Problems With Loft Homes

Loft apartments do not get as much light as they may seem to.urban lofts image by Daniel Gillies from Fotolia.com

Loft homes typically refer to two different home structures. The first is the popular "loft" apartment style. Loft apartments are typically inner-city apartments converted from former industrial or business buildings. Lofts tend to have more open space with fewer walls than traditional apartments, often with exposed brick walls and industrial fixtures. The second type of loft home is a stick-built house that uses the attic area as a major addition to the home.

Light Disadvantages

With loft apartments, light is often one of the most important considerations. Since lofts tend to have many windows (at least on one side) and open spaces, buyers and renters tend to assume they receive a lot of light. For some lofts this is true, but lighting depends primarily on where the loft is and how high it reaches above the cityscape. Buyers who expect a lot of light may be disappointed to find their loft is dark.

Since loft apartments are converted from buildings that once served other functions, the transition can make it difficult for owners. Electrical and plumbing problems may take more time to fix or cost more to repair, since the building's systems often have components that are still part of the building's older purpose. This requires specialized repairs and often united efforts by all those living in the loft complex.

For homeowners who have loft areas in their homes, the primary problem is poor insulation. Lofts are located right next to the roof, without any attic space to act as a buffer for the heat transition. As a result, if insulation in the roof is subpar, the homeowners will lose much of their heat through the loft, creating high heating costs.

When homeowners convert part of their home to a loft, they get to choose what fixtures they want to use. However, lofts are usually intended to be stand-alone areas of the house, requiring extra plumbing work and usually the addition of a bathroom. This puts much more strain on the plumbing system, which must now pump water up to the highest point in the house. This can create pressure problems throughout the home.