How do loft conversions work

They are suitable for pretty much any house with a sloping roof. Dormer conversions are less expensive than mansard or hip-to-gable conversions, but will still add a good deal of extra headroom and floor space. Hip-to-gable conversions work by extending the sloping 'hip' roof at the side of your property outwards to create a vertical 'gable' wall, creating more internal loft space.

This type of conversion will only work on detached or semi-detached houses, as it requires a free sloping side roof. If you have a detached house with sloping roofs on either side, you can build on both of these to create an even more spacious double hip-to-gable extension. Mansard extensions run along the whole length of your house's roof and will alter the angle of the roof slope, making it almost vertical.

These tend to be the most expensive type of conversion, but will result in a significant amount of extra space. Mansard conversions are suitable for most property types, including terraced, semi-detached and detached houses. When hiring any tradesmen, it's best to start with a recommendation. Speak to friends and family, and have a look online to see if there are any local forums offering recommendations. If you've spotted any loft conversions along your street and you feel comfortable knocking on some doors, ask your neighbours who they used and how they found them.

You can also find local traders that have been given our seal of approval by heading to Which? Trusted Traders. You can also use our Trusted Traders search tool below to search for a trader.

When speaking with a builder or architect, ask to see examples of previous work. Most reputable companies will be happy to provide you with photographs, and some may be able to organise visits so you can speak to customers about their experiences and see conversions that they've completed up close.

It's a good idea to get at least three quotes for the work that you're planning, but be sure to factor in recommendations and your gut feel on the person or company, as well as price. Many loft conversions are covered by permitted development rights and won't need planning permission. However, 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.

You can find out more about whether you'll need planning permission, and any other permissions you might need, by visiting our guide to building regulations and planning permission. Roof space is anything that exists above the plasterboard, which is your ceiling and whatever it is that makes up your roof. Roof spaces exist when a pitched roof is used in conjunction with a flat ceiling, and they're in abundance in Australia because of their thermal properties, their superiority in terms of strength, and their water-shedding abilities.

Pitched roofs are generally constructed with timber trusses made up of triangles, which give them their strength. However, converting a dark and dusty roof space to a place of serenity isn't as simple as installing an attic ladder and slapping down some flooring. Functional rooms can be built within the roof space of homes with a roof pitch of 30 degrees or more, which is why inner-city terraces, California bungalows and Federation homes are perfect for this. Many modern homes, though, have roof pitches well under 30 degrees, which is generally unsuitable for a liveable loft conversion.

Let there be light and more space! Photo: Getty. The problem with loft conversions is that the framework in the ceiling space is only designed or engineered to support the roof and the ceiling. In this price guide we give you all the elements to make the very best choices for your loft conversion financial investment.

The variation in the cost per square meter depends upon the kind of loft conversion, the size of the modifications to the roofing system, the gain access to, the kind of ending up and the area.

Here are five reasons, Rolled steel joists are likewise specified to distribute the load, and in some setups are used to carry the ends of the brand-new joists. There needs to be sufficient space under the ridge of the roofing, preferably metres and a minimum of metres of space above the place of the new stair. Full loft conversions normally require a large range of alterations to be made, which might affect the initial structural integrity of the building.

As you can see there are numerous components that you should consider when planning a loft conversion. In the UK, the installation of a dormer goes through preparing authorization requirements from the local authorities just when specific guidelines aren't fulfilled.

This equates into higher costs, for numerous factors. Call Discover below what you require to know for a standard Loft Conversion and how much its likely to cost you.

A dormer is a window-featured extension of the roofing system, normally installed to provide more space and headroom within the loft, in addition to enhanced staircase access. This is structurally possible, however the major problems are the high cost and getting preparation authorization approval. The termroof pitch'refers to the slope of your roof. Will there be any disruptions to my home during construction?

While most companies will say that there will be minimal disruptions. The truth is that you have to deal with the noise of people above your house, the sound of tools and the dust from all that work might disturb you. However, most of the work is done in the loft area so you should be able to go about your day without any fuss. How long does a loft conversion take? The timeframe for your loft conversion depends on the complexity of the work.

How big is it going to be? What is the layout of your home? Do you have any special custom designs you want us to add?

These are all factors that affect the time it takes to complete your loft conversion. However, it takes no more than 8 weeks for a typical loft conversion and up to 12 weeks for a complex project. Do you build extensions? We can build extensions at the same time that the loft conversion is going on. Our versatile architects will create extensions that improve the value of your home.

What is a loft conversion? A loft conversion is a space under the roof of a house adapted into a living area such as bedroom, home office, play area or any design the client has in mind.

What are the different types of loft conversions? Popular options for loft conversion include Dormer loft conversion offers additional headspace. It is a structure attached to the roof to create more headspace with a window jutting from the roof. Mansard loft conversion is situated at the rear of a property.

It has a flat roof, with a sloping back wall and windows housed in small dormers. This require planning permission due to the major changes to the structure and shape of the roof. Velux loft conversion is a roof light conversion where the roofline is unchanged.

The Velux windows are installed to the roofline without altering the original roof structure. The cost of conversion is lower because there are minimal alterations. Will a loft conversion add value to my home? There are three things you can do to add value to your home. A new kitchen, a loft extension and a rear extension. A loft extension is a considerable investment on your Brighton home.

Note that the loft conversion that provides the highest return on investment comprises of a master bedroom and ensuite. Can I do a loft conversion in a conservation area? Properties on conservation areas have special character histories and features. It adds to the charm of the area but makes it difficult to do things like a loft conversion. You have to get planning permission from the Brighton planning authority, which could be subject to specific planning conditions.

How long does it take for plans to be approved by council? We have overseen many loft conversions in Brighton, and most of the plans take roughly 6 to 8 weeks to be approved. Sometimes it could take longer if the approver wants something added. Will I need a fire escape for my loft conversion? Smoke alarms are required for every level of the house, including the loft.

They must have a backup battery and be wired to the mains in case of a power failure. There must be a protected area from your loft to the ground floor to ensure the occupants are evacuated safely. Is the price fixed? The price for a loft conversion is fixed. We send you a fixed quote detailing what the final cost entails. If you want more than was initially agreed upon, it will come at an extra cost.

Who will supervise my loft conversion?