Is my house suitable for a loft conversion?

It’s a very common question asked by those who are considering expanding the size – and function – of their home; is my home suitable for a loft conversion?

The good news if you are considering such a project is that the majority of homes are indeed suitable for a loft conversion of some kind. However, if you want to be as sure as possible before you excitedly begin making plans for that new bedroom/playroom/home office/media room here is a basic guide to just how to do that:

Will Your Loft Measure Up?

Not all roofs are created the same, but here in the UK they can usually be divided into two different, basic types:

Modern Trussed Roof

Most homes built in the UK since 1965 boast a modern trussed roof. In these homes the trusses form a ‘W’ shape that is in the centre of your loft. For it to be suitable for conversion you’ll need it to measure at least 2.4 metres at the highest point.

Cut Rafter and Purlin Roof

This more traditional roof is usually found in older homes, those built before 1965. They are almost the complete opposite of a modern roof as their rafters for an ‘M’ shape in the middle of the space. You’ll need a clearance of 2.2 metres at the highest point for the most efficient conversions.

It should be noted that because of standardized building regulations almost all homes with a loft will be able to meet these minimum height requirements.

Will There Really Be Enough Space For a Loft Room?

There are two basic things that need to be taken into consideration to answer this question; the amount of floor space available and the pitch of your roof.

In terms of roof pitch the ideal is a pitch of 30 or more degrees, and obviously the higher the pitch the higher the central head height will be. A lower pitch is not necessarily a deal breaker though, as an experienced loft conversion specialist knows that there are a number of ways that this limitation can be successfully overcome.

In terms of floor space the ideal is that the internal walls measure 5.5 metres from one side to the other, and around 7 metres from front to back. However, again, there are design workarounds that can be utilized to make a smaller space work.  

‘Stuff’ In the Way

Some people worry that some of the things that might be in place in the loft already might be an impediment to a loft conversion. But they can usually literally be worked around.

Take a obtrusive chimney stack for example. It can’t actually be moved easily – as it is often central to the stability of the home – but there are a lot of ways it can be worked around, or even incorporated, into the design of any loft conversion.

Planning Permission and Building Regulations

One thing many people don’t realise is that in most cases the planning permissions required for a loft conversion are usually pretty minimal. There are some strict limitations you must follow, but when you work with a roof conversion specialist you have the advantage that these experienced professionals will take care of all of that.

In the end, even after going through these basic checks the best way to determine whether or not your loft is suitable for conversion is to invite in a loft conversion specialist to take a look – and a walkthrough of your loft with you. Most reputable companies will do that free of charge and without obligation. So here’s a last question; what are you waiting for? An improved home awaits!

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source https://www.abclofts.co.uk/is-my-house-suitable-for-a-loft-conversion/