ABSTRACT
It is nearly always prudent for developers to introduce new floors into buildings, thus increasing the rentable or saleable floor area of the property. Conversion of attic or roof space, making it a habitable room, is often the most economic method of doing this. Clearly, the floors will need to be strengthened, dormer windows or roof lights (such as Velux windows) can be introduced, and party wall issues will need to be addressed. It will be necessary to ensure there are necessary precautions to prevent passage of fire, and even with party walls it is prudent to upgrade thermal insulation. Recent research has shown considerable heat is lost through party walls due to the movement of air within the cavity. Walls in attics are often just half a brick thick; the addition of acoustic barriers to reduce the passage of sound out of and into new rooms is often desirable.
