Loft Conversions

For many homeowners a loft conversion is by far the best value-for-money home improvement you can make. Traditionally the way of achieving more habitable rooms in the home has been to build an extension but over the last 10-20 years loft conversions have become increasingly popular with more and more people choosing to extend up rather than out.

Most houses today can have up to 30% of their total floor area under the roof which is often unused space consisting of just a chimney stack, water storage tank and a box of Christmas decorations. Utilising this available space can often prove be the most cost effective solution as you are working with the existing footprint of the property and not adding to it, avoiding the construction costs for new foundations and the moving of any services or underground drainage.

Types and Styles of Loft Conversions

There are a number of ways to convert your loft, from a simple VELUX conversion to a side/rear dormer window through to a full hip-to-gable conversion. CLICK HERE for more information on the conversion types available.

The shape and construction of your existing roof will be a major factor in deciding what is achievable when converting your loft into habitable area and the more space available the greater the options you will have when deciding the internal layout.

If you are unsure which style of conversion is appropriate for your property please call us on FREEPHONE 0800 822 3786 where an experienced member of our team will be happy to discuss your ideas and advise you on any requirements you may have.

Whether you would like to create an additional bedroom with en-suite facilities or a playroom for the children you first need to establish whether your existing loft space has the potential to be converted.

Is my loft suitable for a conversion?

Some roof spaces are more easily converted than others. If your property was build before 1965 it will probably be the most suitable for a loft conversion. Properties built with a modern trussed roof can be converted but more structural work will be required to keep the roof supported.

The easiest way to see if your existing space is suitable for a conversion is by going up into your loft and checking that the necessary height of 2.3m (7ft 6”) is available at its highest point (the roofs apex). If it is not, a conversion may still be possible but this could require the lowering of the ceiling below.

See the diagrams below to identify the style of your roof.

Traditional (Pre 1965)		Modern (Post 1965)
Rafter and Purlin Roof Construction		Trussed Rafter Roof Construction
This type of roof, Pre 1965, is ideal for loft conversions as it usually has a steep pitch and relatively clear spaces between the supporting framework.		This type of roof, used widely in new homes in Britian since 1965, usually has a shallower pitch and more struts. As a result they are more difficult to convert. Look out for the thin sections of wood (typically 75mm or 3" deep) and the tell tale rectulangular metal plates used to join the timber together.

To access your lofts’ full potential you will require a full professional assessment. To arrange a FREE no-obligation visit from one of our local surveyors who will be able to advise you on all of your options please call us on FREEPHONE 0800 822 3786.