Loft Conversion London | Specialists Lofts Conversions Company

A house extension of any kind is enormously exciting, but we understand that it can also be an anxious process, not least because of the large sums of money involved to realise your dreams. So it’s absolutely vital you research the local loft conversion market. You’ll find plenty of builders advertising themselves as loft conversion companies, but you need to be completely confident in the loft conversion company you decide to work with on this most important of projects.

A successful and unblemished track record is rarer than you might think among loft conversion companies in London and near me. We’re proud to stand apart from the competition. Our long standing in London loft conversion marketplace, and the numerous testimonials and referred business we receive provide invaluable reassurance of our commitment to quality and the improvement of our clients’ homes.

Step by step to your loft conversion.

We’ll confirm a convenient day or evening time for our loft conversion specialists to visit you in your home. The home visit allows us to discuss your needs in as much depth as you would like and to carry out a survey of the loft space and assess potential loft conversion design ideas. Hopefully you’ll have looked at some of the many loft conversion examples in our portfolio already, and perhaps have your own wish-list of ideas already. Depending of course on the size of your attic space, our visit should take no longer than half an hour.

From our discussions and the loft inspection, our loft conversion specialists produce detailed quotation within a week. We can provide this by email or by post if you prefer.
If you decide you’d like to appoint us as your preferred loft conversion company, we ask for an initial deposit of just 5% of the quoted loft conversion cost. This allows us to instruct our architect to visit your home, discuss your loft conversion ideas and produce detailed architectural plans within a few weeks. The deposit also allows us to schedule an approximate start date and build time. We’ll then contact you a week or a month before two dates: the erection of scaffolding and a confirmed start date shortly after. This way, the start date means the start of the loft conversion itself.

Our craftsmanship and care are our reputation and our future, and we leave nothing to chance. Our workforce comprises long-standing employees and partners for all construction, electrics, plumbing and exterior roofing work, all overseen on-site by the project manager. There’ll never be an unfamiliar face working on your attic conversion; even our plasterers (the only trade we subcontract) are people we’ve worked closely with for many years.

Converting a loft in the UK typically involves adhering to Building Regulations. These standards ensure that the loft conversion is safe, structurally sound, and meets certain energy efficiency requirements. Here are some key considerations and standards commonly applied:

Building Regulations: Loft conversions in the UK are subject to building regulations, which cover aspects such as structural integrity, fire safety, insulation, ventilation, electrical and plumbing work, and accessibility. These regulations are enforced by local building control officers.

Structural Stability: The existing structure of the building must be assessed to ensure it can support the additional weight of the loft conversion. This includes the floor joists, roof structure, and foundations.

Fire Safety: Loft conversions must comply with fire safety standards to ensure occupants have a safe means of escape in the event of a fire. This typically involves installing fire-resistant doors, smoke alarms, and sometimes sprinkler systems, depending on the size and layout of the conversion.Please refer to Fire Safety Approved Document B

Insulation: Adequate insulation is essential to ensure the loft space is energy efficient and meets current building regulations. This includes insulation in the roof, walls, and floors to prevent heat loss and maintain a comfortable living environment. Please refer to Part L Building Regulations.

Ventilation: Proper ventilation is important to prevent issues such as condensation and mold growth. Ventilation requirements vary depending on factors such as the size of the loft space and the number of occupants.

Electrical and Plumbing: Any electrical or plumbing work carried out as part of the loft conversion must comply with relevant building regulations and be carried out by qualified professionals. See Part P for Electrical Installations and See Part G for Sanitation, hot water and water

Accessibility: If the loft is intended to be used as a habitable space, it must be accessible via a suitable staircase that meets building regulations in terms of width, height, and gradient. Please refer to Approved Documant K.

Party Wall Act: If the loft conversion involves work on a party wall (a wall shared with a neighbouring property), the Party Wall Act 1996 may apply, requiring you to notify adjoining property owners and obtain their consent for certain types of work.

Planning Permission: In some cases, loft conversions may require planning permission from the local planning authority, particularly if the conversion alters the exterior of the property or if it falls within a designated conservation area.

By working closely with Home Renovation London, you can ensure that your loft conversion project is completed to the highest standards of quality and compliance with all relevant regulations.

Ceiling height requirements: For a loft conversion to be a viable option, and for it to pass building regulations, your ceiling height will need to be 2.2 meters from the floor joist to the highest point. This means there is still enough ceiling height (around 1.9-2.0m) once the roof has been insulated and the floor built up. If you find there is not enough ceiling space, it might be possible to come up with a solution to increase the ceiling height. However, if you live in a conservation area it is unlikely you will get planning permission to alter the roof.

Access and stairs: Staircases are a vital part of a loft conversion, not just for access but for building regulations too. There must be at least 1.9m of headroom for the stairs and the maximum pitch is 42 degrees. There is no minimum width. Simply Loft will be able to discuss staircase options with you and can match your existing staircases or create a new design entirely.

Loft conversion in a flat: It is possible in some cases to add a loft extension to a flat. To do this you will need to own the freehold for the flat as well as the loft space. It is also highly likely you will need to have a party wall agreement with any flats below and to the side of you. Take a look at how we transformed this top floor mansion block flat with a loft conversion.

There are three main things to consider when planning a loft conversion: the amount of clear head room, whether the existing floor will require strengthening, and whether the existing roof insulation will need upgrading.
Depending on the pitch of your existing roof, you may be restricted on the amount of usable floor space you have in the loft due to head height. You can increase the usable space by adding a roof dormer or changing the shape of your roof.
The existing loft floor will most likely only be designed for storage; therefore most loft conversions require new floor joists to strength the floor. The existing roof may not have any insulation (most loft spaces have Rockwool insulation at loft floor level). The existing roof will therefore need to be upgraded with insulation.

Roof sections

There are several types of roof style and shape that you may wish to consider:

Pitched-roof dormer: Pitched roof dormers can be used to increase the usable space within a single room in a loft conversion.

Flat-roof dormer: Flat roof dormers are a better choice for maximising usable space. They can be stretched along the full length of a roof. There are many options for the external finish of the dormer walls; these include vertically hung tiles and timber cladding.

Hip-to-gable roof conversion: A hip-to-gable roof conversion can provide more usable floor space for a loft conversion. The existing roof ‘hip’ is extended into a ‘gable’. This conversion also provides a better roof shape to build a dormer, further increasing the usable floor space in the loft.

extended into a ‘gable’. This conversion also provides a better roof shape to build a dormer, further increasing the usable floor space in the loft. Loft Convirsion in London Company will be able to advise upon which is the most suitable for your particular loft. At the same time, we will work with your budget, taking into account how the room is configured, where the windows are placed and the current energy efficiency.

Getting the design right

Don’t try and make your loft something it isn’t. Take advantage of its shape, nooks and crannies and go with the flow. We will do this naturally, maybe suggesting two smaller rooms rather than one large one. If beams are retained, showing off the natural wood can become a design feature. Think about the layout, particularly if you are including a bathroom.
Placing the stairs is also crucial to the design in order to maximise space, as is putting the door at the top or the bottom. Our loft conversion specialists in london will be able to produce drawings that can be given to builders in order for them to place tenders. If a structural design is required, this can be discussed during the initial stages.

Maximise the light

Going with lighter colours internally will maximise the light and space. The size and position of your windows is also a crucial part of the loft conversion design. If you want to end up with a light room, the glazing should account for about 20% of the roof area.
Where the windows are placed will depend upon the shape of the loft. If it is long and narrow, windows may be spaced along its length. A smaller deeper room may just need one larger window. Windows can be top-hung or come with a centre-pivot. If out of reach, rods or electronic controls can be used to operate them.

Shower or bathroom

The dimensions may be unusual and the overhead beams bulky, but you may still be able to include a bathroom or shower in your loft conversion in London. Baths don’t need a minimum amount of headroom and a free-standing bath can look incredible.
Showers will need more headroom so we will advise on which to go for. Extractor fans may be required if the windows don’t give sufficient ventilation. Think of using opaque glass panels to a divide bathroom from bedroom/other space.

Add plenty of storage

With all of that eaves space to play with, there should be no shortage of storage space. Talk to us about building shelves, recesses or cupboards into the eaves. Not only does this look good but it is a super way of making use of otherwise under-utilised space. This can be done in the bathroom also, adding storage for towels, toiletries and cosmetic items.
We will not see the eaves space as a problem but instead we will embrace those odd shapes, using them to his benefit when laying out the plans. Where the roof slants, custom-made cupboards can be built in, not only providing innovative storage but maximising the whole of the space.

Loft conversions and extensions are two different things. A loft conversion turns an attic into living space, while an extension adds new rooms to the outside of a building. The best option for you depends on your needs, budget, and the size and layout of your home.

Adding the extra weight of a loft conversion to an existing home can put extra stress on the foundations. Your home's foundations should be checked before carrying out a loft conversion — to do this, your builder will need to dig a trial hole to expose the foundations. Your building inspector may want to check these also.

If your foundations are deemed not deep enough to support the extra weight, you'll likely require a structural engineer's input. We may suggest structural interventions to spread the load of the weight through structural beams, or else look at underpinning the foundations. Both of these can add a lot to the cost of your project.

Finding the right person to do your loft conversion can be a challenge; the work is a serious investment and you need to make sure that your home and your money are protected. Loft Conversion in London specialists are ready to help you to make the most of the space that you have. We provide loft conversion services across London and near me. Loft conversion specialists in West London. Loft conversion specialists in South London. Loft conversion specialists in East London. Loft conversion specialists in North London. We cover Kensington, Chelsea, Mayfair, Knightsbridge, Hammersmith, Fullham, Earl's Court, Battersea, Richmond, Kingston, Ealing, Park Royal, Shepherds Bush, Acton, Finchley, Wembley, Paddington, Maida vale, Kilburn, Swiss Cottage, Edgware, Harrow, Slough, Uxbridge, Hounslow, Hayes, Enfield, Barnet, Camden, Hackney, Westminster, Islington, Greenwich, Newham, Bexley, Bromley, Aylesbury, Guildford, Reading, Watford and Essex.