Here is a complete guide to Loft Conversions

Loft conversions are a great cost efficient, and cost effective way of gaining more space and bedrooms. If you are in need of a new bedroom, we will always look to maximise space in the predominantly vacant loft space under Permitted Development.

We can provide the drawings & Designs you need

Whether you need Planning Permission, Building Control or a Certificate of Lawfulness, we can help provide all the relevant paperwork. All of this can be discussed on our free initial meeting, and our below calculator which will help guide you on relevant permission needed.

So, how do they look?

Example Drawings

You may require planning permission dependant on the size of your proposal. We will of course guide you on this, but this is what your planning drawings will look like as they come with different necessities for validation purposes.

The example on the left is how drawings will look in the preliminary phases of our designs, giving all necessary dimensions, 3D images and floor plans to show exactly what your proposal looks like. This is the stage where we go back and forward with you as the client to distinguish the best layout for your needs and wants, giving accurate visual representation of your design. From this we can take things forward into HD Internal images, Video walkthroughs and Virtual Reality.

Things to consider for your loft conversion

Altering the roof structure & Floor Joists

Most roofs are constructed with internal support struts in the loft, propping up the rafters and purlins (horizontal roof beams) in traditional cut and pitched roofs, and making up the web of braces in modern trussed rafter roofs.
All these have to be removed to make way for the new room and replaced with new supports that don’t encroach on the space available in the loft void.
There are many ways of altering roof structures for loft conversions, but they all have one common element –the ceiling joists will almost certainly be inadequate as floor joists. This means that new floor joists are fitted alongside them, slightly raised above the ceiling plasterboard to avoid contact with it.
These joists (often 200mm or 225mm in depth) will rise above the tops of the current ceiling joists to form the floor structure. Depending on their span they will bear either directly on to the existing wall plates of external and internal load-bearing walls, or on to newly installed beams.
In smaller lofts, it is often the case that the floor joists themselves will be used to support the sloping rafters. This is possible by constructing a dwarf timber stud wall 1m to 1.5m high, known as an ashlering, between the two. With the supporting ashlering in place, the internal struts and braces can now safely be removed.

Loft Conversion Stairs

Stairs are invariably tricky to design on loft conversion projects, as space for them is tight. Narrow winding flights are acceptable, but may prove impractical, because it’s difficult to get furniture up them.
Purpose-built staircases are around 10 times the cost of standard (off-the-shelf) designs, so bear this in mind when you’re planning your loft conversion.
If you do need a purpose-built loft conversion staircase, it pays to have the design approved by your Building Control officer before you actually commission them. Ask your joiner or builder to send Building Control a copy of the design.
As part of the fire safety upgrade for your loft (see below) your stairways should lead to a hall and an external door. If you have an open-plan arrangement where the stairs rise from a room, it is likely you’ll have to alter it, fitting a new partition wall or choice of escape routes.

Fitting Windows & Gaining Natural Light

You don’t need to make a lot of structural alterations to accommodate rooflight or skylight windows in your new loft conversion, which makes them relatively easy to fit. Typically the rafters on either side of the rooflight are doubled-up and trimmed across the top of the opening.
A popular alternative is to fit dormer windows, which are structures in themselves, as they have walls and a roof as well as the window itself.
At the rear of many homes dormer windows can fall into the permitted development quota and so may not require planning permission. At the front of the house, however, they will require planning permission, which is why you often see rooflights or skylights instead.
Dormer windows may be essential to maximise the headroom in the loft and provide useable space, but will need to be supported at the apex point (ridge). A ridge beam is installed beneath the apex before the dormer roof joists can themselves be fixed in place and the roof weathered.
It is at this stage, when the dormer windows are being constructed, that your loft conversion will be exposed to the elements, so you’ll need good temporary sheeting to protect against the weather.

Upgrading Loft Fire Safety

Loft conversions on bungalows have little effect on the fire safety of your home, beyond making sure that the new windows are large enough to escape out of. But in a house where two storeys become three, there are implications.
The new floor will need at least 30 minutes of fire-protection, which could mean re-plastering the ceilings below it and the loft room will have to be separated by a fire door, either at the top or bottom of the new stairs. You’ll also need one escape-sized window per room – some skylight windows are made specifically with this in mind.
Door self-closing devices are no longer required in homes. They’ve proven to be a risk to children’s safety because they can trap tiny fingers. Instead, existing doors on the stairway (ground and first floor) should be replaced with fire-resistant doors or upgraded – and this should be indicated on your loft conversion drawings for Building Control.
As part of the electrical installation, mains-powered smoke alarms should be installed on each floor of your home and these should be interlinked so that they all sound when one is activated. Most have a re-chargeable battery as a back-up that allows the supply to be extended from a lighting circuit if need be.

Loft Storage Ideas

When you convert your loft you are, of course, going to lose storage space. Make the most of what you have by using the eaves behind the ashlaring – fit access hatches and have roll-out storage bins made to fit. And if you insulate down the rafter line to the eaves you’ll create a warm store for your belongings.
Built-in wardrobes are also a great feature in loft bedrooms, where standard units won’t fit – and are among the most innovative loft storage conversion ideas.

Discover your project in virtual reality

With the latest model of Oculus Rift S, and our powerful software, we are able to walk you through your proposed, before it is even built so you know the design is perfect for your needs.

Click an image below!

Where do we fit in?

We can take care of every bit of paperwork you require, and guide on what is needed for your proposal.

Free Initial Meeting

We run through all your options on our first initial meeting, tell you what is possible and advise you on any potential issues. This meeting ultimately enables us to send you your free fixed fee quotation and to advise you of the process for your proposal.

Unlimited Design Stage

We offer a completely unlimited design stage incorporating as many ideas and design necessary to achieve the perfect outcome. We will only submit plans once you as the client are happy, and will not charge any extra for additional drawings within the fixed and agreed quote.

1 To 1 Management

With a team of 4 dedicated managers, your calls and messages will always be answered. We set up private What's App groups, and Pinterest folders so we have your best interest at heart at all times.

Contact us

Fill in this section below regarding any possible query you may have and a member of the team will get back in touch with you as soon as possible.
Thank you, your enquiry has been received! A member of the team will be in touch shortly.
Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.
Our offices
Suite 1C Warren House, 10-20 Main Road, Hockley, Essex SS5 4QS

Innovation Centre, Boundary Road, Colchester CO4 3ZQ

Suite 1B, The Stables, Cannons Mill Lane, Bishops Stortford CM23 2BN

Vision 25, Electric Avenue, Innova Park, Enfield EN3 7GD

2 Fountain Court, Victoria Square, St. Albans, Hertfordshire AL1 3FT
Head OFFICE
Suite 1C Warren House, 10-20 Main Road, Hockley, Essex SS5 4QS
WORKING HOURS
08:30 - 17:00, Mon to Fri
CONTACT
info@designspec.co.uk
01702 567955 - Hockley (Head Office)

01206 259310 - Colchester

01279 790123 - Bishops Stortford

02039 7051515 - Enfield

01727 627211 - St. Albans

02037 440666 - Richmond