These standards must be adhered to when building a loft conversion and failure to meet them will result in your local building control office refusing permission for the work to be carried out.
The building regulations apply to all building work but, for loft conversions, they fall into five main categories:
Structural Stability
For anything other than light storage solutions you will need to install new ceiling joists and will more than likely have to double them up.
That new room in the loft is going to have to carry some serious weight and the loft conversion building regulations insist that joists and load-bearing walls are strong enough to support that extra weight, this will almost certainly mean that new steel beams will be required to support those new joists.
Fire Safety
It goes without saying that the loft conversion building regulations on this point are very strict and rightly so.
Loft floors and walls must be able to resist fire for thirty minutes and glazed door panels must be made of fire-resisting glass.
Escape from the loft in the event of fire must be addressed with each new room in the loft having an escape window that is at least 450mm x 450mm.
Mains operated smoke alarms, linked to others in the property, must also be installed.
Ventilation
New loft conversions need rapid and background ventilation. Rapid ventilation simply means a window which is equivalent to 1/20th of the floor area.
The new roof void needs to be ventilated to prevent condensation and you may also need to ventilate at the eaves level and ridge.
There must also be a minimum air space of 50mm between the roof covering and the insulation though this may not be necessary in older houses with no roofing felt.
Staircases
Ladder access is not acceptable for a loft conversion were the new room is an habitable one. Again the fire regulations apply and the staircase must be enclosed with fitted fire doors also necessary in most cases
Insulation
The loft conversion building regulations insist that your loft, including new internal walls, must be fully insulated.
Though they sound complicated any professional architect or builder will be able to guide you through the red-tape when you make your building regulations application.
If in any doubt contact the building control department of your local council.
There are two main types of conversions that tend to be the most popular. Dormer conversions are seen when you do not have quite enough space for headroom and to complete the conversion. Additional space must be made by construction of the dormer area, thus the name.
A rooflight or Velux conversion is usually seen when there is sufficient room available for the conversion. This is one of the most commonly seen and often the least expensive style of loft conversion.
Despite the seeming lack of loft conversion styles, this is far from the case. There are multiple design and modification differences that can be made to either basic loft conversion style. One of the best ways to get an idea of what you desire in your loft conversion is by seeing what other people have done for their loft conversions in different areas.
If you were to take a look around London you would find countless examples of conversions. A very popular style of loft conversion in the London area is the dormer style. Often, with terraced homes a slight variation on the dormer conversion is chosen to be employed, termed the Mansard loft conversion.
A simple glance through advertisements in Surrey reveal how sought after homes with a loft conversion are. While no one set style seems to rule the fashion, homes sporting lovely dormer style loft conversions and Velux style conversions can be found on every road. It's quite amazing how luxurious and elegant a conversion can become, featuring its own master suite with bathe.
The overall look and features of a conversion are almost endless. You are certain to find exactly the look and features of what your ideal loft conversion would have with your happiness guaranteed. Today, people around the UK are learning the wonders and joy of that added space with their loft conversion. You can now see a loft conversion in any upscale London area to some of the tinier country homes. So why should you suffer any longer with less room? Start today, and soon your conversion will be a living dream.
Both Craig Ellyard & Derek Both are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.
Craig Ellyard has sinced written about articles on various topics from Home Improvement, Build Online Business and Web Development. Craig Ellyard is a staff writer for and has written extensively on the rules and regulations surrounding loft conversi. Craig Ellyard's top article generates over 90500 views. to your Favourites.
Derek Both has sinced written about articles on various topics from Home Accessories, Customer Service and Family Travel. Econoloft is the leading UK . Converting your loft is one of the cheapest, easiest and efficient methods of renovating your house to increase the living. Derek Both's top article generates over 1500000 views. to your Favourites.