28 Oct What houses are compatible with loft conversions?
Your Questions Answered
Is my house suitable for a loft conversion?
We work on a number of homes in Essex, and the one question we are asked the most is ‘is my house suitable for a loft conversion?’ A lot of people assume that the home that they live in isn’t suitable for a loft conversion, due to its age, layout, or roof height. The great news is that so many properties in and around Essex are suitable for loft conversions. Dormer loft conversions are one of the most versatile kinds of conversions, and they work with a range of properties. A hip to gable loft conversion is also suitable for range of homes, along with a Velux conversion.
Of course, if you need to apply for planning permission that may dictate what kind of loft conversion that you can have. Be sure to check with us on this or all the relevant local authorities before you proceed with any work.
Is my loft suitable for conversion?
So many people reach out to ask us ‘is my loft suitable for conversion?’. It’s hard to give a blanket answer as properties vary so much across Essex. The first thing that you need to do is identify what kind of roof you have. If your house was built before 1965, it will have what’s referred to as a traditional roof. They differ from modern roofs in that the rafters form an M shape that meet in the middle of the loft. This kind of roof is easy to convert depending on head height – we recommend 2.2m – 2.3m as a minimum height at the ridge.
If your home was built after 1965, then you likely have a trussed roof. This kind of roof has rafters that are a W shape. They tend to be a little trickier to convert, as the W shape of the rafters means that the frame takes up most of the space in the loft and removing them requires more structural work to convert. As a result, the whole roof needs strengthening, head height– we recommend 2.3m – 2.4m as a minimum height at the ridge. Essex boasts a large number of new build properties, and we have worked on a number of trussed roofs over the years. So, a conversion is still more than likely possible!
What is the minimum head height for a loft conversion?
When you are looking into converting your loft, you will hear a lot about something called minimum head height. So, what is the minimum head height for a loft conversion in the UK? After all, you’ll need to comply with all building rules if you are going to convert your loft in line with all current UK regulations. It’s usually a rule of thumb the head height in a loft is no lower than 2.4 metres – but that’s no hard and fast rule! We like to assess all loft conversions on a case-by-case basis, and we will take a close look at your loft to see which options are most suitable. If your roof is lower, there may be workarounds to give you the loft conversion you desire and remain in line with regulations.
Does my loft area have enough head height?
Asking yourself ‘does my loft area have enough head height?’ It’s all too easy to assume how much head height you have in your loft, but the best thing you can do is get it professionally measured. A member of our team will carry out a full inspection and will be able to give you an accurate measurement and present all of the available loft conversion options to you. So why not give us a call today, and get the answers that you are looking for?