Tag: loftconversion

Loft Conversion

What is The Best Loft Conversion For You

18th February 20220

Here is a guide to loft conversions to help pick the best one for you and your home. When choosing a project you must take into account the styles, budget, your existing roof structure and any planning restrictions you may face.  

Types of Loft Conversions  

There are four main types of conversions which are: 

  • Dormer 
  • Roof light 
  • Hip-to-gable  
  • Mansard  

Dormer Conversion  

Dormer conversions are one of the best and more popular loft conversion, they provide lots of extra space. A Dormer is an extension that is built on the slop of your roof. There are different types of Domer conversions you should know about such as: 

  • Single dormer 
  • Double dormer 
  • Flat-roofed dormer 
  • Gabled dormer  

Pros and cons of getting a Dormer 

Pros  

  • Suitable for most homes  
  • Less expensive than other conversions  
  • Adds a good amount of extra space 
  • Planning permission isn’t needed in most cases 
  • An option for most that houses that have sloping roofs 

Cons  

  • Not a quick process  
  • More structural changes than most conversions  

Roof Light Loft Conversion 

A roof light conversion is simply your existing loft is retained but rooflights are added. However, after that all you need to do is lay down flooring and add some stairs. Don’t forget about plumbing along with insulation. This is perfect for smaller spaces. 

Pros and cons of a Roof light conversion 

Pros 

  • The cheapest loft conversion  
  • Suitable if you live in a conservation area 
  • Not a lot of structural changes  
  • Least disruptive to the home 

Cons  

  • Less space provided than other conversions 

Hip-To-Gable Loft Conversion 

Hip-to-gable conversions work by extending the sloping roof at the side or your house outwards to create a vertical wall, creating more space. 

Pros and cons of a Hip-to-gable conversion 

Pros 

  • Natural looking  
  • Less expensive than extending outwards 

Cons  

  • More expensive than a dormer  
  • Can only be done on semi-detached or detached houses 
  • Only suits house’s with a sloping side roof 

Mansard Loft Conversion 

A Mansard conversion involves replacing the sloping roof structure with a wall that is almost vertical. The final roof is flat. This project can add a whole additional storey for say. 

Pros and cons of a Mansard conversion 

Pros  

  • A large amount of additional space 
  • Suitable for different types of properties 

Cons  

  • Expensive  
  • Does not look natural  
  • Complex project meaning it could take longer  

Planning Permission & Permitted Development 

Usually when wanting to convert your loft you will not need to do a full planning application as this will come under permitted development rights. In some cases, you will need to apply for planning permission. If you: 

  • Live in a flat or maisonette 
  • Exceed permitted development  
  • Live in a conservation area  

You will need to apply for permission. For your project to be considered as permitted development it must follow these set rules. Here are a few: 

  • Not to build higher than the highest part of the roof. 
  • Not have any dormers or extensions on the roof plane of the principal elevation facing the road. 
  • Be constructed with materials similar in appearance to the existing house. 

There are more rules you will have to follow under permitted development. 

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Architecture & Building

Understanding All Of The Details Of A Roof

15th December 20210

When it comes to the roof of your home, there are quite a few components. Here you can gain an understanding of all of the details that make up a roof.  

What is a ridge?  

Firstly, the ridge is defined as the highest point on a roof, often referred to as the peak. It is a horizontal line running the length of the roof where the two planes meet. 

A ridge beam is a necessary structural member that carries half of the roof load and must be used when building roofs with slopes less than 3/12.  

 If you are thinking of installing a loft conversion, you must measure from the floor to the ridge height to see if you have a minimum head height of 2.2 m.  

What is a hip?  

A hip roof has no vertical ends. It is sloped on all sides, with the slopes meeting in a peak. The hip is the external angle at which adjacent sloping sides of a roof meets.  

The hip provides the ideal protection from the weather, like heavy rain, snow, and high winds. This is because the sides are sloped towards the ground so the weather can slide off and makes the building more stable.  

Rafters –  

A rafter is a structural component that is used as a part of the construction. Typically, it runs from the ridge or hip of the roof to the wall plate of the external wall. Rafters contain two main outer beams which support the structure. In addition, they are usually laid side-by-side, providing a base to support roof decks and coverings. 

Valley –  

A valley is a gutter-like valley that runs between two sloped sections. They are used so that the rainwater has somewhere to escape.  

Although just like gutters, valleys undergo a fair amount of wear over time. They can leak, rust, and get blocked up; however, the repairs are a common situation and easy to fix.  

They are typically made of lead, concrete, or fiberglass. Although, aluminum is now growing in popularity, as a lightweight and rust-resistant alternative to older iron/ steel valleys.  

Rakes –  

The rake refers to the slanting edge of a gable roof at the end wall of the house. This f is most common in colder climates and consists of two sections sloping in opposite directions from the peak to allow for the best flow of water off the roof.  

They are important because they help keep your roof dry and they serve the important function of preventing water from getting into the fascia.  

Shingles –  

Finally, shingles are coverings consisting of individual overlapping elements. These elements are typically flat, rectangular shapes laid in courses from the bottom edge of the roof up. With each course overlapping the joints below.  

Roofing Terms | Brothers Roofing NJ

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Loft Conversion

Can You Have A Loft Conversion In A Terrace House?

8th November 20210

When it comes to extra space in your home, terrace houses often suffer from reduced space and the ability to extend. So, when terrace homeowners want to improve their homes, they should go for a loft conversion. This is because they want to create more room which provides comfortable and elegant accommodation. Although with every loft conversion you need to make sure that there is more than enough, headroom to make the most out of the space. 

What is a terrace house?  

A terrace house is also known as a townhouse, is a house in a row of houses that shares a wall with the houses next to it.  

DPS Ltd.

Yes, you can get a loft conversion in a terrace house, but you need to consider a few factors:

Budget –  

Loft conversions are not a cheap project; however, the value of the property will increase because you are adding an extra room. 

The cost of a simple Velux loft conversion will start at around £15,000, but this might not open up enough space in the roof void.  

Whereas, the more complex conversions will open up the space and have real potential for an extra room. These types of conversion will cost between £20,000 – £40,000 depending on the design you choose.  

Will you need Planning permission with a terrace house –  

Terrace house loft conversions don’t always require planning permission as long as they stay within permitted development.  

A loft conversion in a terrace house falls within permitted development so long as it:  

  • Has a head height of 2.2m  
  • Is not on protected land 
  • Is not higher than the existing roof 
  • Doesn’t disturb bats 
  • Does not extend the roof out at the front of the house 
  • Extends the roof space by a maximum 40m3  

If you are in a conservation area, you will need to apply for full planning permission  

Raising the roof on terrace houses –  

Designs that raise the roof will always require planning permission because the design will change the shape and height of the existing building. In addition, if your head height is not 2.2 m or above it may not be possible to raise the roof on terrace houses. This is because of the impact it would have on the neighbouring properties. And if you can’t raise the roof, you will be unable to get a loft conversion.  

Incorporate a Loft Conversion, Home Extension - e-architect

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Advice Center

Important Things To Know About The Party Wall Process

22nd October 20210

What is a party wall?  

A party wall is a dividing partition between two adjoining buildings that is shared by the occupants of each residence or business.  

The party wall act –  

The party wall act 1996 applies to houses in England and Wales and was devised to prevent building work that could compromise the structural integrity. The act can be used to stop disputes between neighbours and to help resolve them if they should arise.  

Overview –  

You must tell your neighbours if you want to carry out any building work near or on your shared property boundary.  

Party walls stand on the land of 2 or more owners and either:  

  • Form part of a building  
  • Don’t form part of a building, such as a garden wall  

Walls on one owner’s land used by other owners to separate their buildings are also party walls.  

Party wall agreement –  

You must tell your neighbours and provide them with a notice and come up with an agreement in writing. If you use a builder or an architect, they can advise you on this. 

Once you’ve given notice your neighbour can:  

  • Give consent in writing  
  • Refuse consent  
  • Serve a counter notice requesting additional works be done at the same time 

Your neighbours must let you know in writing within 14 days if they consent to your notice, and you must do the same with a counter-notice   

The following works require you to obtain a party wall agreement  

  • Any work to shared walls between semi-detached and terraced houses  
  • Work to garden boundary walls  
  • Loft conversions that mean cutting into the wall  
  • Making party walls thicker or higher  
  • Building a second storey extension above a shared wall  
  • Building a new wall up to or off the party wall  

What happens if a neighbour ignores the act – 

If an adjoining owner doesn’t respond, then you may appoint a surveyor to act for the adjoining owner. The act allows you to do this without having any further discussion with a neighbour.  

What is a Party Wall?

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Conversions, Extensions

Things To Know Before Getting A Dormer Extension

15th October 20210

A dormer is a staple to a lot of people when it comes to a loft conversion however, it isn’t to everyone’s taste. Although, they play a really important role in creating more space on the inside, and add a little more character to the outside. 

What is a dormer? 

A dormer is a roofed structure, often containing a window, that projects vertically beyond the plane of a pitched roof. There are many various types and shapes of roof dormers. It can be large or small, have a pitched or flat roof depending on the planning permission.  

The function of a loft dormer is to create daylight and headroom in a sloping roof space. Once you have one installed the space below the pitched roof can be used. This means that the space can be transformed into a new bedroom, bathroom, or living area.  

Many people are not a fan of dormers because they don’t always look as good on the outside as they do on the inside. But if they are designed well, and by a good architect then they are a great contribution to the roof.  

Some of the different types are:  

  • Gable fronted – The most common type. It has a pitched roof of two sloping planes, supported by an outward face. 
  • Hip roof dormer – It has a roof composed of three sloping planes that rise from each side of the frame. 
  • Flat roof dormer – The roof of this is a single flat plane approximately horizontal.  
  • Shed dormer – This also has a flat plane roof, but it is sloped in the same direction as the principal roof.  
  • Lucarne – A dormer on the slope of a gothic spire, usually slender and gable fronted.  
Dormer Windows 101: All You Need to Know - Bob Vila

Will you need planning permission for a dormer extension? 

Planning permission is often not required however, whether or not you need planning permission will depend on these factors: 

  • The size 
  • What type of house you live in 
  • Where you live in the UK 

If you are within the permitted development rights, you can go ahead without planning permission.  

History of dormers –  

The word dormer comes from the middle French, meaning “sleeping room”, as dormers provided light and space to attic-level bedrooms. Dormer windows were popularised by French architect Francois Mansart (1598 – 1666), who used dormers extensively in the mansard roofs he designed for 17th century Paris. Although, the first dormer window appeared in residential roofs in 16th century Britain.  

17th-century French dormers

The Prices –  

Dormer window prices can vary massively per specialist. The average price is between £2250 – £3600. Whereas, a dormer loft conversion in the UK can cost anything upwards of £20,000 or around £500 – £600-meter square. And depending on what you would like to include the prices will increase. For example, the cost for a master bedroom with an ensuite will sit around £35,000 – £45,000. Dormers have an average return on investment value of 60 –70%.  

How long do they take to build? 

Determined by the overall size and roof work requirements, a dormer loft conversion may take four to six weeks to complete. A hip to gable end conversion may also take up to 6 weeks.  

Depending on the workmanship and degree of weathering the roof gets the average longevity of one is 25 years.  

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