Author: wahid

dormer loft conversion
Advice Center, Conversions

A Simple Guide for Dormer Loft conversion

26th July 20200

There are lots of steps involved in the process of loft conversion, so where to start is daunting. Do not fear; we are here to help you with dormer loft conversion. There are various types of converting a loft such as a dormer, mansard loft conversion, hip to gable loft conversion.

In this article, we are going to explain the steps involved in a loft conversion and will talk about a dormer loft conversion.

Can You Convert Loft?

Why not, but before doing anything else, you need to find out whether the space is suitable for conversion. Various houses in the UK come with an allowance for permitted development, which means you do not need planning permission for the conversion. But if you are living in any conservative area in the country, then the process can be a bit complicated.

If you have not done any conversion before, then you can get the help of an architectural services provider or a surveyor to check this out for you. It is also possible to carry out these checks on your own.

Look for Other Houses in Your Neighborhood

One of the best ways to find out whether you can convert loft is to look for similar houses on your street that had loft conversions. If there are such houses, it means there is a possibility. You can also go one step ahead by taking a look at anyone’s loft in the street.

Head Height For Dormer Loft Conversion

There is a height limit for converting a loft which is 2.2m and measuring height is not a big deal. Just take a tape and run it from the floor to the ceiling to measure the head height. If it is 2.2m or higher, then it is enough for conversion. Keep in mind that Victorian houses have less head height which is not sufficient to convert a loft.

Type of Roof

The second step is to find out the type of roof of your home. There are mainly two types of whether a house can have roof rafters or trusses. You can find out by looking through the loft hatch that what kind of roof you have.

Well, the rafters run along the edge of the roof and leave triangular space below. In comparison, trusses run through the cross-section of the loft. It is easy to convert a loft with trusses. However, extra structural support is required to replace them, which costs more than rafters.

How is The Floor?

Most of the people ignore the floor under the loft when planning. It is important to anticipate where the staircase is going to be and how much space it is going to take. Even if you have a space-saving design for the loft, it can still take up a sizeable chunk of a room. That is why; it is essential to consider some space that you are happy to lose.

After assessing the space, you have for the conversion, and it is worth to visit our page on loft conversion cost. In this guide, we have deeply explained the factors affecting the price and how to keep it down.

Types of Loft Conversion

There are mainly four types of loft conversions: hip-to-gable, roof light, mansard, and dormer loft conversion. Several factors determine the choice, such as the age, kind of the house and your budget. But in this article, we will explain dormer loft conversion.

Dormer Loft conversion

It is one of the most common types of conversion which projects vertically from the slope of the roof. It creates a box shape and generally requires no dramatic changes. You can easily install conventional windows in a dormer. Furthermore, this type is suitable for any house having a sloping roof and less expensive than hip-to-gable and mansard conversion. Let’s talk about some pros and cons:

Pros

  • Provides useful headroom
  • Have flat ceilings and straight walls
  • An excellent way to increase internal space in the house
  • Allows natural light in the loft and ventilation
  • Less expensive than other types of loft conversions
  • It is universal because it suits most of the homes in the UK
  • You may not need planning permission because it comes under permitted development

Cons

  • Maybe not appealing aesthetically

Still, it is the first choice for most of the people in the country. It is a good choice in terms of adaptation and money. Well, there are also many other subtypes of a dormer loft conversion. They are more pleasing and provides more choice for homeowners. However, these sub-types cost more and have less headroom.

Last Words

In most of the cases, planning permission is not required to carry out the work. However, it needs approval under building regulations. Furthermore, if you have a semi-detached or terraced house, then it is necessary to inform the neighbours.

Hip-To-Gable Loft Conversion
Advice Center, Conversions

A Simple Guide to Hip To Gable Loft Conversion

25th July 20200

Need extra living space in your home? Well, a loft conversion is a great way to increase some living area for your family. In this guide, we will explain how to convert and loft, costs, rules and regulations, heating, insulation and hip-to-gable loft conversion.

No doubt converting a loft is the common home improvement project in the UK. There are some areas in the country where the homes do not have enough space for a large family. So, if your family is growing and moving out is not an option, then it is an excellent solution for the homeowners.

A straightforward loft conversion can cost you around £15,000 for a single room. If you are considering instant home extensions, then It can cost you around £50,000. In this type, a home extension is manufactured off-site and then put in place with the help of a crane.

There is an estimate that an additional bedroom and bathroom can add 20% to the value of a property. A hip-to-gable loft conversion does not require planning permission as it falls under Permitted Development. But in some cases, you need planning permission, especially if your house is situated in a conservative area.

Other factors are the structure of the roof, loft conversion staircase, heating, ventilation, and light. In this guide, we will try to explain the process.

Planning Permission for Hip-to-Gable Loft Conversion

We mentioned earlier that hip-to-gable loft conversion falls under Permitted Development, but if your design meets specific criteria. If you want to extend beyond the limits specified in PD or your home is situated in a conversation area, then you need to apply for planning permission. Furthermore, you need it when you are going to alter the head height of the rood. On the other hand, dormers and roof lights come under PD.

Building Regulations

Maybe you do not need planning permission, but you must need building regulations approval. For this, a surveyor is required to inspect the conversion at various stages. Furthermore, he or she is responsible for issuing a completion certificate.

Moreover, if you have a terraced or semi-detached house, then it is your responsibility to notify your neighbours about the work.

Can You Convert Any Loft?

It is essential first to assess a loft space to verify whether it is suitable for the conversion. There are various factors to consider, including:

  • Roof Pitch
  • Head Height
  • Structure of the Roof
  • Obstacles

It is essential to measure the head height of the loft before starting the work. A loft should have at least 2.2m usable space for the hip-to-gable loft conversion. If you do not have such head height, then you need to raise the roof. Structurally, it is feasible but can cause major problems such as high cost and applying for planning permission. The second solution is to lower the ceiling below, which requires you to remove the existing one, which can cause a mess.

Do You Need an Architectural Services Provider for Hip to Gable Loft Conversion?

Well, designing a loft on your own is a possibility. You can save some money, but we will recommend you to hire a design and build company.

A design and build company will deal with all the things such as designing, construction, planning permission etc. Taking this route means that you can design a loft the way you want.

Natural Light

Another essential thing to discuss is the natural light in the conversion. Most of the homeowners prefer roof lights for their hip to gable loft conversion. Furthermore, it is easy to install them by removing the tiles and battens. Roof lights are the most common choice for the homeowners.

There is also an option to add artificial light in the loft. You can get any successful interior scheme by combining different light sources.

Hip to Gable Loft Conversion

If you have a semi-detached or terraced house, then hip to a gable loft conversion is the best choice. It looks like a small change but can make a massive difference in terms of extra living space inside. That is why; this type of loft conversion is becoming so popular option for the homeowners. Let’s just discuss some of the pros and cons of this conversion

Pros

  • Aesthetically, it improves the external appearance of your home.
  • You can even combine it with an existing dormer to extend the extension.
  • A suitable option for chalets and bungalows

Cons

  • If you have a mid-terrace home, then this type of loft conversion is not for you.
  • It costs more than a Dormer loft conversion.
  • If your neighbor does not have one, then it will feel imbalanced.

Sometimes, a homeowner does not want to make structural changes in the property. In such condition, there are various other types of a loft conversion to choose from such as mansard loft conversion and roof light loft conversion.

A Simple Guide to Loft Conversion Stairs
Conversions, Loft Conversion

A Simple Guide to Loft Conversion Stairs

24th July 20200

Homeowners often overlooked the design and possibilities for loft conversion stairs. When a person thinks of converting a loft, often think of an ordinary place for the stairs. But there are some great alternatives to put the stairs in the right place to save some space. If you want to know some of the options and ideas to work with, then keep on reading the article.

Outside-In and Inside-Out Loft Conversion Stairs

It is a great loft conversion stairs idea that looks very simple from the outside. But it is essential to determine the positioning of the staircase inside the house. It is a modification to the external design of the house.

When you see the house, it will be placed in the top left of the property. There are various such design ideas for the staircase that can work with less headroom.

Stairs Above Stairs

Another excellent idea for loft conversion stairs is to put them above the stairs. It is a good idea to put the stairs of the loft above the existing staircase. It is an excellent idea because it usually is the most effective place for the stairs and most efficient.

But we will recommend you to discuss with your designer to explore whether it is a good alternative before you start building project. You can also opt-in for a staircase away from the stairs below. It all depends on the existing design of the property. There is not any hard and fast rile because every situation is different. You need to consider the issue in hand to decide which alternative can best for you.

Spiral Loft Conversion Stairs

If you have tight space in the home, then spiral loft conversion stairs can be a viable option to accommodate a small area in the loft. Furthermore, the staircase looks great and save some space. They cost less compared to other solutions. No matter, they take less space, you still need to follow the building regulations. It is best to hire a surveyor who can suggest whether it is suitable for you.

Paddle Loft Conversion Stairs

If you want to save some more space, then paddle staircase is the best option.

Fire Safety for Loft Conversion Stairs

You should keep in mind that the stairs in your home should meet fire safety standards. No matter, which stairs you are going to use for the loft, they should be fire retardant. If you are going to choose the stairs above the stairs, then it is essential to have a fire safety door at the top of the building. But if the loft stairs are away, then the door must be situated at the bottom of the new stairs.

Lighting

When building a new staircase for the conversion, you need to make sure that there is enough lighting for the safety of your family. If there is no way for the natural light, then you should install artificial lighting at the top and bottom of the stairs.

Rules and Regulations

Before you start the project, it is essential to know the vital regulations. Aloft can provide extra living space for your family, but you also need other things like a fire door in the loft. For example; you need to consider the minimum head height above a staircase. In short, the top of the loft conversion stairs needs to be located at the highest point. The required for a fire door indicates that you need a separate door.

Hire an Architectural Services Provider for Loft Conversion Stairs

It is possible to do the designing on your own, but it is a good idea to hire an architectural services provider to make the most of the space. They have years of experience, hence can help with what best for loft conversion stairs as you know that stairs can take a large amount of space. So, it is essential not to lose much space inside the loft. Furthermore, they can help you with other design features such as windows, walls, lights etc.

At Pro Arkitects, we have a team of professionals who can help you decide which type of loft conversion stairs you should choose for the project depending on the budget and circumstances.

Mezzanine Loft Conversion

If you are finding a way to circumnavigate the need for safety features, then you should go with an open-plan mezzanine. It is a single room that has no separate walls and fire doors. It is always best to visit the official website for building regulations or to visit the office of the local authority to know details about your specific project.

Last Words

No matter, which type of loft conversion you want, stairs are essential to access this additional living space. If you have limited space, then you should consider an option that takes less space. You also need to meet safety standards.

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