When thinking about having a loft conversions so many questions may be running through your mind. Here are a few frequently asked questions below, however if you have any further questions please get in touch via our Contact Page and we will be happy to help.
The minimum height for a loft conversion is 2.3 metres (7ft 6in), this measurement needs to be taken in the middle of the loft from the floor to the ridge (highest point in the loft).
Under new regulations that came into effect from October 2008 loft conversions are viewed as ‘Permitted Development’ and, subject to certain limits and conditions, you won’t require planning permission. All loft conversions must meet the standards set by Building Regulations, which is why it is important that you commission a professional company with a proven track record to undertake your conversion.
In the unlikely event that Planning Permission is required we will take care of everything on your behalf, from making the application to liaising with the authorities.
Your loft conversion will need to meet building regulations, these are put in place to help ensure the safety of any building work undertaken and that it meets energy efficiency guidelines. The key areas of building regulations that will need to be taken into account before a loft can be converted are;
Structure
Fundamentally, your roof needs to be made strong enough to support a conversion. The existing timbers won’t have been built to support a room so they’ll need to be strengthened with new timber framework and generally some steelwork.
Fire resistance
The floors, walls, doors and staircase to the loft conversion must be able to resist fire for at least 30 minutes. Where an open staircase leads to the conversion, a self-closing door will have to be fitted at the entrance to the loft conversion. Any glazed doors must be fitted with fire resistant glass.
Escape route
When planning your conversion, we will need to account for getting out of the new room in the event of a fire. Each new room in the loft will need to have an escape window that is at least 450mm x 450mm, and that can be accessed from outside by a ladder. You’ll also need to install a mains-operated smoke alarm that must be linked to other smoke alarms in the house.
There are four basic types of loft conversion; which will work for you depending on the structure of your property’s roof, planning or building control regulations for your area and what you plan to use the conversion for. You can find introductions to the different kinds of loft conversion below:
Velux™ loft conversions
Also known as roof light conversions, Velux conversions are named after the famous window company that specialises in producing the roof light windows that typify this conversion style. Cost-effective, rarely requiring planning permission and providing fantastic, light-flooded spaces, Velux conversions are very popular.
The windows in Velux loft conversions fit flush to the roof profile so they do not drastically alter the external appearance of the property. Lofts best suited to Velux conversions are those with plenty of existing height – lofts with limited height may be better suited to a dormer loft conversion or a mansard loft conversion.
Dormer loft conversions
Dormer loft conversions are a good choice for lofts with limited height, as it physically extends the existing roof, adding both floor space and headroom. Internally, dormer conversions provide a more conventional room shape, with a horizontal ceiling and vertical walls, rather than the sloping wall/ceilings often associated with Velux conversions.
There are various styles of dormer window, all offering a different external appearance:
Flat roof dormer loft conversions add the most internal space but alter the roofline, which means they are not always as aesthetically pleasing as other loft conversion styles.
Hipped roof dormer loft conversions feature dormer windows with their own ‘hipped’ roof.
Gable fronted dormer loft conversions are those with windows that look like miniature gables.
Shed dormer loft conversions have windows that feature a single planed roof set at a slightly shallower angle than the main roof.
Pitched dormer loft conversions are
Mansard loft conversions
Mansard style loft conversions are commonly seen older properties and in built-up areas such as London. They feature two slopes, one close to the vertical leading up to a ceiling section that is almost horizontal. They may require planning permission, as they generally require the party/gable walls on either side of the property to be raised and a new timber frame created – we will be able to ascertain this during our site survey and, if required, make all the necessary arrangements.
Hip to Gable loft conversions
Hip to Gable loft conversions replace an existing roof hip with a gable end wall and give fantastic results, adding a lot of space. During our survey we will run checks to ensure the roof space is suitable, with sufficient headroom and beams that are strong enough to cope with the weight of the conversion. If planning permission is required we will make and manage the application on your behalf.
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