• Laminate can’t be refinished, whereas some other types of floor can.  
• As vinyl and laminate are made from synthetic materials, it doesn’t meet eco needs. 
• Vinyl and laminate floors can be sensitive to termpature fluctuations, which might cause issues if the room isn’t properly insulated.  

Carpet

Carpet is a great choice for warmth and sound insulation in dormer loft conversions, and there are options available to suit every budget from nylon tiles to 100% wool carpet. Compared to other flooring options, carpet can be relatively inexpensive, which is helpful if you have a large space.

Advantages of carpet flooring in a new loft conversion:

• A cosy carpet adds a good layer of warmth to the floor and provides a soft, comfortable surface.
• Carpet is a great option for sound insulation, as it can help reduce the transmission of noise. This is especially useful if the loft is located above another bedroom or living area.
• It’s relatively quick and easy to install, which could help save on costs. 
• It’s versatile and available in a variety of designs, colours and thicknesses.
• Carpet is a good idea for safety purposes, as it’s a non-slip surface. 

Disadvantages of having carpet in a loft room:

• Carpet is not the best choice if you suffer from allergies such as asthma, as it can trap dust and pollen.
• Carpet can absorb moisture, especially if the loft isn’t fully ventilated, and could lead to mold and mildew.
• If you have large velux windows or dormer windows in your loft,  the exposure to sunlight could cause the carpet to fade quickly. 
• Carpet can be harder to clean if spills occur or things are accidentally dropped on it. 

Ceramic Tiles

Ceramic tiles are an ideal solution if your loft conversion is going to contain a bath or shower room. Tiling the whole floor, though, might make the room a bit cold and noisy.

Advantages of ceramic tile flooring:

• Ceramic tiles are made from natural materials and can be a more eco-friendly flooring choice.
• They’re resistant to most stains and are easy to clean, making them a practical easy maintenance option.
• Ceramic tiles are a more hygienic option for anyone suffering from allergies or asthma.
• They’re durable, long-lasting and easy to maintain.  
• Ceramic tiles can help regulate temperature in your attic room, helping it feel cooler in the summer when it can get hot under the eaves. 
• Tiles work well with underfloor heating. 

Disadvantages of using ceramic tiles in a loft:

• Ceramic floor tiles can be more expensive to install than different flooring materials so may not suit budget constraints. 
• ​Some tiles can be heavy, so you’ll need to ensure the loft can structurally hold them. 
• The grout between tiles will need to be maintained and cleaned regularly. 
• Ceramic floor tiling doesn’t absorb sound, so can create noise.

Final Thoughts

As you can see, there are a lot of crucial factors to take into consideration when thinking about flooring for modern lofts. A qualified flooring specialist will be able to provide additional advice on the pros and cons of different materials and advise on the best way forward with flooring in your new extra space. Once you’ve made an informed decision about which type of flooring to choose for your type of loft conversion, always try and get the best quality and resilient flooring that your budget allows. 

For more inspiration and ideas for the interior design of your new attic room, check out our post on how to style a loft conversion.

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