What are the types of loft conversion and which is right for me?
There are five types of loft conversion, but one will suit your
needs better than the rest depending on your home and your requirements.
Rear dormer loft conversion
A rear dormer loft conversion essentially involves "squaring
off" the back of your roof slope. Where the roof currently slopes
down from the top (the ridge) to the rear eaves guttering we'll build a
dormer, creating a flat roof to the rear of the house. This gives you
much more space, with extra floor area and greater height.
The dormer conversion is possible on most terraced and semi-detached
properties, and is the best use of new space. It is also, usually,
available without planning permission.
Mansard loft conversion
The mansard conversion is slightly different to the
dormer conversion because instead of adding to the
existing roof space we take off the rear of the roof
and rebuild it altogether. A mansard conversion also
has a flat roof but the rear face of it slopes back
by about 70°.
The rear windows are then built in small dormer within
the mansard. Because of the sloping wall you will
end up with the same floor space as with a dormer
conversion but slightly less standing space at the
back of your loft conversion. This type of loft conversion
is usually requested by the council if you have had
to apply for planning permission.
A mansard conversion would also be suitable if you currently
have a flat roof/London roof/Butterfly roof. In this
instance we would add an extra level to your property
by building a mansard running from the front to the
back of the house.
Hip to gable conversion
Gable
Hip
The hip to gable loft conversion is suitable if you currently have
a "hipped" roof to your property. A hipped roof is one where,
if you stand and look at your property from the other side of the street,
your ridge (the high point of the roof) slopes down on one side. We
convert it to a gable-ended roof, which means we rebuild the roof to
give you full height for the full width of the property. A dormer would
then be built on the rear roof slope giving you a huge amount of living
space in the loft.
Side and rear dormer extension
Hip to gable conversions are often not allowed if you require
planning permission.
If this is the case a small dormer can often
be built on the side, sitting comfortably within your
existing roof space but still giving you some extra height
in your loft.
Velux conversion
A Velux conversion is suitable for houses which are
not allowed any other extensions on their roofslope.
This would usually be because a property is in a conservation
area, is a listed building or has a particular building
restriction. No dormers, mansards or extensions are
built on the roof and the loft conversion is simply
built within the existing roof space, using Velux windows
built into the existing roof line.
Further information
For further information on the different types of loft
conversion or for any other query, please don't hesitate
to call us on 0844
815 9334 (Lo-call) or email enquiries@purelofts.co.uk.
