5 things to know about Loft Conversions
By Kem Maraz
Loft conversions are a smart and stylish way of extending your home without moving!
The average attic occupies the largest square footage in your home and usually easy to transform into a practical space solution. A loft conversion provides you with much needed space in your home, as well as significantly increasing its value. In fact, studies show that a property can increase as much as 20% above market value if improvements, such as a loft conversion, have been carried out. Additionally, converting the loft in your home into usable space can save you the money and upheaval it would take to move to a bigger home. With just about 5 weeks for a complete conversion, you will get the space you need without having to move.
If you are planning for a loft conversion, there are 5 important factors you need to take into consideration. The following 5 key factors will help you understand what loft conversion involves, how it will affect your property, and whether it is the right way to add more space to your home.
1- Do I have enough headroom?
To make sure having enough headroom is the first thing to know about loft conversions. Before starting a loft conversion, you need to be certain that your loft is high enough to support a conversion. Some lofts just aren’t tall enough, and this can cause a lot of issues down the line. Building regulations specify that a standard loft should be at least 180 cm from the floor.
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. Victorian houses tend to be lower than those built from 1930 onwards, so may not have sufficient head height.
2- What type loft conversion can I build?
The type of loft conversion you choose will determine the amount of money you spend on your project. The cheapest method involves converting the current space without building out from the roof. The most expensive type is Mansard conversion. There are four main types of loft conversion: roof light, dormer, hip-to-gable and mansard.
Dormer loft conversions are the most popular type of loft conversions. It is when a box shaped structure is added onto a pitched roof, creating walls that sit at a 90 degree angle to the floor. This helps to expand not only your headspace, but floorspace too.
3- Is Planning Permission required for loft conversion?
Majority of loft conversions do not need planning permission. Most houses have a built-in allowance of a permitted upgrade. Permitted development is the amount you can extend outside of the original building. Often, you will only need planning permission if you loft goes outside this allowance.
If you live on designated land or have a certain style of property that’s tricky to convert, you may not be covered by permitted development.
Building regulations apply to loft conversions to ensure, for example, that the structural strength of the new floor is sufficient, the stability of the existing structure is not endangered, there are safely designed stairs to the new floor and reasonable sound insulation exists between the conversion and the rooms below. There are also fire safety regulations with which you may need to comply.
4- Do I need to let my neighbours know about my loft conversion?
Another very important thing to know about loft conversions is to be a good neighbour. If your home is not detached, you will need to secure a party wall agreement with your neighbours. This agreement is necessary because your project will affect the walls that you share with others. Your neighbour must agree and allow you to work on the wall that adjoins your properties. You may want to sort this matter as early as possible to give you ample time to settle any disagreements or delays that may arise.
5- Where can I get expert advice and support for my loft conversion?
Planning Design London offers expert advice and support on your loft conversion project. Although it is called Permitted Development, it has to meet certain limits and conditions. Planning Design London based in Sidcup – Kent and has years of experience on designing loft conversions in Bexley, Bromley, Croydon, Greenwich, Lewisham, Lambeth, Southwark, Dartford, Gravesham, Maidstone, Medway, Sevenoaks, Tunbridge, Malling.
We tried to explain 5 things to know about loft conversions. If you are looking for a quality and affordable architectural designer, contact us now! Do not forget to check our reviews on Google!
