Carrying out a loft conversion can be one of the easiest and most cost-effective ways of adding extra living space – and value - to your home. And since it stands alone, this extra space is extremely versatile. It can be used for an office, snug, playroom, extra bedroom, bathroom – pretty much anything you want!
The main styles of loft conversion are: Mansard, Dormer, Hip-to-Gable, L-Shaped and Roof-Light. Although budget will play a significant role in determining which style you choose, your existing roof structure and when your property dates from will also need to be considered.
Loft conversions often fall under Permitted Development (PD) and your architectural designer will be able to check and advise if your home benefits from PD rights. If you do not have PD rights in place then you will need to seek planning permission, which your architectural designer can do for you. Even under Permitted Development, there are strict parameters for building loft conversions, which we are always mindful to adhere to.
To determine if your home is suitable for a loft conversion, the most basic points to consider are:
· head height, and
· roof structure
At least 2.2m of usable height is needed for a loft conversion. When considering available space, we will also look at existing features in the loft such as a water tank or chimney stack.
The roof structure is generally formed by roof trusses or rafters. Rafters lend themselves best to a loft conversion as they run along the edges, leaving lots of free space in the middle. Trussed roofs are trickier to convert but it is possible to replace their ‘W’ shaped rafters with an ‘A’ shaped structure to create more open space.
There are many architectural design and structural engineering factors to take into consideration to make the best use of loft space. A well thought through and professionally built loft conversion can add both comfort and value to your home. If you are interested in converting your loft and would like more information, contact our team who would be happy to advise.