Loft conversion

[summerdays]

We are thinking of extending into our loft to get an extra bedroom. We've had one company around and they have told us that due to the limited space/headroom we should put a flat roofed dormer on the back. I can't say I'm a fan of them but I suspect they are right - though I still want to make it look as nice as possible from outside. (Been looking at roofs every time I'm out now trying to work out what is the best proportions for one).

How long do the normal flat roof coverings last? I assume the normal for a flat roof is bitumen? I forgot to ask the guy about that until after he left. Are there any other alternatives?

Has anyone been through the loft conversion experience and have points/tips that it is worth me considering?

 

[Doseone]

Flat roofs normally about 15 years but it depends on quality of installation, exposure and all sorts of other factors.

Make sure you get building regulation approval and planning permission if you need it.

Why can't they put a pitched roof dormer on? Looks a lot better but will be more expensive.

 

[MarkF]

Only 15 years? My guys have fitted flat roof coverings since 1988 and none are anywhere near the end of their lifespan. I import it from the US where it's lifespan has proven to be 50+ years and we don't have their climate extremes......

I would not touch felt with a bargepole considering the more modern alternatives on offer, I use Firestone EPDM and can recommend it, I'd also consider fibreglass, both are good systems when installed correctly.

 

[subaqua]

when i get back from work I will post some pics of our loft conversion roof. it is flat roof dormer.

 

[bikepete]

I would not touch felt with a bargepole considering the more modern alternatives on offer, I use Firestone EPDM and can recommend it

+1. Had EPDM put on my flat roof garage-sized shed - 20 year guarantee, 40 years+ expected :-).

 

[fossyant]

We too could be looking at this in the non to distant future. Head room will be an issue, but it will most likely be a 'work/play' room.

Our main issue is the roof design, in other words we have a number of joists supporting the roof in the middle - I'm assuming some sort of RSJ would be needed to replace these ?

 

[Rohloff_Brompton_Rider]

Fossy,

I've done quite a bit of electrical work for a manchester conversion specialists firm, their work is top class. when your ready just gimme a shout and i'll pm you the number.

 

[dawesome]

You may not need PP, you will need to meet building regs, fire doors, mains-powered smoke alarms and head height above the stairs. The dormer hangs off a RSJ, I had a Juliette balcony fitted so the doors open inwards and you can have a latte in the morning in a terry towel bathrobe.

 

[007fair]

We got a flat roof dormer when we converted our loft. The builders said they used some material from Sweden and it would last 25 years or so I think. They advised not to get the old fashioned felt stuff - I used that on the kids playhouse and it I would like it on a dorma.

Our dormer was at the back so did take the look off the house from the front. It was not the prettiest sight as it came right out to outside wall but we had a fantastic room up there and internally a real selling point. We have moved since and every house we looked at I wanted to see if the loft had conversion potential. Brilliant use of space.

 

[Rohloff_Brompton_Rider]

i agree, brilliant use of space. the ones i've wired / rewired have been amazing, i.e, even the smallest terraced house always ends up with an en-suite and decent sized bedroom. and a decent sized house ends up with huge amounts of space.

it's always weird because i go up to quote before the builder starts, and when i go in for the 1st fix, i'm always gobsmacked at the size of the new space.

 

[dawesome]

I put storage along the angled pitched roof, and pushed the bed under the Velux window. Being woken by the sound of rain pitter-pattering on the window a foot above your head is bliss, you wake up going "Wassat?" then snuggle back into the duvet.

 

[subaqua]

if anybody down here needs a top notch conversion specialist i can put you in touch with the guy who did mine. 5 weeks from scaffolding up to completion cert and scaffold down. no aggravation at all. I have wired several in the past and was sceptical it could be done in such a short timescale. I had the surveyor from work pop in every evening on his way home to check it was built properly and he too was amazed at how quick it was done.

below 40 cubic metres extra ( in a terraced house)(50 cubic metres for others ) its covered under permitted development , with a few exceptions - end of terrace on a main road needs PP apparently.

Some local Authorities have some small quirks and if you go for a certificate of Lawful development they can refuse it on stuff that can be done under Permitted development. Bonkers but thats planning departments for ya.

if you have the chance for solar panels to be done at the same time do it , as the planning permission is almost a box tick exercise as Local Authorities rush to be seen as green as they can be.

my only regret is we didn't do it 10 years ago !!

 

[wheeliebin]

We are thinking of extending into our loft to get an extra bedroom. We've had one company around and they have told us that due to the limited space/headroom we should put a flat roofed dormer on the back. I can't say I'm a fan of them but I suspect they are right - though I still want to make it look as nice as possible from outside. (Been looking at roofs every time I'm out now trying to work out what is the best proportions for one).

How long do the normal flat roof coverings last? I assume the normal for a flat roof is bitumen? I forgot to ask the guy about that until after he left. Are there any other alternatives?

Has anyone been through the loft conversion experience and have points/tips that it is worth me considering?

Two tips from my experience:
1. Choice of builder is really important, more so than with normal building work (eg extensions). I ended up very disappointed with the firm I used.
2. Make sure you know what you will gain/lose as a result. We got a good size loft room but the stair position meant we had to make our smallest bedroom much smaller. Is OK as a nursery/office but not big enough for a growing child's room.

 

[MarkF]

1. Choice of builder is really important, more so than with normal building work (eg extensions). I ended up very disappointed with the firm I used.

Yes! A lot of our work is putting right, often completely re-doing, installations that we originally quoted on but lost. Check the company out, the owners too, check them at companies house as well, how long have they been trading? You need to check their work too and not one that they want you to, ask for the last 5 jobs and choose at random.

Most important of all, do not pay until you are happy, withhold the payment or last staged payment until you are100% happy. The power remains with you only for as long as the cash remains in your pocket.

 

[Sara_H]

I know this is a daft question, but I dream of having my loft converted into a bedroom with an ensuite shower room - whats a general price guide for such a job?