Wondering if your loft is suitable for conversion? It's an important question and although the answer is often yes, and the vast majority of houses are ideal for converting upwards, there are issues that can potentially affect some properties’ suitability.
Is your roof space big enough for a loft conversion?
Apr 15, 2019 · Is my loft suitable for conversion? Converting the loft could help to create the extra space in your home that you want. This can be very cost-effective but before you dive in, you need to take the time to consider all that is necessary with a project of this size. It is also wise to take the time to choose who to work with.
How can I increase the value of my loft?
Mar 15, 2021 · Wondering if your loft is suitable for conversion? It's an important question and although the answer is often yes, and the vast majority of houses are ideal for converting upwards, there are issues that can potentially affect some properties’ suitability.
Can a loft be used as a living area?
Is my loft suitable for conversion? Ideally, the pitch should be at a higher angle, so that the central head height is the highest possible. Any angle above 30 degrees would work best. In order for your proposed loft conversion to pass building regulations, it must measure 2.2 metres from the floor to the highest point. Click to see full answer.
What pitch angle is too low for a loft?
Although most lofts can be converted in one way or another, not all lofts are suitable for conversion. There are a number of reasons why a loft might not be suitable for a loft conversion, from insufficient space, planning restrictions or neighbours unwilling to provide consent for the work to go ahead.
How do you know if you can convert your loft?
Measure the head height. The minimum height you need for a loft conversion is 2.2 metres and you can easily measure this yourself. Run a tape measure from the floor to the ceiling at the tallest part of the room. If it's 2.2 metres or more, your loft should be tall enough to convert.Oct 29, 2021
Is my roof suitable for a loft conversion?
By and large, most roofs are suitable for a loft conversion. The main consideration is their head height. Put simply, this will be the height of the ceiling when the room is converted. If you have a traditional roof with inverted 'V' shaped rafters, you'll need a minimum of 2.2 metres at the roof's highest point.Sep 11, 2019
Where do you put stairs for a loft conversion?
Where Should Loft Conversion Stairs be Located? In an ideal situation, your loft conversion stairs would be above the existing stairs as this is the most space efficient solution. "This is the best way to try and make the new stairs look like they have always been there too," says Emma Tucker from Simply Loft.Jan 5, 2022
Does a loft conversion need planning permission?
Most loft conversions are considered permitted development, which means you won't need to get planning permisson as long as the building work fits certain criteria. So, if you're looking to get a simple conversion with roof windows, you generally don't need to worry (but it's best to check).May 19, 2021
How long does it take to convert a loft?
How long does a loft conversion take? For an average house in the UK, a standard loft conversion will usually take somewhere in the region of 6 – 8 weeks. That timeframe will depend on the size of the loft, the complexity of the conversion and the amount of labour involved to complete the project.
How much headroom do you need for a loft conversion?
To meet Building Regulations, you’ll need to ensure that the stairs have a headroom of at least 1.9 metres, with a maximum pitch of 42 degrees.
How high should a loft be?
As a general rule, and to meet Building Regulations, your loft will need to have a ceiling height of at least 2.2 metres from the floor to the highest point (though you’ll probably want more than that to be safe). This is to allow for a finished loft with headroom of at least 1.9m, once new floor structure has been built up and the roof rafters have been lined with thick layers of insulation.
Can you convert a loft?
Although most lofts can be converted in one way or another, not all lofts are suitable for conversion. There are a number of reasons why a loft might not be suitable for a loft conversion, from insufficient space, planning restrictions or neighbours unwilling to provide consent for the work to go ahead.
How high should a staircase be?
In relation to ceiling height, 2.2 metres across the central part of the room is preferable in bedrooms and living room conversions, while a minimum of 1.8 metres (usually 2 metres) from floor to ceiling is required by law at the top of the staircase.
Can you use a loft as a living area?
Often , even though the middle part of the room may have sufficient headspace, the pitch of the roof may be so severe that it becomes impractical to use the loft as a living area without alterations.
Is your home suitable for lofting
Lofting is not possible if your house is completely packed, you will need a specified amount of free space for lofting. You should consider making a pathway to reach a room and there should be enough sunlight and heating in the room.
Whom should I use to do my loft conversion?
Architect/ Technician - You can always appoint an architect or a technician who will draw up some plans for your room and tell you what is exactly suitable for a loft conversion. You will have to get the necessary approvals for the loft conversion.
Where is your house?
While this might seem like a strange question, it’s important to remember that in certain parts of Britain, especially London, you may be restricted in the type of loft conversions available to you. Houses within conservation areas will need to follow a strict set of guidelines when designing their new space.
What type of property do you live in?
Whether it’s detached, semi-detached, or terraced, there’s a whole host of conversion options for varying types of property. Typically, detached homes offer the cheapest conversion methods, but others might experience more space after construction. To find out more about your property type, click here.
Do you own the loft space?
Of course, right? Well, you’d be surprised. If your property is on a leasehold or is a leasehold flat, then you may not own the loft space above your property.
Is there enough height?
Every question in this article matters, but this one probably matters most. Without the right amount of height, your loft conversion options could be limited, or too costly to construct. To measure your space, you need to read the distance between the top of the floor joists to the underside of the ridge beam (the highest beam at the roof tip).
What are your goals, do they meet your budget?
Before heading out to meet your project manager, have a good think about what it is you’re looking to get out of your space. Bedroom and bathroom? What size rooms are you looking to achieve? Don’t forget there’s going to be stairs too. After it’s built, you’ll need to furnish it. If you can visualise it, we can make it happen.
Is my attic suitable for a loft conversion?
Before you start work on your new loft conversion there are a number of things that need to be considered. Here at Lofts Kitchens Extensions our team of master builders have pulled together a list of considerations all prospective loft converters should think about before embarking on the dream loft conversion project.
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Ownership
First and foremost, you’ll need to check who is the legal owner of the loft space. If you are a leaseholder on the top floor flat, for example, there’s a good chance the loft belongs to the freeholder – even if access to it can only be gained via your property.
Head height
Depending on the type of building you live in (and most likely, the date it was built), the minimum headroom required by law may differ. As a general rule, 2.2m from floor to ceiling at its highest point is the threshold for undertaking a loft conversion.
Obstructions
Many properties – especially older ones – often position obstructions in their loft space, including water tanks and chimney stacks. While neither of these is an absolute barrier to converting your loft, they can necessitate removal or reorganisation of the loft’s layout, which often entails higher costs and slower conversion times.
Location
One other important factor is the council where the property is located, since each council can have different rules. If the property is in a conservation area, rules for alterations are stricter – but that doesn’t mean a loft conversion is out of the question.
Permission
Remember that many loft conversions are possible without obtaining planning permission, within permitted development rights, if the conditions are met.
