Loft conversion in Selkirkshire

Loft conversions are a great way to add space and value to your house. They can be expensive and complicated, but careful planning and design will make the process of your loft conversion as smooth as it can be. There are various different aspects that may vary between loft conversions, so it is important to have a technical survey undertaken on your existing loft space to determine what type of conversion will be suitable. If other conversions have been done on similar properties in your area, check and see which kind of conversions have been done.

Loft conversions can be done in many homes, but your pre-existing loft needs to have at least 2.2-2.4m of ceiling height in order to undertake a conversion as some of this space will be lost to extra insulation or changes to the roof height. If you do not have the mandatory ceiling height, modifications can be made to the pre-existing roof or floor of the loft, but this will be costly. Also take into account the placement of the staircase, as you will need a appropriate location for a permanent staircase on the floor below the loft.

There are various types of loft conversion. Rooflight and dormer window loft conversions are the most simple. Rooflight conversions will simply require installing rooflights into the existing roof profile, while dormer windows are vertical windows with their own small roofs that are positioned in the current roof. Dormer windows add headroom in situations where it could be limited. In addition, there are the more expensive hip to gable and mansard style loft conversions, but these will substantially improve the size of the area.

Some loft conversions, particularly less complicated styles like rooflight or dormer conversions, will be covered by permitted development rights and consequently not require planning permission, as long as you do not intend on changing the size of the structure of the current roof. Hip to gable and mansard conversions tend to need planning permission. If you are in a conservation area you’ll need planning permission, and this will likely define the type of conversion that you can use, as it’ll need to be a design that suits the area. If any of the walls of the loft are terraced, you will need a Party Wall Agreement. Building regulations will apply to all areas of loft conversions.