Loft conversion talk.

[ianrauk]

You can, loads of people where I used to live replaced their existing truss with attic trusses. Former windows don't extend truss height but they do extend the headroom.

Well I take your word for it.

 

[Milzy]

Yes there’s a lot of trusses but that can be re arranged. We have an alloy pull down ladder and it’s boarded out in the middle. Maybe I should get a surveyor in and if it’s possible find a proper builder.

 

[Slick]

Well I take your word for it.

One of them was a mate who owns his own building firm and another was a neighbour. I could get before and after pictures of quite a few if I'm honest.

 

[pclay]

Is @Milzy wanting a full loft conversion i.e. so a bed can go in there, or just boarding out for starsge space?

 

[Lee_M]

I have two loft conversions (two properties).

One is a full conversion with dormer windows a full staircase and high quality interior.

The other, due to height restrictions is officially for storage, although it has full steel supports it still had to have a pull down ladder. The fact that there is a desk, heating, and furniture in it is just a happy coincidence

 

[MikeG]

Yes there’s a lot of trusses but that can be re arranged. We have an alloy pull down ladder and it’s boarded out in the middle. Maybe I should get a surveyor in and if it’s possible find a proper builder.

Stand up in the middle of your loft, at the apex of your roof. How far can you walk towards the eaves before your head hits the rafters? Then remember that you'll almost certainly need insulation below the rafters as well as between, reducing the headroom further. If your journey from notional head-bump to head bump across your loft is only 1 or 2 metres, then you may want to temper your enthusiasm somewhat. Also, you need somewhere for the stairs, and this is usually the biggest headache of all. They not only need 2m of headroom above them, but you need a useable landing the same depth as the width of the stairs. With lofts, this almost always means having your stair arrive on or near the centreline of the roof (ie under the apex). This often doesn't work for the loft, but more often doesn't work for the first floor, which is going to have to give up quite a bit of floor area to the stair.

Don't forget that loft conversions need Building Regulations Approval, and you will require fire doors on the escape route from loft to the outside, as well as an "Escape Window" providing emergency egress in the event of fire. This latter requirement has also stymied a couple of proposed conversions I have been involved with over the years. Nothing is easy about loft conversions.

A photo of your loft space and a description of your house would be useful (eg "1930's brick built semi").

 

[Milzy]

Stand up in the middle of your loft, at the apex of your roof. How far can you walk towards the eaves before your head hits the rafters? Then remember that you'll almost certainly need insulation below the rafters as well as between, reducing the headroom further. If your journey from notional head-bump to head bump across your loft is only 1 or 2 metres, then you may want to temper your enthusiasm somewhat. Also, you need somewhere for the stairs, and this is usually the biggest headache of all. They not only need 2m of headroom above them, but you need a useable landing the same depth as the width of the stairs. With lofts, this almost always means having your stair arrive on or near the centreline of the roof (ie under the apex). This often doesn't work for the loft, but more often doesn't work for the first floor, which is going to have to give up quite a bit of floor area to the stair.

Don't forget that loft conversions need Building Regulations Approval, and you will require fire doors on the escape route from loft to the outside, as well as an "Escape Window" providing emergency egress in the event of fire. This latter requirement has also stymied a couple of proposed conversions I have been involved with over the years. Nothing is easy about loft conversions.

A photo of your loft space and a description of your house would be useful (eg "1930's brick built semi").

There’s an airing cabinet for stairs. Trouble is you walk a few feet and head hits roof. 12 year old brick detached.

 

[MikeG]

I think you answered you own question then Miltzy. Your roof doesn't appear to offer enough useable space to make the cost (both financial and in terms of space lost from the floor below) worthwhile. However, that doesn't mean it is impossible, just highly unlikely to be worth it.

 

[Milzy]

I think you answered you own question then Miltzy. Your roof doesn't appear to offer enough useable space to make the cost (both financial and in terms of space lost from the floor below) worthwhile. However, that doesn't mean it is impossible, just highly unlikely to be worth it.

Ooohhh shoot. Maybe on the next house then. Ohhh well.

 

[Richard A Thackeray]

We have a proper attic, with a staircase

However, on the downside, it's cold up there now, as there's not a lot of insulation between the boarding & the tiles (be surprised if there is any at all!!)
Then, there's also hatches into the loft-space at the front & rear of the house

 

[Richard A Thackeray]

Re; the attic

Conversely, in the height of Summer, it's like getting into a car that's being parked in the sun all day
Even with two Dormers. & a Velux