Rear dormer window to a loft conversion in Sheffield

Rear Dormer Loft Conversion

A dormer is an extension to the existing roof, allowing for additional floor space and headroom within the loft conversion. Dormers protrude from the roof slope, normally at the rear or the side of the property and can be built in a variety of styles. Internally, a dormer will have a horizontal ceiling and vertical walls compared to the normal diagonal sides of a conversion. In lofts that have limited space or headroom a dormer will provide additional space that can make a conversion feasible.

Flat roof dormers tend to give the maximum amount of additional internal space although they do not look as attractive from outside the property. Gable fronted and hipped roof dormers look much more attractive but they often do not give as much internal space and will cost more to build due the extra complexity.

Hip to gable end loft conversion in sheffield

Hip to gable end loft conversion

A hip to gable conversion involves making fairly major changes to the roof. The gable wall is built up to the ridge line and a new section of roof is built to fill in the gap. As a general rule, houses with hip roofs tend to not have enough internal volume for a conversion to be practical so a hip to gable conversion is the best solution.

A new gable wall will be built either in masonry or studwork. There are several options for the finishing of the masonry gable wall, which include brickwork, block work with render or tiled. If the gable wall is built from studwork they are normally finished in render or tiled. For most people the preference of for the new gable wall to match the existing walls as much as possible. As a hip to gable conversion changes the outline of the roof planning permission may be required. You will need to determine if the conversion falls within your permitted development allowance. Once the roof has been extended the conversion is normally completed with either velux rooflights or a dormer.

fitting of a velux window

Velux Window Loft Conversions

Velux and rooflight conversions are the same, Velux are the leading manufacturer of roof windows and with over 60 years experience producing windows the name Velux has become synonymous with this type of conversion. This type of conversion is generally very cost effective and does not normally need planning permission.

Velux windows are installed to fit flush with the line of the roof and leave the existing roof structure untouched. As they do not require extensive alterations to the roof this option helps keep the cost of the conversion down. As the loft is not extended beyond the original roof line planning permission is not normally required (you should still check with your local planning department before proceeding with any works)

A velux type loft conversion works very well for lofts where there is a good amount of headroom or if there are constraints on planning, for example if you live in a conservation area. If headroom is going to be limited then a dormer conversion may be a better option. Velux rooflights can be fitted quickly and easily meaning there is minimal disruption or delays due to bad weather.

As Velux windows are installed at the angle of the roof rather than vertically like a normal window they can let in a surprising amount of light. While this is great during the day and will give you a light and airy room it can become a problem at night or in the summer. Window blinds are available from various sources tailor made for Velux windows that perfectly fit into the window frame. You can even get blinds that have a thermal silver backing, great for retaining heat in the winter and keeping it out in the summer.

Re-Style Loft Conversions will transform your loft from a dark, dusty storage area into a versatile living space.

Thinking of extending your home? Then look upwards. That is what Martin and Penny did last August when they bought their 1920s detached home in Sheffield. Martin and Penny wanted to create two new bedrooms in the loft for their son and daughter who are both away at university.

The conversion has turned their four bedroomed/one-bathroom home into a five-bedroomed/two bathroom property.

“We loved the place when we first came to look around,” says Penny, a science lecturer at Sheffield College, “but felt it did not quite have enough space. We saw potential in extending the loft.”

She and Martin contacted a number of firms to quote for the work, and were most impressed by Re-Style Loft Conversions, whose director Craig Wilkinson has 20 years’ experience converting Sheffield lofts into stunning living spaces.

“Craig was very professional and knowledgeable,” says Penny. “He talked us through all the work required, and the timescale.”

Re-Style offer a complete design service. Their in-house architect and structural engineer will work to your requirements, and deal with all the necessary planning permissions and building regulations. Re-Style’s fully qualified joiners, electricians, plumbers and plasterers will guarantee that your conversion is completed to a very high standard.

The first stage of Penny and Martin’s conversion was to carefully fit our innovative ReSteel system and new floor joists. The floor and roof spaces were then insulated and three Velux windows fitted and stud-partition walls were created to form two bedrooms and a bathroom. A bespoke, manufactured staircase was then installed, including new posts and balustrades that exactly matched the main staircase.

The loft conversion was finished on schedule – within budget – in under eight weeks. “The rooms and the new staircase look fantastic,” says Penny. “We liked that Craig is a very good communicator. He listened to us and did exactly what we wanted throughout the project, even when it meant changing things at the last minute.”

Loft conversion building regulations

Building regulations will always be required if the loft space is being converted into any usable form of accommodation or habitable room. These requirements are in place to ensure that the necessary construction criteria are met and that the all health and safety laws, amongst other things, have been satisfied. We apply and obtain building regulations on all our loft conversions and garage conversions, so you don’t have to.

loft insulation to building regulations

Loft conversions Chesterfield

Loft conversion planning permission

Planning permission is not usually required to convert a loft space into a livable space. Since October 2008 permitted development rights were extended which made it much easier to carry out a loft conversion.This means that in most cases, planing permission is not required. However we would always check with your local authority to establish whether planning permission is needed. Should you need planning permission we would deal with your planning application for you.

The conversion has transformed our home

“Re-style did everything. They were fantastic; very clean, tidy and polite. They even made Helen cups of tea. The conversion looks brilliant, and has transformed our home.”

Re-Style Loft Conversions don’t just work on the lofts of older homes.  They also transform modern properties, as they did for Dan and Helen, of Sheffield, who wanted to extend their three-bedroomed detached house.

Their family has since grown, hence the need for more space. Dan and Helen now have three children Moving to a bigger house was an option they rejected because they like where they live, so they opted for a loft conversion to transform their three-bedroomed home into a five bedroomed one. “We chose Re-Style because they were very professional and enthusiastic about the job. They explained everything very clearly, and quoted a reasonable price. We also visited one of their previous customers to see their work. We were impressed”

Re-Style offer a complete design service. Their in-house architect and structural engineer worked to the Reeders’ requirementsand designed a unique steel-beam structure that supported the roof and ceilings in the floor below. This meant the roof did not need replacing, which saved a great deal of expense. Besides the fitting of steel beams, new joists and floorboards, Restyle installed a new staircase and two dormer windows – one on the front of the property, and one on the back. Three Velux windows were also fitted.

Re-style erected wall partitions and did all the plastering, electrical and plumbing work. This included fitting a new combination boiler, and radiators. The project was completed in ten weeks. “Re-Style did everything apart from the decorating and tiling,” says Dan. “They were fantastic; very clean, tidy and polite. They even made Helen cups of tea. The conversion looks brilliant, and has transformed our home.”

Re-Style Loft Conversions deal with all necessary planning permissions and building regulations. The company’s qualified joiners, plasterers, electricians and plumbers ensure that every loft conversion is completed to the highest standards.