Category: Loft Conversion

Building regulations play an important role in every construction work as these ensure that the buildings are safe, healthy to live and offer efficient habitable spaces to the homeowner and general public. Read the article to get an overview of various UK building regulations for loft conversion

The department of Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, England is the department responsible for enforcement of Building Regulations for loft conversion.

These regulations are applied to most of the buildings undergoing alterations as well as new buildings being constructed.

There are a set of approved documents that offer general guidance to the constructions and design aspects of the building that are needed to comply with Building Regulations. ‘

Read the article below to understand the key highlights of major sections that you need to consider before submitting the application under Building Regulations for loft conversion.

In case the construction/design works are complicated, then don’t forget to reach out to us for professional assistance before pitching your Building Regulation application.

What are Building Regulations UK?

Building Regulations are an exhaustive set of regulations/protocols regarding the designs, materials and construction methods that need to be considered.

Compliance with these building regulations is a must. The design proposals are assessed by a building inspector in the initial phases (before construction) as well as regular checks are performed during the construction phase.

Is Building Regulation permission required for loft conversion UK?

Whether you need planning permission for your loft conversion project or not, you are under an obligation to follow the relevant building regulations.

Building regulations are critical because they ensure that any alteration is structurally stable and built to last as well as ensures that stairs and fire escape are planned and installed correctly.

These regulations need to be complied and followed whether you want it to convert it to a storage space or a fully functional habitable space.

In which case do you need to submit application for Building Regulation Permission?

1. Creating a Storage Space

If the purpose for converting your loft is to turn it into a storage space, you may need to seek building regulation approval.

This is because the timber joists that act as the “floor” of the loft are not designed to support any significant weight, meaning that excessive weight can lead them beyond their capacity.

‘So, you need building regulation to ensure their safety.

2. Creating a Functional-living Space

If the goal is to create a live-in space, you need to seek building regulation approval as part of your home.

This is because loft conversions usually require a range of changes to be made which can affect the original structural integrity of the building so that both the house and its occupants are not at risk

If you are making just minor changes such as to access water tanks or for light storage, there is no need to file an application as long as it can be served with a retractable or portable loft ladder.

Read More: 5 Great Dormer Loft Conversion Ideas for you

UK Building Regulations for Loft Conversion

Loft Conversions add a good value to the property by the addition of more habitable space.

Loft conversion UK is considered as a major alteration to nay building space, so it should be properly constructed as per the new Building Regulations.

Approvals can be obtained by filing an application to the Local Council Building Control department. It is usually done by locally approved Inspectors.

You won’t be able to sell the property (undergone loft conversion), if the property doesn’t has approval from Building Regulations Department.

Let’s have a look at the important Building Regulations section-wise.

1.       Structural Considerations

Most of the ceilings in homes are not designed to be served as floors. So, in order to make them strong, the installation of joists or timber/steel beams may be required to carry the roof and floor load.

Every loft conversion UK must comply with Building Regulations to ensure that the new structure which is designed, altered or constructed should be robust and retains the structural integrity.

It should not impact the safety or integrity of other buildings. This section covers all the design standards, rules for masonry/timber elements, list of materials and their strength etc.

Where new floor joists are required, they must be supported by an existing wall that goes down to the foundation of the house.

You may need the help of a structural engineer to assess the lintels, existing walls and beams to calculate the sizes/need of new structural elements.

2.       Fire Safety

Construction of a new floor eventually increases the risk to occupants in case of a fire breakout.

So, the Building Regulations ensure that a proper escape route has been planned and implemented from the new rooms to the front gate or final exit at the ground level.

The new structure should provide atleast 30-miutes of fire resistance to the new rooms. The new doors should also be fire doors.

This section of Building Regulations covers all the safety measures such as detection of fire, warning system, escape system and use of fire-resistant structural elements, compartmentation as well as facilities for fire fighting.

3.       Resistance to moisture and contaminants

This section of Building Regulations UK deals with site preparation to ensure that to avoid water ingress and moisture control on buildings.

It also provides instructions to deal with contaminated land that’s due to the presence of harmful gases or hazardous substances.

4.       Sound Insulation

This section deals with the sound insulation of the newly constructed loft space with respect to party walls.

The homeowners may need to upgrade the walls (fully or partially) in case they are not up to the standards for the habitable space.

The details are mentioned in Approved Document E that throws lights on sound insulation for both new dwellings as well as the buildings undergoing conversion to form dwellings.

All the details pertaining to sound reduction, cancellation and insulation in designated rooms in dwellings, rooms in residential purposes and acoustic conditions for common areas such as schools, flats etc are mentioned here.

5.       Thermal Insulation

The walls and roofs of the newly constructed loft separate the unheated space (outside) from heated space (inside).

These new ‘thermal elements’ must be upgraded to comply with the Building Regulations UK.

6.       Ventilation

Building regulations also lay down standards or proper ventilation across the new floor space and maintain the air quality of the building.

Apart from that, it focuses on aiming for water efficiency as well as safety requirements for the hot water systems that go unvented.

7.       Drainage and waste disposal

Various technical aspects and designs are mentioned that are required to comply to ensure proper rainwater drainage, foul drainage, sanitary pipework, wastewater treatment, cesspools and discharges.

Read More: What Building Regulation Do I Need for A Home Extension

8.       Electrical safety

This section covers the installation, design, testing and inspection of all electrical installations.

These regulations must be complied to prevent injuries from electrical fire-breakouts, burns, shocks etc that may happen due to overheating or arching of electrical components.

Loft Conversion Stairs Regulations

For accessing the loft, a retractable ladder is not permitted under building regulations.

Primarily, four types of staircases are permissible for a loft conversion UK. These are:

• Standard staircase
• Spiral staircase
• Fixed ladder
• Alternating Tread staircase

Fixed ladder and alternating tread are only acceptable when there is a shortage of space for a spiral or standard staircase installation plus they serve only a single room (or, bathroom).

The pitch of the stair steps and design of the staircase must comply with the building regulations. Here are some of the Building regulations for loft staircase UK.

• There must be a maximum steepness pitch/angle of 42 degrees.
• There must be a fixed staircase to provide safe access to and from the loft.
• All the steps/risers must be equal with height falling between 150mm and 220 mm.
• There must be a minimum headroom height of 2m and can be decreased to 1.8m for a sloping roof.
• If there is a drop of more than 600mm, there must be handrails provided on the staircase.
• For single rooms, space saver stairs with handrails on both sides.
• All loft stairs must have 30-minute fire resistance ability.
• The space-saving stairs (fixed and alternating tread) must be used only as an alternative (only in case of assisting a single room).

What Other Regulations or Guidelines Should I be aware of?

Planning Permission

You won’t need planning permission for loft conversion because in most cases, loft conversions fall under permitted development.

However, to be safe, you should follow these;

• The new loft space should not be larger than 40 cubic metres for terraced houses, and 50 cubic metres for detached and semi-detached houses.
• The loft conversion doesn’t extend beyond the plane of the existing roof slope at the front of the house (principle elevation)
• The loft conversion does not extend higher than the highest part of the existing roof.
• The loft conversion does not include any verandas, balconies, or raised platform
• The loft conversion is made using the same material similar in appearance to the rest of the house
• Any side-facing window must be obscured-glazed
• The roof extension is set back at least 20cm from the original eaves except for the hip-to-gable loft conversion
• The loft conversion does not overhang the original walls
• Your home is not located in certain designated areas, including national parks, areas of outstanding natural beauty, conservation areas, and world heritage sites.

Third-Party Wall Agreement

It depends on the type of loft conversion and its effect on the shared wall with your neighbour. Your contractor should be able to advise you on this.

If you do need one, it is recommended that you speak with your neighbour two months before the work is to begin.

If the neighbour disagrees or gives a dissent, you need to get an agreement drawn that will state the conditions and responsibility for any damage to the party wall.

It will be more comfortable and cheaper to discuss with your neighbour and come to a documented amicable resolution.

TEL Constructions- The most Trusted & Professional Loft Conversion Company in UK

Having the right construction partner can make your loft conversion a piece of cake, and that is what TEL Constructions achieves for its esteemed clients.

With in-depth knowledge of the building regulations, we help homeowners achieve their dream of providing their loved ones with the stability needed to thrive and create functional live-in spaces that increase their properties’ value.

Reach out to us today for the best loft conversion ideas and designs that not only add space but amp up the value of your property as well.

Mail your queries at support@telconstructions.co.uk or feel free to call us at 02081584006.

Growing family space needs making you worry?

Your compact home makes you consider the option of moving/shifting to a new one?

Wait for a second!

It’s more expensive to shift to a new house as it includes cost of buying plus the additional taxes.

Why not improve, rather than move?

It’s not only affordable, hassle -free and adds space but your little investment could drastically improve the property value as well!

Yes! Get inspired by these 10+ genius home space saving ideas to increase your home space without any need to shift or move.

Let’s dive in detail.

1. Porch Extension

Wondering if you can extend the front of your home? OfCourse you can!

Adding a porch to the front of your home is a perfect way to glam up your featureless frontage as well as adore a good indoor practical storage space.

It’s better consulting a home extension specialist in UK to a get a design that suits your original architecture and is built in proportion according to the size of home.

A well-considered design will help you maximize on the amount of daylight and enhance a good value to your property.

Porch extension is an incredible option that connects indoors with outdoors. It’s worth considering if the front door of your home opens directly into the living area.

The brick-built porch construction in UK may take up to 1-2 week’s time depending on the materials and size.

2. Rear Extension

Don’t have enough space in the front for creating a porch?

Don’t worry. Go for a rear home extension.

Work over the rear space that extends onto your garden and can easily be repurposed into an additional room.

A rear extension transforms your outdoor unused space to create more inside space. Depending on your requirements, the extension can be single or double storey.

Proper and right use of doors and windows won’t let you feel that you’ve given up on your garden space. They’ll keep your space airy, well-lit and gives an open feel.

Connect the best construction company in UK for the best quote for rear extension of your space.

3. Loft Conversion

Space constraints in both front and rear part of home?

Don’t want to compromise on your front and rear space?

Look up!

Yes! It’s your unused attic space.

Loft conversion is indeed one of the best home space saving ideas that transforms the dead, unused attic space into aesthetically appealing functional rooms.

Browse Google for best loft conversion companies near me and get hold of an opportunity to convert your space into a space of your choice.

Depending on the loft conversion you pot for, you can turn your loft space into:

• One bedroom or two bedrooms
• Master en-suite bedroom
• Playroom
• Guest room
• Home theater
• Gym
• Home Office
• Kids room

And much more!

Most of the loft conversion types fall under permitted developments and do not require any additional permission.

Though, you need to comply through the building regulations or other agreements to ensure that the structural integrity of your space is not compromised.

A loft conversion immediately adds to a minimum of 10-15% to your property which is worth every penny spent!

4. Basement Conversion

Not interested in changing the look-n-feel of your home? Then explore this home space saving option.

Having an unused basement space? Why not use it to add the much-desired extra space.

Well, this option may be a bit expensive but in high-value areas it may be turn out to be one of the best home space savers when no other option seems working.

Ideal for:

• Home office
• Home theater
• Guest room

So, plan you next get-together for your family or friends in your new basement, or give your teenager the desired privacy with his/her own personal room.

5. Side Extension

Living in a Georgian or Victorian era properties? They must be having side alleys that make side extension a bit easier and affordable.

These side alleys can be used to expand the width of the home.

Even if you don’t want to use alleyway, a side extension can help you add approximately 3m on an average to your space.

A side extension is a classic way that turns your claustrophobic, small kitchen into a spacious kitchen-diner that has plenty of room to host and cook.

6. Kitchen Extension

Today, the modern kitchens aren’t just the places to cook, but have eventually transformed into spaces for socializing, living, playing, doing homework etc.

In a nutshell, a kitchen is now a place where the life happens!

A kitchen extension is a perfect way to give a makeover to your awkward and cramped looking kitchen space.

You can use the side-return to extend the kitchen and make it look spacious.

Just a simple change of layout and feel the natural light pouring in and the contemporary appliances are like cherry on the top.

Contact the best kitchen extension company near you to turn your kitchen space into a multi-functional one. The experts will help you design a layout for an open-plan space that integrates all the sub-areas into one.

You can further use bi-folding, French or sliding doors to amplify the connection of the new kitchen extension to the garden.

7. Garage Conversion

As the cars have become bigger and bigger, garages are often taken as the dumping ground for excess items.

So, in case you don’t have the space and budget to extend the home space, transforming your garage into a living area can turn out to be most cost-effective way.

Things to consider before a garage conversion:

If the floor and walls of the garage are stable as well as the roof is waterproof, you can easily convert your garage into a habitable space.

But in case, the structure inside needs repair and isn’t integral, then building it from scratch (after demolishing) would be better than reworking on it.

The best thing about garage conversion is that you can do it yourself. Professionals take around 9-20 days to give a complete makeover to your garage.

8. Above-Garage room conversion

This is one of the best home space saving ideas that not only saves your ground space but offers a good return on investment over the property.

It’s advisable to reach out for a design expert in UK to know whether your structure is sound or not and can bear additional load.

Don’t want to compromise on your garden space? Then, going for above-garage room extension is an ideal pick. Building regulations will comply and you may need to seek permissions form local authority.

9. Orangery or Conservatory Home Extension

Looking for some natural home extension ideas that can blend well with the existing architecture of the home, then go for conservatory or an orangery.

You can choose between contemporary to period-style, as these are available in various guises and is indeed a cost-effective way to add space.

Advantages

• Let the natural light flood in
• Adds to home value
• Can easily be transformed to a living space such as tranquil lounge, home gym, dining area, cosy family room or a home office.
• Bespoke designs

10.  Sunrooms

Sunroom is just like a conservatory with the main objective to increase indoor space and let in ample amount of natural light.

The main advantage of sunroom is that it can be connected to home’s central heating as it is built as a part of home or is like a home extension.

These fantastic sunrooms can be converted into second living rooms or a cheerful dining room. They are usually made up of PVC or glass which further reduces the material cost.

Some additional space saving hacks to try

11. Garden Room

If you don’t score on space and there is no scope of home extension, then going for garden room could offer you a great solution.

You can easily convert it into your child’s play area, cinema room or even home office. You can use it for your small get-togethers to enjoy the weather.

12. Space-Saving Bespoke Furniture

Off-the-shelf furniture often creates problems if you try to decorate your home as it consumes unnecessary space.

Turning to tailor-made or bespoke furniture helps you save huge on your space plus create excellent storage opportunities.

13. Innovative Wardrobe Designs

A lot of space is wasted with free-standing wardrobes that come in pre-determined sizes.

Aside from looking out of place and stealing the spotlight from other valuable pieces of your interior decor, it eats up critical spaces that can be used for other purposes.

Bespoke or fitted wardrobes are designed according to the room size, dimensions and your requirements.

The exceptional feature of a fitted wardrobe is that it can create innovative storage from impossible places from the stair, corridor, high ceiling, to the bay area, to a sliding wardrobe by your bedside bed.

You can give them a look as per your style, taste and needs!

Winding up

These were some great and inspiring ways that help you increase your home space without any need to shift or move.

Whether you go for a home extension, Loft conversion, garage conversion or other options, do look out for best construction companies near you for the right advice and services.

You don’t have to break the bank to add additional space to your home, just check which of these hacks suits your requirements and Get Set Go!