VELUX conversions

• No planning permission required
• Easy installation
• Low expense

A VELUX loft conversion allows you to convert your current loft space without altering the roofline of your house. This is usually the simplest and least expensive way to add extra living space to your property. Using the pitch of your roof, VELUX roof lights are installed between the existing rafters. These provide light and ventilation for your new room and rarely require planning permission.

Dormer conversions

• Planning permission is sometimes required
• Can be tricky to install
• Medium expense

A dormer conversion adds a square construction to your roof. This creates both floor space and ceiling height to maximise the size of your new loft. Dormer conversions can be positioned on the front, side or rear of your roof. Rear dormers are the most popular and can be added to most terraced and semi-detached houses, often without planning permission.

Mansard conversions

• Planning permission is always required
• Can be tricky to install
• High expense

A Mansard conversion adds brick sides and a flat roof to the rear of your property. This creates the maximum head height and floor space for your converted loft. The front of a Mansard conversion normally slopes inwards with windows housed in small dormers in-keeping with the character of your property. A Mansard conversion usually applies to terraced houses, where planning permission is required. However it is also used for flat roof properties or houses which fall within a conservation area.

Hip to Gable conversions

• Planning permission is always required
• Tricky to install
• High expense

A Hip to Gable conversion is when the existing ridge line of a hip-end roof is extended to the overall flank wall of the property converting the roof to a gable-end (changing the sloping side of your property 'hip' to a flat 'gable' end). Forming a gable wall above the existing side flank wall creates a more natural looking addition to your property and by matching the existing roof tiles it can appear as if the porperty washas never been altered.

This type of conversion can create much more space than a standard dormer conversion, potentially housing two new rooms and a bathroom - creating more standing space and space for the staircase to be fitted.