A loft conversion is often the most budget-friendly and most effective space addition available to your home. With a world of potential that comes with adding a new, private and modernised room, you can do incredible things with your space without sacrificing any outdoors space.
Whether you’re looking for an added bedroom, study or workspace, entertainment room, somewhere for the family to relax, or anything else you could need, we have decades of experience creating perfectly tailored design solutions to provide the ideal loft conversion space.
Contact our friendly team today to discuss your requirements in full and we’ll do everything we can to give you the best service possible.
Can my Loft Be Converted?
Before you do anything else, you need to work out whether your loft space is actually suitable for a conversion. The main factors that determine if your loft can be converted are the available head height, the pitch and the type of structure. Other considerations will be in areas like the position of the chimney breast, water tanks, and other features form elsewhere in the property. With a simple inspection of the roof space, we will be able to let you know if your roof can be converted. Most homes in the UK do have available space in the loft for conversion just waiting to be utilised.
We’re highly experienced with all forms of conversion and extension and will always give you the best advice for your personal situation.
Different type of Loft Conversions
Dormer conversions – A dormer loft conversion is an extension that protrudes from the slope of the roof and is one of the most commonly chosen loft conversion types in Bristol or Bath. Dormer conversions are less expensive than mansard or hip-to-gable conversions but will still add a good deal of extra headroom and floor space at the same time. Most houses with a sloping roof will be suitable for a dormer conversion.
Roof light conversions – These conversions are by far the cheapest and least disruptive option. This is because you won’t have to make any changes to the pitch or the shape of the roof. To make it a habitable room, all you need to do is add skylight windows, lay down a proper floor, and add a staircase. The only downside to this type of conversion is that you have to make sure you have enough headspace already in the loft, but we’ll work with you the ensure the most practical build possible.
Hip-to-gable conversions – This type of conversion will only work on detached, semi detached or bungalow properties. It requires a free sloping side roof, which by extending the sloping ‘hip’ roof at the side of your property outwards, will create a vertical ‘gable’ wall. This will make more internal headroom and is one of the most spacious loft conversion types as a result.
The majority of loft conversions that we work with in Bristol and Bath will not need planning permission and will be covered by permitted development rights (see below). When planning is required, however, the roof will need to fit in with the rest of the street. We will be able to advise you if you need planning permission of not and always work with you to make sure you have all the knowledge and advice you will need before you make any commitments.
What is Permitted Development?
Most loft conversions in Bristol and Bath will be classed as permitted development. This means you will not need to apply for planning permission, subject to the following limits and conditions:
· A volume allowance of 40 cubic metres additional roof space for terraced houses
· A volume allowance of 50 cubic metres additional roof space for detached and semi-detached houses
· No extension beyond the plane of the existing roof slope of the principal elevation that fronts the highway
· No extension to be higher than the highest part of the roof
· Materials to be similar in appearance to the existing house
· No verandas, balconies or raised platforms.