Is my loft suitable for a conversion? [ Infographic ]

Converting your loft can be a fantastic way to add extra space to your home as well as increase its value. However, although most lofts can be converted, some can’t due to reasons such as the roof space not being high enough or the property is situated in a conservation area. If you’re wondering “Is my loft suitable for a conversion?”, keep reading.

Is your roof space high enough?

When establishing if your loft is suitable for conversion, the first thing to do is measure the height of the roof space. The available head height over the staircase and landing is one of the main deciding factors when it comes to working out if you can convert your loft. There needs to be a minimum of 2.2m between the floor joists and ridge timber. This is to ensure that there’s sufficient headroom (at least 2m) once the new beams and floors have been installed. 

You can easily measure the height of the roof space yourself. Run a tape measure from the loft’s ceiling to the floor. You should do this at the tallest section of the room. If it measures 2.2m or more, the loft should be high enough to convert. Older houses such as those built in the Victorian era tend to lower and therefore have insufficient head height. This means they’re often unsuitable for loft conversions. There are other considerations to make with older properties too. Including the presence of obstacles like chimney stacks and water tanks.   

What to do if there’s insufficient headroom

If there’s insufficient headroom in your loft, converting it can prove tricky. However, there are some possible solutions. Firstly, you could apply for planning permission to raise the height of the roof. Keep in mind that this may not be granted. Particularly in terraced and semi-detached houses. Secondly, you could have an experienced designer come up with a loft conversion design that minimises its visual impact. This may make it more acceptable to the planners. A third option is to borrow some headroom from a room directly below the loft space. This allows you to retain the existing roof profile.

Is there adequate floor space?

You’ll need to consider floor space when working out if your loft is suitable for conversion. Is the floor area big enough to turn it into a usable room? Although just a guideline, the internal walls of the loft should measure at least 7.5m from the front to the back and 5.5m from side to side. Of course, this is only the ideal space and smaller lofts can certainly be worked with. 

Can the loft stairs be accommodated? 

When considering if your loft is suitable for a conversion, you’ll need to work out if the stairs can fit into the confines of your home. You may find out that you’ll need to sacrifice a bedroom or other room to accommodate the staircase, in which case it may not be worthwhile proceeding. 

Ergonomically, it makes the most sense to install the loft stairs above the current flight of stairs. To help maximise the space in the loft room, try to ensure they surface at the perimeter of the space. If this location clashes with the slope of the roof, you might consider building a new dormer above it to achieve the required headroom. You could move the stairs to a central position. However, this can impact the layout of the room so may not be preferable.

What type of loft conversion do you want?

For a loft conversion to be considered a Permitted Development and therefore bypass the need for planning permission, it needs to be built in such a way that it does not drastically alter the appearance of the property from the street. This means that you need to seriously consider what type of loft conversion you want. A dormer loft conversion that extends vertically from your existing roof slope is unlikely to require planning permission. 

However, those with prominent extensions, including hip-to-gable conversions or those that have dormers added to the front or the side elevations, are likely to need it. You’re also likely to need planning consent for a loft conversion if your property is listed, located in a Conservation Area, or the Permitted Development Rights have been removed by the local council. 

Loft conversions in Leeds 

You should now know the answer to the question “Is my loft suitable for a conversion?”. If it is, it’s time to start looking for a reputable company to carry out your loft conversion. At AKB Lofts, we specialise in loft conversions in Leeds, with our team having carried out hundreds of them over the years. Whatever type of loft conversion you’re seeking, we can assist. We use the very best methods and materials in our work, allowing us to achieve exceptional results every time. We can help turn your vision for your loft conversion into reality. 

Assisting with planning permission

Although most loft conversions don’t need planning permission due to being considered Permitted Developments, sometimes it is required. If you find that you do need to obtain planning permission to convert your loft, we can assist you with this. We can provide expert guidance and support with the process, helping to improve your chances of getting consent to build your dream loft conversion. 

Contact us 

If you’re wondering “Is my loft suitable for a conversion?”, don’t hesitate to speak to our team. We can assess your loft space and determine if it can be converted. Call us on 0113 436 0357, or, alternatively, send us a message via the website and we’ll get back to you as quickly as we can.