Loft conversions are an increasingly popular way of maximising the space in your home. By building up into the loft, you can create a whole new room. This could be a bedroom, office, gym, games room, or anything you like. Building a loft conversion, however, can become quite complex because you are working within the constraints of the building you already have. Which might leave you wondering if you should get an architect involved. You don't have to have an architect but in some situations, it can be a good idea.
Attics and lofts would have been originally created to house water tanks and as part of the roof structure. They weren't designed to be converted into an extra bedroom. So when you convert a loft, you will often need to work against the original design of the house.
Stairs and staircases are often the most challenging elements of a loft conversion project. There are strict building regulations about stairs and how they can be installed. A drop-down ladder is not sufficient for a loft conversion because of fire safety issues, so you will need a proper staircase.
And that staircase will need to:
As you can see, many of the regulations around stairs can be difficult to achieve if you are converting a loft into a tight space, such as a terraced house. This can lead to situations where to achieve the head height and angle regulations, the stairs will need to lead to a living room. This will then mean that you need to erect a partition wall to create a protected entranceway.
Not all lofts can be converted into a habitable space. For the loft conversion to go ahead in line with building regulations, the loft space will need to meet certain requirements.
These will include:
Loft spaces that haven't been converted are often used as storage areas for items that are used infrequently. For example, Christmas trees and decorations, sentimental items, home improvement tools, etc. Once your loft is converted, you will need to find somewhere else to store these items.
A loft conversion can be designed with this in mind, that incorporates storage. For example, in the eaves.
A loft conversion is a great opportunity to implement energy efficiency measures that could save on your energy bills and help you live a greener lifestyle. Some of these measures will be part of the building control regulations that you need to follow, but others can be included through choice.
New loft conversions will need to include sufficient insulation between and beneath rafters and will also need to continue the insulation between the wall and the roof.
The level of insulation provided is given a U-value, which is the rate of heat transfer through a structure divided by the temperature of the structure. A new loft conversion will need to have a U-value of 0.18 W/m2k or lower.
Check out: How To Insulate A Loft Conversion
The roof space is often the warmest spot in the house, especially if it has the specified insulation. You may need to implement measures to cool the space down so that it is more comfortable.
This could include air conditioning (although this will reduce your energy efficiency) or a greener option such as cross-ventilation.
Many people choose to include solar panels when they create their loft conversion. A loft conversion project is a good opportunity to install solar panels, compared to installing them on an existing roof, because it means that you can save money on construction costs (e.g. scaffolding). It also gives you greater control over the placement and alignment of the panels.
Discover: Can You Put Solar Panels On A Loft Conversion
Your loft space may house elements that could interfere with a loft extension or loft conversion. For example, a water tank or chimney breast can make a loft conversion challenging and will reduce the available floor space.
These elements would likely have been installed during the construction of the house so there will be no clear way of removing them intact (the loft hatch will be too small). Removal will take some planning and extra construction work.
The legal side of constructing a loft conversion shouldn't be ignored as it can be quite complex if you don't have experience in navigating it.
The majority of loft conversions will come under permitted development rights. This order allows you to make certain modifications to your property without needing to seek permission from your local planning authority.
Some types of loft conversion, however, will need planning permission. This includes:
Explore further: Do You Need Planning Permission For Loft Conversions
Regardless of whether your loft conversion needs planning permission, it will need to abide by building regulations from your local building control department.
These regulations are quite strict and cover a variety of elements, including:
For your loft conversion to receive a completion certificate, and officially be classed as an additional room, the construction will need to be signed off by a surveyor from building control.
If you are in a terraced, end-of-terrace, or semi-detached house then you will usually need to obtain a party wall agreement from your neighbour(s) before going ahead with your loft conversion.
A party wall is a wall that you share with your adjoining neighbour and any changes to it need to be done with their consent. Or with an official party wall agreement made by an independent party wall surveyor.
Learn more: Do I Need A Party Wall Agreement For Loft Conversion
This is a difficult question to answer because a lot does depend on your circumstances. Let's take a look at what an architect can do.
An architect is a person who designs, plans, and oversees the construction of buildings. The benefits of having a loft conversion architect on board are that they will take a broad view of the project, can plan it efficiently and clearly, and can navigate the complexities of the project for you.
Some examples of what an architect can help with are:
The main downside of having an architect involved is the price. An architect can cost 5% - 7% of the total loft conversion cost. In some cases, it can be more cost-effective to go a different route. And an architect isn't always needed, especially for simpler and smaller projects.
Some types of loft conversions are more complex than others. The more complex the project, the more beneficial it would be to have an expert on board.
Using a specialist loft conversion company like the Loft Crew can mean that you don't need an architect. A loft conversion company will have a design department that is in charge of designing the conversion to your specifications, taking into account the existing building.
A loft conversion company will also understand how to navigate the planning permission, building regulations, and party wall agreement processes.
Their team of contractors will take charge of the construction of the loft conversion and translate the design into reality. They will work with the structural engineers, plumbers, electricians, and other specialists to ensure that it is constructed properly.
A loft conversion company is usually a better option than a general builder. There is often specialist knowledge required to successfully complete a loft conversion and a company that works within that field and has the experience and training required will be better placed to complete it properly.
We are a specialist loft conversion company and we can ensure that your loft conversion project is properly planned and executed. We understand the process of loft conversions inside and out and will ensure that the conversion is built to your preferences, in line with all laws and regulations, and that works well in a practical sense within the existing building.
If you do choose to bring an architect on board to create your loft conversion plans and manage the project, we will work closely with them from start to finish to make sure that the plans and project are realised as they were designed. Having a team of experts is never a bad thing when you are creating a permanent addition to your home.
Hiring an architect is not a requirement if you want to construct a loft conversion. For more complicated projects, however, an architect can help ensure that the design is sound and that the work is planned and executed correctly. An architect can be an expensive option, however. And for smaller and more simple projects, this may not be cost-effective. In many cases, a loft conversion company can also play a similar role and will have specialist industry knowledge and experience.
