The Different Types Of Loft Conversion

Statistics tell us that a loft conversion can provide a wide range of benefits, including a potential 21% increase in value. It also provides extra functional space for a bedroom, creative studio, or if you’re one of the 50% of people in the UK doing at least some work from home, a loft conversion makes a beautiful home office space. 

If you’re at the beginning of your loft conversion journey, you probably feel a little bit confused about your options. After all, there are multiple loft conversion types out there, some of which aren’t appropriate for every home. Certain types can also be more expensive, create more or less space, and specific conversion types might even change the way your home looks externally in a way that impacts its aesthetics more than you might like. 

Phew, there’s so much to think about, isn’t there? 

The good news is that we have a really simple and jargon-free rundown of loft conversion types for you to take a look at, so that you can get one step closer to this transformative home renovation process: 

Different Types Of Loft Conversion

Dormer

A dormer conversion is a loft conversion that juts out from the sloping roof you already have on your home. They can be placed in different parts of the roof, but the most common and popular type is a rear dormer. This is because they tend to be quite cost-effective, affordable, and the majority of property types can have a dormer extension too. 

Hip-To-Gable

A hip-to-gable conversion is only suitable for a semi-detached or a detached house because it is completed on the side of the home.

It is added by extending the highest point of the roof hip on one side to create something called a gable wall. A gable wall is an area of the wall found at the end of a roof in the middle of the pitches. Essentially, it is the triangular ‘middle’ section you see if you look at the end of the roof, made by the two slants and then the ‘ceiling’ of the house. 

You can also have a hip-to-gable on both sides if you have a detached property with sloping roofs on both sides. This is called a double hip-to-gable and creates a lot of extra space in a conversion. 

Roof light

This is the cheapest type of loft conversion because it often only requires that the floor is reinforced, stairs are added and some rooflights are installed. It also requires plumbing, insulation and electrics to be considered fully usable. 

Mansard

A mansard loft conversion goes all the way along a roof, completely changing the roof slope so that it extends out. The sides of the roof are raised so that there is a lot more headroom, and the entire length of the loft space becomes a usable room. 

This kind of conversion costs the most to complete compared to other loft conversion types, but it also offers the biggest transformation when it comes to the space it creates. 

Considerations

It is important to keep a few important considerations in mind when you’re thinking about different loft conversion types and what’s right for you. To help you further on your journey to the perfect renovation, consider the following before making your choice: 

Choose The Right Building Company

It is so important to choose a loft conversion company with plenty of experience in this type of renovation. Ideally, they can manage the design and build, maintaining excellent communication with you throughout. 

Initially, though, when you first get in touch and speak with them, expect complete transparency and their happiness answering any questions you may have. A good dynamic between you and the company you choose is essential if you want to feel comfortable with the price, process and results. 

Become Mindful Of The Legalities

There are lots of legalities to keep in mind when you have a loft conversion added to your property. Because most residences have walls separating them from their neighborhood, hiring party wall surveyors in London is extremely frequent. 

This means that rather than just having a chat and verbal agreement with the neighbour that the work you are having done will not cause damage to your neighbours property, this paperwork makes the agreement between you legal.

Another good example is planning permission, which some houses require for a conversion and some houses don’t. It can depend on the kind of loft conversion you require or on the kind of home you currently have as to whether or not you need to make an application for the work. 

The most important thing is to ensure that you do have planning permission if you need it because the consequences of an illegal conversion could be disastrous. 

Ideally, you will choose a loft conversion company who are up to date with all the latest laws relating to this kind of building work. That way, you can feel sure that you’ll do everything the right way when it comes to the latest loft conversion legislation and guidance. 

Official ‘Extra-Room’ Rules

A loft conversion has to include extra changes for it to be officially listed as an extra room. If you want to resell a property with more bedrooms as a result of the conversion, these official changes have to be made, so it’s important to be aware of them. 

As we mentioned above, if you work with the right conversion company you can discuss your needs with them to make sure that you get the results you want, including an extra room listing if that is something you’re aiming for. 

The Next Step Towards A Beautiful Loft Conversion

Loft conversions are a fantastic way to get more from your house, helping you to add value for resale, or boost functionality in a home that has everything right but the space it offers. 

Whichever type of loft extension takes your fancy, the most important thing to do is choose the best loft conversion company available to you. With their expertise they can ensure the entire process – from design to build finish – runs smoothly, legally and leaves you with a phenomenal loft conversion that is everything you dreamed of and more.