Types Of Loft Conversions – Your Starters Guides
Eaves style loft conversions are the type we all know where we have to duck slightly as we walk around the room. They make use of the existing space, and benefit from the addition of roof windows, often called Velux, drawing in significant amounts of light. They are seen as the most cost effective to complete, and involve little external structural work if any at all. This loft conversion rarely requires planning permission, but will require building regulations.
A front or rear dormer is a window featured addition to the rear of the roof. A dormer loft conversion will provide you with additional standing headspace, therefore adding to the larger feel of the room, as well providing a better space for the staircase access in most cases. Dormers to the rear of a property are very popular due to their aesthetic appeal. They do not detract from the design of the front of the property and 99% of the time do not need planning permission.
A Mansard is very similar to the modern dormer loft conversion. As such therefore a rear Mansard doesn’t need planning permission within a certain size. The Mansard is another common addition to Edwardian and Victorian homes, as well as more modern properties where the owner would like to add a bit of character, but at the same time maximise the space available, without the need to add a boxed dormer to the front or rear of their property.
The hip-to-gable loft conversion style extends the sloping side part of the roof (typically on an end of terrace or semi-detached property) out vertically, creating the gable, taking the wall all the way up to the ridge of the roof, adding significant height across the full width of the property. This required part of the roof being stripped and replaced, similar to a roof lift. The conversion usually falls under “permitted developments”, which doesn’t need planning permission.
If you’re wanting a new loft conversion but the existing attic space doesn’t have the headroom to make it viable, then a roof-lift is the answer. A roof-lift conversion is where the ridge line of your existing roof is raised by constructing a new roof to the right height and pitch, providing all the additional space needed to create a really good sized room or rooms.
As this type of loft conversion modifies the existing height of the roof line, then it will require planning permission.
The modern trussed loft was introduced during the late 1960’s as a way of making it cheaper to build a roof. Unfortunately, this means diagonal bracing timbers are used to give its strength. This in turn makes it more difficult to make into a usable loft space.
We find many companies do not have the expertise to complete these types of lofts. TVM Lofts have converted many of these into all types of loft including dormers.
Whilst this is not a ‘type’ of loft conversion as such, it is an important factor for some. With so much involved with converting a loft within building regulations and local planning laws, the cost can be too great for some. TVM Loft Conversions, however offer a DIY or Partial loft build, where we complete only what you need and leave the rest to you. Our most popular is for us to complete the structural shell work only including staircase and windows. This then leaves you weather tight and a big empty space to make whatever you choose.