Have you ever considered extending the available space in your home by creating a loft conversion? It may seem daunting, but with the right experts, you could soon be using that space on top of your house for a bedroom, office or studio.
A loft conversion will not only enhance your quality of life but could also increase the market value of your property. House Beautiful magazine has helpful tips for converting your loft into more living space.
H & OB Building in Witney, Oxfordshire, has many years of experience giving our clients the extra living space they need without moving. We are experts in the planning, building regulations, design and building of loft conversion projects, large and small.
Ask the Experts in Oxfordshire
Once you’ve decided to go ahead with a loft conversion, consulting expert professionals is vital. H & OB Building in West Oxfordshire is a highly experienced and customer-focused construction business, and we have completed many loft conversions on detached, semi-detached and terraced homes.
We are very familiar with the aspirations and concerns of property owners undertaking or contemplating such a project. There are several different types of loft conversions to consider. H & OB Building is always happy to review your proposed site and advise you on your best options.
Here’s some helpful information about the different kinds of loft conversions:
Dormer Loft Conversions
A dormer loft conversion extends an existing pitched roof, building outwards to create head height and floor space. This style of loft conversion can create a whole extra floor, adding significant value. The dormer has a window to let the light into the new living area.
Most dormer extensions are box-shaped and have what is known as a “flat roof,” although they have a minimum ratio of 1:40 fall to the side. This slight angle lets rainwater run off. The only exceptions would be the pitched roof and shed dormer. More about these further on in this article.
You would typically find dormer loft conversions within your permitted development rights, allowing you to expand without planning permission. We will always check this for you before undertaking any work. We will also ensure that any work complies with building regulations.
Here are the types of dormer loft conversions:
Rear Dormer
A rear dormer is an extension to the rear of the building. It is box-shaped with vertical sides.
Your chosen contractor can build a rear dormer loft conversion to the entire building length or step it in. The step-in option is often preferable to reduce disturbance to neighbours, so we suggest this in a more urban, built-up setting.
Side Dormer
A side dormer loft conversion is the same box shape as a rear dormer but larger. It extends to the ridge (top) of the roof and continues all along the length, making one side of the pitched roof into a box shape with vertical sides. A detached house may have the option of a double-side dormer – expanding the whole top into a flat roof.
Hip-to-gable Dormer
The hip is where the wall of the house meets the roof. With a hip-to-gable dormer, the side of the building becomes a gable end, and the roof extends out to meet that gable end. A hip-to-gable dormer loft conversion is often an excellent option for semi-detached properties.
L-shaped Dormer
You may have seen L-shaped dormer loft extensions in your neighbourhood. They often appear on Victorian and Edwardian properties in the Oxfordshire area.
They are similar to the rear dormer style – a box extending from the pitched roof to increase the head height and floor space. However, an L-shaped dormer will continue around a 90-degree angle to expand the rest of the building. Usually, the L-shape dormer loft extension follows the inside of the L-shape roof.
Shed Dormer
A shed dormer has a sloped roof, which can be more in keeping with the pitched roof of an existing building. The shed dormer loft conversion increases head height, making it perfect for taller roofs.
Pitched Dormer
When you face it head-on, a pitched dormer juts out of the main roof and is triangular-shaped. It has a miniature pitched roof sloping to either side of the window.
Pitched dormer loft conversions are aesthetically pleasing from the outside. They often create extra headroom at the top of loft stairs.
Dog-House Dormer
The dog-house dormer loft conversion consists of two pitched dormers joined by a rear dormer with a flat roof. It looks like an old-fashioned dog kennel, hence the name!
A dog-house dormer gives the outside of a building more visual interest and impact and extra headroom.
Velux Loft Conversion
A Velux loft conversion is often the most simple (and cheapest) way to convert a loft into a new room – by simply adding Velux roof lights to the existing roof!
Velux loft conversions work very well in a bungalow or a detached house with plenty of existing head height with the roof space.
Truss Loft Conversion
A truss loft is an attic space that has W-shaped rafters. Properties built after 1960 often feature this type of loft.
The truss frame takes up considerable space within the loft area. The rafters support the roof and the loft’s floor. Therefore, a truss loft conversion project can be a little more complicated, but it is still absolutely worth doing to expand the size of your house.
Our contractors will replace the W-shaped rafters with A-shaped rafters or horizontal beams, depending on what you visualise as the outcome of your exciting loft conversion.
Other Aspects to Consider for Your Loft Conversion
So, that’s a summary of the different types of loft conversions that we can undertake for you, depending on the layout and dimensions of your home. However, there are other elements to consider, which we will always discuss with you when planning the job:
Loft Conversion Staircase
Whichever loft conversion style you choose, you will need a loft staircase to access your new space. The staircase is one of the most essential features of a loft conversion. There are strict rules and regulations to adhere to. A loft ladder is not an option, as people must be able to leave the area safely.
Loft conversion staircases must have enough headroom clearance to comply with regulations.
There is also a minimum height for each step. The staircase can’t be too steep because it makes access dangerous, and there may be a need for a landing, depending on how long the staircase is.
A pre-fabricated staircase is cheaper than a bespoke staircase made and installed by a professional joiner – but some loft conversions will require the bespoke option to comply with regulations. H&OB Building is always happy to review your loft area and discuss your requirements.
Tiles and Slates on a Loft Conversion
H&OB Building will always match the original roof tiles as precisely as possible. We source and supply them, so the cost implication is included in the loft conversion works.
The loft conversion experts at H & OB Building have years of experience conducting loft conversions in Oxfordshire. We are familiar with all the local roof tiles. Once a loft conversion has weathered a little, the roof tiles match the original building for a cohesive effect.
Gutters and Downpipes
We’ll always ensure that all gutters and downpipes match the existing pipework on the building.
Fascias and Soffits
To blend with the existing property, we always strive to match the size of the fascias and soffits with the original house.
Let’s Talk Loft Conversions
That briefly introduces the exciting options when you proceed with a loft conversion with H & OB Building. We are a friendly, experienced and enthusiastic team of construction professionals based in Oxfordshire.
If you are interested in having a loft conversion or extension or have any queries about any other construction works you’re considering at your property, please contact us today. We look forward to exploring your options and helping you expand your enjoyment of your home and increase its value.