Thinking about a loft conversion ?
Loft conversions are a popular way to increase space in houses, but they are usually more complicated to build than extensions and have more limits put on them. This is a guide for home owners thinking about a loft conversion. Our architect can give you more detailed information .
Do I need permission to convert my loft into a room ?
Most loft conversions are carried out without planning permission but the project will need to be passed by your local council building regulations
If the loft will become a room, such as a bedroom, study or playroom, the work must meet the building regulations. full plans or building notice application, and a Building Control Surveyor must inspect the work.
If you want to use the loft for storage, the building regulations will apply, but not as strictly.
Many loft conversions don't need planning permission because they fall inside your development rights. But planning permission is separate from building regulations approval.
We check with your local councill building department if :
you want to put in dormer windows;
the building is in a conservation area; or
the building is listed.
What regulations apply ?
The building regulations maintain reasonable standards of health and safety for people in and around buildings. The main things to take into account in loft conversions are:
structural stability;
fire escapes;
resistance of materials to fire;
resistance of materials to damp;
ventilation;
stairways; and
insulation.
Is the existing structure strong enough ?
We will need to check the strength of:
the load-bearing walls (and foundations in some cases);
the existing first floor lintels;
and the ceiling joists. (You will usually need to add larger floor joists.)
You will may have to change the roof structure as well to make a clear space
for the room.
Do I need steel beams ?
Most loft conversions need extra beams to support the new floor joists and roof. The structural design of a loft conversion is often more complicated than an extension. So we use a professional structural engineer to do the calculations for your project.
Do I need fire doors ?
Lofts are a long way above the ground, so we consider fire escape routes.
If you have a two-storey house, you have two options.
We usually use an escape window into your loft room with enough
space below it to allow rescue by ladder. We also need to fit self-closing devices
to the doors opening onto the staircase to make a protected path to a ground-floor
exit. (The door to the loft room must be a self-closing fire door.)
You can have self-closing fire doors around the whole staircase so that the
doors make a fully-protected path to the ground-floor exit.
If you have an open-plan layout, you must put in walls to separate your stairs
from any rooms, and link them to an escape route to the outside.
Roof light or roof window
Clear window or roof light opening of 0.33m2 and at least 450mm high and 450mm wide.
Dormer window
Clear window opening of 0.33m2 and at least 450mm high and 450mm wide.
Do I need smoke detectors ?
You must have fitted mains-powered interlinked smoke detectors at each level in the hall and on each landing.
Do I need a staircase ?
You must put in a fixed staircase to give safe access to and from
the new room. The regulations cover things like staircase steepness, headroom,
step sizes and rails.
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