DESIGN DESIGN MASTERCLASS: Converting Loft Spaces GREAT IDEAS Experienced renovator and property developer Michael Holmes offers innovative design tips and practical advice sing the roof space to provide additional accommodation makes good sense. On a new dwelling it will maximise use of the built volume and bring down Uthe average cost per square metre. In an existing home, converting the loft is often the most cost-effective way to add space. There are two main options when it comes to design: to commission an architectural designer to produce drawings which can then be put out to builders on a competitive tender basis, or to hand the whole project over to a design and build contractor offering a one-stop service. Both will deal with planning permission, if required, and Building Regulations approval. Think 1 Ahead Designing a roof with future conversion in mind will allow for the expansion of living space should demand arise. Specifying either a cut roof or attic trusses instead of ‘fink’ trusses will add £1,500-2,000 to the average build cost but hugely simplify the conversion process. In addition, including a This self-contained loft apartment, designed plumbing and heating manifold in the roof by Brooke Fieldhouse Associates (01723 space, siting soil vent (SVP) pipes where they 871388), was created within a 1970s might be needed, and allowing space on bungalow, so the elderly owner’s adult son the consumer unit for power, lighting and could move back home to provide support. other circuits, will bring down the cost of The distinctive curved ceiling has been achieved with tongue-and-groove boards. a conversion. Finally, opt for a ‘warm roof’ Planning permission was not required as design and consider the addition of a full rooflights were inserted instead of dormers staircase. t homebuilding.co.uk | HOMEBUILDING & RENOVATING 75 LOFT CONVERSIONS | DESIGN Add Glazing SOUnd- 6 PROOF IT 2 to Gable Walls ACOUSTIC SEPARATION IS CRITICAL COMPLEMENT ROOFLIGHTS WITH A GLAZED GABLE TO MAXIMISE LIGHT There is a minimum soundproofing requirement, but this is inadequate where The opportunity to introduce windows This Nottingham loft conversion scheme the use of the attic room is likely to be noisy, in gable walls is often overlooked when by NH Architecture (01246 860547) added such as a playroom. If the floor is to have designing a loft conversion, yet it is a great a new master bedroom with en suite. a hard surface, such as a wooden floor, an way to introduce light. As with any window Much of the gable wall has been glazed and acoustic floor is essential. the cill must be 800mm above floor level. opens out, with a Juliet balcony offering Sound can travel between attic rooms and A gable window can be expanded so protection. the floor below by two means: airborne and that the whole triangular impact transfer. The first can be reduced gable wall is glazed, with a by making sure the structure is airtight, structural frame of timber taping insulation materials together, and and steel reinforcement where using sealant around the floor edges, etc. necessary. This can really add The voids between the floor joists can be wow factor to a loft room. before filled with high-density acoustic insulation, Glazing a gable wall is JULIET although this cannot be used around unlikely to be an issue on recessed spotlights. Using high-density fibre- a forward or rear-facing BALCONY reinforced plasterboard (e.g. Fermacell) can gable and may be classed Where it is not possible to add a roof terrace also reduce sound transfer. as Permitted Development or balcony that you can step out onto, the Impact transfer can be reduced by using (PD). New windows in a side solution is to add a balustrade just beyond the caulking to separate the structural floor joists doors (which are designed to open inwards). elevation will always need from the wooden floorboards and ensuring On a traditional building this is often in black- planning permission unless painted wrought there are no fixings – screws or nails – they are obscure-glazed with iron, but on a more contemporary between the flooring and the joists. any opening part at least 1.7m building a glass balustrade is above floor level. discreet and simple. This luxurious smart loft conversion is kitted out with a ) 5 Control4 Smart home system, The Ultimate AGE P Go Hip to enabling control of the ceiling INSTALL A Space-SAVING speakers, blinds, CCTV and Master Suite REVIOUS front door entry. The en suite P 7 Gable features two waterproof CREATE A PERSONAL HAVEN ON THE TOP FLOOR 3 4 STAIRCASE 26-inch HD televisions, ceiling Where the roof of a property is hipped, speakers and mood lighting e.g. sloping on all four sides (three on a INTRODUCE WINDERS AND KITES TO SAVE SPACE, OR USE SPIRAL STAIRS Away from activity in the rest of the house, the attic level can be semi-detached house), there may not be the perfect place to create a master bedroom suite. “I want to be ); Jeremy Phillips ( able to stay up there and relax, reflect and clear my mind for days sufficient roof volume with full headroom to The ideal position for the staircase in a two storey house make conversion viable. However, the roof Slimline stairs on LEFT without anyone bothering me,” were the instructions given by a a loft conversion is directly above the staircase below, running in the same can often be altered from a hip to gable on company director who works long hours to London-based design by Econoloft direction. Where there is insufficient headroom – minimum one or both sides, forming a gable pitched and build specialist Ashville Inc. (econoloft.co.uk) 1.9m at the centre and 1.8m at the string – a carefully Ashville Inc interpreted the brief by creating a space in which roof with headroom along the full length of ); Econoloft ( positioned dormer window or rooflight can make all the their client could rest, relax, work and entertain. A new master suite the roof. RIGHT difference. However, where this is not possible or practical, A hip to gable conversion may not was created by remodelling the roof space, doubling the floor area require planning permission providing the most space-efficient staircase configuration should be and increasing the headroom. As well as the bedroom area, there the design complies with the criteria for found. is a living space, work area, walk-in wardrobes and a beautiful en The maximum pitch under Building Regulations is 42° suite bathroom. Permitted Development (PD). This allows ); Ashville Inc ( 3 3 Features include underfloor heating beneath the wooden and although there is no minimum width for a staircase, LEFT an increase of 50m to the house (40m on P flooring, together with air conditioning to give total climate a terraced house), providing no part of the less than 600mm is unlikely to prove practical. Landings to TO roof is higher than the original. change direction take up space, but these can be avoided control. The bed is designed to look as if it floats by concealing the It is always worth checking with the local by using winders and kites (triangular treads) so that stairs legs out of view, and is underlit by subtle LED lighting. The multi- circuit lighting scheme is controlled on a Control4 Smart home authority as to whether or not planning can turn at the same time as rising; a spiral staircase is made permission is required. It may be possible to system, which also controls other areas of the home via 7-inch up entirely of winders. For a single-room loft conversion touch-screen wall panel displays. undertake work using PD rights that would the Building Regulations will accept a space-saver staircase, : NH Architecture ( HY Designed with all of the luxuries of a spa, the bathroom features not comply with local planning policy were which has alternating treads. P permission required. a steam room, Jacuzzi bath and hi-tech toilet. HOTOGRA t P 76 HOMEBUILDING & RENOVATING | homebuilding.co.uk homebuilding.co.uk | HOMEBUILDING & RENOVATING 77 LOFT CONVERSIONS | DESIGN TYPES OF CONVERSION Install Feature 10 Rooflights… MAXIMISE GLAZING TO GET THE MOST OUT OF YOUR LOFT SPACE Rooflight Conversion The standard solutions for bringing light into Vision (BELOW), is a good option for a flat roof, an attic room are the rooflight and the dormer especially above a stair landing. Rooflights can window, but it’s really worth considering feature be fixed or hinged for access to the flat roof. windows, which can bring in more light and When closed, no part of the frame is visible, create a sense of space, as well making the most except on very large rooflights which are made of any views. from two or more units supported by a steel A bank of rooflights arranged together, mullion, although even this can be replaced by a typically in a symmetrical pattern, look structural glass beam. Dormer Conversion impressive and be achieved using both conventional and conservation rooflights. Other options include ridgelights – a bank of Walk-on rooflights from glazing running along one or both sides of the Glazing Vision (glazing- ridge – and glazed roof lanterns. vision.co.uk) Where the loft has a flat roof there are many options for introducing light, including domes and pyramids, or roof lanterns with arched, gabled or hip gabled profile. The frameless flat rooflight, by Glazing Mansard Conversion A bank of large Velux rooflights create Or Be More an impressive feature in this loft Hip-to-Gable Conversion conversion, opening outwards to form Juliet balconies (velux.co.uk) 11 Conservative ) ON PERIOD HOMES AND BARN CONVERSIONS, A DISCREET OPTION MAY BE BEST RIGHT The conservation rooflight is a modern sections to ensure that each pane is always ); Lumen ( Bring in reproduction of Victorian cast iron single- taller than it is wide.