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EXISITNG ROOF STRUCTURE
Your existing roof is designed to keep out the elements and is used for internal storage. Following a loft conversion, your roof will have to cope with significant loadings, for example, new RSJ supports, a new floor structure, and some form of Dormer or Hip to Gable conversion style. Roofs can generally be divided into two types.
Trussed roofs common since the 1970s are difficult to convert. These are complex pieces of engineering and require advice from a structural engineer should you wish to alter them. When converting, it’s common for a series of beams (RSJs) to be installed to provide support to the new floor and strengthen the rafters. This allows the bracing sections of the trusses to be cut out to create a clear floor area for your new living space.
Traditional roofs are generally made up of a series of rafters and purlins spanning between load-bearing walls. These roofs are less complicated to convert.
ACCESS
If you’re considering converting your loft, you will need to install a new staircase to service this new area. If there’s enough headroom it is often best to continue the stairs in the existing stairwell. This saves space and gives a feeling of continuity within the home. Alternatively, part of another room will have to be partitioned off to accommodate the new staircase. Wherever the stairs are installed they should be designed in accordance with the following guidance:
Fire precautions are a major concern for Building Regulations. When converting your loft, you will need to ensure you have mains-powered, interlinked smoke detectors in the hall and/or landing areas of every floor.
Escape windows or Velux windows need to be big enough to allow people to escape or be rescued through them in the event of an emergency. The bottom of the opening window should be no more than 1100mm above floor level.
Heating
To maximize the usability of your loft conversion you will need to install heating. The most effective way of doing this is to extend the existing central heating system. Loft Care can investigate with our plumbing team whether your existing boiler has sufficient capacity to serve any additional radiators. New radiators should be fitted with thermostatic valves to control the room temperature.
Electrics
This will be a vital part of your loft conversion. Depending on your existing electrical system it is sometimes possible to extend existing circuits. Sometimes new circuits and even a new distribution board will be required. Loft Care will liaise with its electrical team as to the viability of your existing electrical circuitry at an early stage. This will be required before your Building Regulations Completion Certificate can be issued and you will incur additional costs if the test certificates have not been provided.
Lighting
Lighting is so important for the success of your loft conversion, in a successful interior lighting scheme, different light sources should be combined. Good lighting options on sloping ceilings can include led-down lights. A section of flat ceilings beneath the ridge or within a dormer window is the ideal surface for these units. Ambient lighting can be achieved with floor and table lamps, providing they are on a switched lighting circuit so that they can be controlled, and ideally dimmed from the main wall switches.
Bathrooms
Ideally located above your original bathroom ensuring you can connect to the existing drainage and water supplies without the need for excessive pipework. Any bath or shower room will also need to be fitted with an extractor fan to improve ventilation.
Thermal Insulation
The most common way of achieving this is to place high-performance insulation boards in between and below the rafters. Unless your roof has a breathable felt you will need to leave a void above the insulation and ensure that you have effective roof ventilation to prevent the build-up of condensation.
Sound Insulation
To reduce unwanted noise from the walls and floors, the bedroom(s) will need to be insulated to reduce sound transmission. This is generally achieved by placing insulation boards in the floor void and in the partitions around the bedroom(s). If you are converting the loft of a semi-detached or terraced property you will need to ensure that the sound resistance of the Party Wall is upgraded so that sound transmission to your neighbors is reduced.
LOFT CONVERSION
Loft Care can provide a complete design and planning service package, ensuring you maximize your loft space at your property, whilst working to a budget and taking into consideration the latest building regulations and strict planning guidelines from your local authority.
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PROCESS
If you are considering getting a loft conversion constructed at your property, and are interested in finding out the process, let us take you through step-by-step as to what the typical loft conversion schedule looks like, so you can get an insight as to what to expect.
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DESIGN & PLANNING
Depending on which tailored service you decide to use our architects and structural surveyors will attend your property to complete a full site survey for building regulation drawings that you will require to fully understand the layout and potential your property has.
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CONSIDERATIONS
Your existing roof is designed to keep out the elements and is used for internal storage. Following a loft conversion, your roof will have to cope with significant loadings, for example, new RSJ supports, a new floor structure, and some form of Dormer or Hip to Gable conversion style. Roofs can generally be divided into two types.
READ MORE
NEW REVIEWS
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FAQ
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
1. How high does my loft area need to be for a conversion?
A loft conversion requires there to be approximately at least 2.2 meters in height from the top of the floor joists to the bottom of the ridge board. If not, your property might be eligible for several different types of loft conversion. Depending on the property’s structure, we could lower your existing ceiling joists to enable sufficient height required to construct a loft conversion.
2. Do I need planning permission for my loft conversion?
Planning laws changed in 2008, meaning most loft conversions could be possible without the need for planning permission thus making the process a lot simpler for many homeowners.
This law change means that homeowners can extend their roof space by adding a dormer or hip-to-gable conversion by 50 cubic meters for a detached or semi-detached property and by 40 meters for a terraced house. This is called the permitted development allowance. However, there are several exceptions to the permitted development allowance rule, namely, flats and maisonettes will always need planning permission. If the property is located or listed within a conservation area, or if the roof height is being increased then these will require full planning permission and meet the policy design guidelines of your local council.
3. What is building control?
The building control office located within a local authority is in place to ensure any building work undertaken conforms to building regulations, this includes, design, construction methods, and approved materials.
Internal loft alterations (even non-structural ones) may affect fire safety, so prudent to contact the local authority.
4. If we are required to submit a full planning application, how long will it take for a decision?
Normally the council will advise of their decision within eight weeks.
5. What if my neighbours object?
6. What is a party wall agreement, and will I need one?
A party wall is an existing wall or structure shared with an adjoining property, for example, the wall between two terrace houses. As most loft conversions may affect the structure of a party wall you will need to notify all adjoining neighbours. Typical works:
- Changing the height of a party wall.
- Breaking into a wall to insert a structural beam.
- Underpinning a party wall where needed.
The above is covered by the Party Wall etc. Act 1996
7. What is a party wall agreement, and will I need one?
A party wall is an existing wall or structure shared with an adjoining property, for example, the wall between two terrace houses. As most loft conversions may affect the structure of a party wall you will need to notify all adjoining neighbours. Typical works:
- Changing the height of a party wall.
- Breaking into a wall to insert a structural beam.
- Underpinning a party wall where needed.
The above is covered by the Party Wall etc. Act 1996
8. How do I serve a party wall agreement?
Next steps - give notice in writing to all owners of when you plan to do it, and how it will impact them. Served at least two months before the work on the party wall is due to start. Your neighbour may agree to work starting earlier but is not obliged to, they have 14 days to respond. Any agreement from other owners must be gained in writing.
If agreement on the work is not reached, an "agreed surveyor" can be appointed to draw up an "award". This award will typically set out the work to be done, how and when it will be carried out, and will include a report on the existing condition of the adjoining property. These costs are typically covered by the owner of the property converting their loft.
9. Is there disruption when constructing a loft conversion?
Throughout any building works there will always be some sort of disruption. With the process of converting a loft, most of these works (85/90%) are carried out in the loft area, therefore minimizing the risk of disorder. The only time you will potentially experience any disruption will be when the team breakthrough your existing ceiling for the new staircase to service the new loft area, this will be no longer than 2 days.
10. Health and Safety & Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015 (CDM 2015)
At Loft Care, we are continuously committed to ensuring the health & safety along with the welfare of our employees, contractors, clients, and the public. We are fully aware of our legal duties under the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974.
Separately, we ensure the implementation of the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015 (CDM 2015) in the domestic construction sector, guaranteeing these duties are passed on to the contractor.
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Loughton
Essex
IG10 1PF
Phone
0800 002 9411
info@loftcare.co.uk
