5 things you need to know
before converting your loft
By Matthew Currington, Technical Director, The Lighting Superstore
Loft conversions are ideal when space is at
a premium, but while they’ll free up space in
your home, they can be financially draining. your ceiling doesn’t measure up, you’ll need
to lower the floor or heighten the roof, which
can be costly and messy work.
An attic transformation means a lot of
work, so the Lighting Superstore is here to
walk you through the key considerations to
ensure your conversion goes smoothly. Most residential homes aren’t detached, so
you’ll need a party wall agreement. If you’re
making structural changes to a shared party
wall, you’ll need to get written permission
from a neighbour between 2–12 months
before work begins.
The lofty logistics
A loft conversion means more than just
knocking down beams, with planning
permission, building regulations and shared
walls among the considerations.
Firstly, you need a minimum ceiling height of
2.2m to accommodate your conversion. If
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Loft conversions typically don’t require
planning permission if you meet certain
criteria. However, large changes are required
to meet building regulations to ensure the
structure is stable and safe. If you’re unsure,
your architect or surveyor should be on hand
to guide you.
Choosing the right conversion
The most common loft conversion is a
dormer conversion – an additional space
built onto an existing roof. They create more
room than other conversions and avoid the
slanted walls typical of many conversions.
Dormer conversions typically cost upwards
of £20,000 but benefit from not requiring
planning permission.
If you have a sloped or ‘hipped’ roof, a single
or double hip to gable conversion is likely
the best option. This type of conversion
extends outwards from the sloped side of
the roof, adding a vertical wall, and can cost
upwards of £30,000.