What’s the Difference Between a Loft and an Attic?

While many people use the terms loft and attic interchangeably, they’re not the same at all. Understanding the difference is important for adequate home planning and renovation. You might also need to know the correct term if you’re planning to apply for any modifications. In this case, you’ll need to refer to the area by its proper name.

What’s the main difference between a loft and an attic?

The main difference between a loft and an attic is that an attic usually spans across the entire floor of the house, while a loft could be limited to just a specific area. Lofts may or may not be divided into separate rooms. This doesn’t change the definition of the area – all rooms together are considered a loft.

However, it’s more common for a loft to be wide open instead of segmented. This is particularly common in smaller houses without much floor space. An attic is typically fully connected by default.

Attics also tend to be completely enclosed. While a loft will have windows or other openings to the outside, that’s not usually the case with an attic. This stems from the fact that attics are intended as a utility space for storage and other similar purposes, while a loft is not limited to that and can be used as a living area as well.