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Dormer loft conversions everything you need to know

Updated: Aug 19

In the United Kingdom it is no secret that the homes are in need of extra space, especially in high demand city areas. But with high uncertainty in property market, new developments being built much smaller and high stamp duty finding extra room can be a massive challenge.


Dormer loft conversions everything you need to know
Dormer loft conversions everything you need to know

This is why it is a no surprise why families choose to stay and extend into their attics and create beautiful and spacious lofts conversions. Transforming the dead space in the attic makes a lot of sense and it is ideal solution to a lot of home owners.


Dormer loft conversion
Dormer loft conversion

The most popular and most talked about type of loft is "Dormer Loft Conversion". So what is a dormer loft conversion? is it right for your home?


In the video below find out how to convert a loft London, UK project completed by LCCL Construction design and build services.



Please like, share and subscribe to LCCL Construction YouTube Channel https://youtube.com/@lcclconstruction


What is a dormer loft conversion?


A Dormer loft conversion is when a box shaped structure is added onto a pitched roof, creating walls that sit at a 90 degree angle to the floor. This helps to expand not only your head-space, but floor space too.


Dormer Loft Conversion
Dormer Loft Conversion

Most Popular loft conversions


The most popular loft conversions in London and Hertfordshire areas consists of the following types of loft conversions:


Dormer loft: typical loft conversion on terraced house in London.


Hip to gable loft: most comon loft conversion on semi detatched houses in London.


L shaped loft: Terraced houses and Semi detatched house that have an outrigger would usually choose this option.


Mansard loft: Terraced houses that have butterfly roof would go for this option most common project in Central London.


Loft conversion and rear house extension: Typical total renovation project in London. Offering amazing amount of space loft conversion, total renovation and rear house extension.


Most popular house extensions


As loft conversions are very popular choices when it comes to house renovations for extra space and room, it also should be considered that rear extensions might be more suitanable when doing the loft conversions project in same time.


Most popular house extensions in London and Hertfrodshire areas:


Rear house extension: offering great amount of space on terraced, semi and detatched houses.


Kitchen extension: London number one and most popular solution to additional space.


Ground floor house extension: rear of the proprty extenended usually between 3 to 6 meters deep and width of the house.


Side return house extension: London most popular house extension.


Wraparound house extension: most desired house extension in London and Hertfrodshire areas


Loft conversion and rear house extension: Typical total renovation project in London. Offering amazing amount of space loft conversion, total renovation and rear house extension.


Types of dormer loft conversions in more detail


You have different ranges and styles of the dormer loft conversion, they are follows:


Flat roof dormer: this is a dormer with a flat roof on top of it


Shed dormer: a flat roof that slopes down


Dog house dormer: a dormer with a roof that has two pitched sides


L shaped dormer: this dormer has two parts that from L shape


Hipped roof dormer: similar to dog house dormer but with 3 sides instead of 2


Do dormer loft conversions require planning permission?


The major benefits of adding a dormer loft conversion is that they fall under permitted development rights. These rights do allow you to extend your house without the need of planning permission as long strict planning permission guidelines are followed. We do however recommend lawfulness certificates are obtained from planning meaning that you will hold an official document that your development is legal.


For example, you will not qualify for permitted development if:


  • The height of your dormer exceeds that of the original roof.

  • You live in a listed building or conservation area.

  • Bats live inside your loft. As a protected species, you need a special license to disturb their home.

  • Your neighbours are affected by your dormer through overlooking or overshadowing.

  • Your dormer exceeds 40 meters on a terrace house, or 50 meters on a semi-detached house or detached house.

  • Your dormer features a balcony - but Juliet balconies are fine.

  • The materials used by your dormer are out of character with the rest of your house.


If your project does falls within the permitted development, it should be made sure that the application to planning is made for Lawful Development Certificate. This will eliminate any legal issues and also helps on future sales of the house.


Is my house suitable for a Dormer loft conversion?


In general, any house that has a pitched roof and enough head room can add dormer loft conversion. Houses that could have dormer loft conversions are terraced houses, end of terraced house, semi detached houses, detached houses, 1920s/1930s houses, Victorian or Edwardian houses, new build houses and bungalows.


Dormer loft conversions Building Regulations


Building regulations are the vital part of all loft conversions. All the loft conversions must be compliant with building regulation standards and every step of the construction of the loft conversion must be checked by Local Authority Building Control and signed off.


To be compliant with building regulations you will need to pass on each one of these categories:


  • Headroom

  • Insulation

  • Fire Safety

  • Electrical

  • Stairs and Stairs Design

  • Sound Proofing

  • Structural


these are just a few...


What is the cost of the loft conversion and house extension?

You can use our "instant cost calculator" and find out the cost in seconds! for both design and build, architecture services or just construction services depend what stage you are in and what you have so far completed.


We have experience of over 17 years in design and construction of loft conversions and home extensions in London and Hertfordshire areas and have worked out a unique calculation formula that you can find out to what your house extension and loft conversion will cost in seconds.


How can Lccl Construction be of help?


Do you require a loft conversion and house extension to add extra space?

Then look no further get in touch with us for a detailed free no obligation quote. We can accommodate a very quick turnaround. Our loft conversions and house extensions come with 10 year guarantee and 12 month workmanship guarantee.


Use our instant cost calculator for a quote about your project whether construction only or design and build.


Use our Free consultation call booking system to schedule a call at the time and date that suits you best.

Telephone: 020 8037 7332

Email: info@lcclconstruction.co.uk


More related types of loft conversions and everything you need to know about them:


Dormer loft conversion


Dormer Loft Conversion
Dormer loft conversion


The most popular and most talked about type of loft is "Dormer Loft Conversion". So what is a dormer loft conversion? is it right for your home?





Hip to gable loft conversion


Hip to gable loft conversion
Hip to gable loft conversion

A Hip to Gable loft conversion is very popular on semi-detached & detached properties with sloping roofs, which is essentially a roof with a sloping side in addition to the slopes at the front and back.




Mansard loft conversion


Mansard Loft Conversion
Mansard Loft Conversion

A mansard loft conversion, named after the 17th-century French Architect Francois Mansard, is situated to the rear of the property. This type of conversion has a flat roof, with the back wall sloping inwards at an angle of 72 degrees.






L shaped loft conversion


L Shaped Loft Conversion
L Shaped Loft Conversion

An L shaped loft conversion is absolutely ideal for period properties with a back addition as you can also extend up the top of the back addition to get loads more space.



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