Not All Lofts are Created Equal: Traditional Lofts Vs. Loft Add-Ons

Much like vintage apartments .vs modern flats, the decision to rent or buy traditional or modern lofts depends on the buyer’s own personal style. Other factors may include cost, upkeep, and of course location. For example, most modern spaces require very little maintenance and upkeep. Just about everything is new, so you don’t have to worry about having to reglaze the tub in the near future, replace worn kitchen tile, or rebuff old hardwood floors. In a traditional loft maintenance and heating costs are two of the most common turn-offs for renters. Add-ons, however, require very little maintenance and they don’t cost as much to heat. Let’s examine the many differences between the two.

Traditional Lofts

So why are traditional lofts so expensive to heat? For starters, these wide-open spaces were once old warehouses, industrial buildings, and offices. Although these spaces have been converted into multi-family dwellings, many of them still retain some of the problems most warehouses have including cracks and openings around the doors and large windows that allow cold to enter and heat to escape. These traditional lofts are primarily used by artists as a live/work space. Some are split-level, offering a separate place to work, and another to live.

The closest thing to a traditional loft is a modern loft. Modern lofts are built to mimic traditional lofts, minus the industrial feel and the drafty doors and windows. Modern lofts feature high ceilings, an open layout, large windows throughout, trendy modern finishes and few to no walls. Modern lofts are typically found in urban areas among hi-rises, walk-ups and traditional lofts.

Loft Add-Ons

An loft add-on is an addition to a home or other structure. In suburban areas, an addition to the home is typically built onto the back of the home. In condensed, urban areas, an addition is usually built onto the highest floor of the home or building. This addition is typically called a loft add-on.

A loft add-on is a separate room that can be accessed by a stairway or ladder. A loft add-on is typically used for a specific function such as a playroom, extra bedroom, study, home office, storage, a den, or loft living room. Because loft add-ons are built on top of the home and they are typically well insulated, heating it is rarely an issue. Heat rises, so the only issue with a loft add-on will be how to keep it cool during the summer months. An AC unit will do the trick.

Because a loft add-on is only part of an existing structure and not the structure itself, maintaining this (likely) small area is limited to keeping the area tidy and the windows secure to protect the space from the elements. You should also consider having the roof inspected twice a year. Once around the first day of spring and again around the first day of fall. If twice yearly inspections are too costly, have your roof inspected at least once every two years.