pinterest

Things You Need to Know About Hip to Gable Loft Conversion

Loft conversion is one of the most popular and affordable options for home extension in detached and semi-detached homes with sloping roofs. It’s easy, convenient and doesn’t make a dent in your pocket too! Read the complete article to understand everything about Hip to Gable Loft conversion, benefits, permissions, cost and feasibility scenarios.

1. Introduction

If you are looking for a way to create an extra room in your property, then Hip to Gable loft conversion could help you meet your desired requirements.

But, before that let’s first understand what is a Hip roof and a Gable roof?

Hip roof

A hipped roof has a sloping roof on all four sides. It s considered as one of the strongest roof types and is therefore a highly desirable one.

All four hips or slops are positioned at a 45-degree angle and are responsible for the roof’s strength and durability. All four hips meet at the central ridge.

One major disadvantage of hip roofs is that they are complicated to design and require extra effort than any other roof styling.

 Gable roof

Unlike hip roofs, gable roofs have two slant sides sliding on a common ridge. Gable roofs offer more floor area as well as are easier to design and construct than hip roofs.

 

 2. What is a hip to gable loft conversion?

The properties having a hipped roof or sloping roof on the sides are perfect for Hip to gable loft conversion.

This means that the side roof that is sloping inwards towards your chimney or ridge will be converted to a gable roof or a straight vertical wall.

Loft conversion hip to gable ensures a much larger attic/loft area that can further when combined with other loft conversions can be transformed into beautiful and useful space.

Here, the sloping side of the roof or hip is replaced by an upright wall that is created by extending the ridge and covering the gap between the hip and the ridge.

There are a plethora of choices for gable construction. You can choose wood and then tile it to match the roof, or you can for brick block pebbledash, rendering etc depending on your taste and budget requirements.

2.1 How is a Hip to Gable Loft Conversion performed?

As explained above, hip to gable loft conversion involves transforming a hip roof (side-sloping roof) into a gable roof.

A hip to gable loft conversion can only be performed on a semi-detached or detached homes having hipped roofs. The terrace roofs may not have the desired hipped roof on the side that can be converted into a vertical or upright wall.

Bungalows and chalets are the best-suited options for a hip to gable conversion as the structural integrity of these properties ensure that amount of pressure of the new roof does not exceed and remains in the buffer zone.

Loft conversion hip to gable may not be as expansive as dormer loft conversion but these are equally good when you are looking for spacious solutions for your home.

Minimizing the slopes and maximizing the space are the ideal two thumb rules followed by loft conversions as it serves as a good and affordable option to expand rather than to shift.

The process is relatively simple. Here one side of the sloping roof is extended outwards.

The part of the roof (side slope) is removed and a triangular shape vertical wall is constructed in that place. The height of the new wall is same as that of the central ridge.

The central ridge is extended and then connected to this newly built triangular wall. The space within is filled with additional roofing materials and then tiled.

The final result:  A spacious loft with more floor area and vertical space.

2.2 Types of Hip to Gable Loft Conversion

  • Half-hip: Here the new gable wall is constructed and is about two-thirds of the original height. A small triangular hipped roof is added to maintain the original look.

 

  • Baby Gable: To retain the original aesthetics of the roof but still gain some more space, a baby gable hip to gable loft conversion is opted.

Here the lower roof remains unaltered while the upper slope is transformed into a gable.  More headroom space  gets created by following this method.

  • Full-hip: Here the entire sloping (hipped) roof from one side is removed and a new gable is constructed. The central ridge is extended to meet this newly constructed wall.
  • Double hip: For detached homes, both sides of the hipped roofs can be converted to gable for maximizing space.

3. Planning Permission for a Hip to Gable Loft Conversion

Hip to gable loft conversions fall under the category of Permitted Developments rights. But, you can always get your drawings ready and get them approved and apply for a Certificate of Lawfulness.

This certificate relieves you from any apprehensions that you had regarding your construction and ensures that your conversion is lawful under the Permitted Development (PD) rights.

But, before starting your hip to gable loft conversion always check with your local council for any updated rules or regulations regarding loft conversions applicable in your locality.

The PD rights only cover dwelling houses; flats and mansions are not covered.

Also, if the site falls under conservation area, Permitted Development rights may not be applicable there.

Here are some considerations that you need to comply and abide even if PD rights are applicable.

  • For end-of-terrace and terraced houses, a volume of 40 m3 of additional roof space is allowed.
  • For semi-detached and detached houses, a volume of 50 m3 of additional roof space is allowed.
  • Extending beyond the height existing roof slope or principal elevation is not allowed in case that fronts the highway.
  • Any extension beyond the highest part of roof is not allowed including roof lights.
  • The materials used should be similar to the ones in appearance as of the existing home.
  • Balconies (except Juliet Balconies), verandas or raised platforms are not allowed.
  • All the side-facing windows should be obscure-glazed and the opening should be made at least 1.7m above the floor.
  • The loft conversions are not permitted in areas such as national parks, world heritage sites etc.
  • The extended roof cannot overhang and should remain inside from the outer face of the wall.

Another thing that needs to be kept in mind is that all the volume allowances include any previous roof extensions as well.

Before buying any property do enquire about any extensions previously made. You can approach this by finding out with your local council.

Your planning and drawings should comply with all the points listed above before applying for a Certificate of Lawfulness for your Hip to Gable loft conversion.

The issuance of this certificate eliminates any legal issues as well as adds to the value of the home and makes the future sale easier.

3.1 Building Regulations for Hip to gable loft conversions

All the loft conversions happening in and across UK should comply with building regulations.

From your design till completion, every step of the loft conversion construction should be vet by the local building authorities and must be signed off.

You need to clearance on each of these regulations in order to comply with local building regulations:

  • Headroom
  • Electrical and Fore safety
  • Insulation
  • Structural integrity
  • Stairs and stairs design
  • Sound proofing

4. Hip to Gable Loft Conversion Cost?

There are many different factors affecting the hip to gable loft conversion cost such as plumbing, flooring, internal fixtures, materials used etc.

Loft conversion hip to gable involves more intensive labour and materials than a dormer loft conversion. So, you can expect prices to be a bit higher than a normal loft conversion.

On average, a hip to gable loft conversion cost will be between £ 40,000 and £ 50,000 depending upon specification and size.

This amount includes plumbing, plastering, carpentry, heating, plumbing and electrics.

If you are planning to add a bathroom or go for flooring, then you can certainly expect some more pounds to be added.

The tiles and the underlay of the hipped roof are removed and a new end wall is built that becomes a new gable.

After that, the remaining sloping roofs are extended to meet the new gable to reclaim the space between the original height and the new one.

4.1 How long does a hip to gable loft conversion take to build?

A hip to gable loft conversion typically gets completed in around two to three months time. Ideally, 4-6 weeks time is needed to complete the construction and other stuff.

5. What other things do you need to make Hip to Gable Loft Conversion?

There are certain things that you need to consider before planning to go for hip to gable loft conversion. Have a look:

  1. Original Height

If you are planning for hip to gable loft renovation, then one major factor to consider is head height.

Most of the building regulations don’t allow going for loft conversion if the height is less than 2.3 m. In such a scenario, going for a loft conversion hip to gable would be pointless.

  1. Access

Make sure that your loft is fully accessible. You can choose from a variety of staircase designs available over the internet.

But, the architect needs to make sure that staircase is strategically placed so as to maximize the room for loft space.

  1. Space Usage

A lot of things also depend on the space usage.

Whether you want to convert your loft into a master bedroom or a living room, hobby space or gym room, a lot of things depends on the usage of space.

  1. Lighting

If you are planning to use the loft as storage, then you might not need any natural lighting.

But in case you are converting into a habitable area, then investing in dormer windows will make the place beautiful and livable.

  1. Weatherproofing

It may be possible that your loft might not have been designed as an integral part initially. So, it becomes important to check whether the roof is weatherproof or not.

In case, it’s not. The loft conversion specialists will design it to add additional insulation to enhance the livability of the area with respect to building regulations.

6. Pros and Cons of Hip to Gable Loft Conversion

Pros

Looking out for new properties to shift due to increasing family needs or other reasons, then it’s worth considering hip to gable loft conversion.

The extra space created by the loft conversion is the primary advantage that most homeowners prefer undergoing this home transformation.

Extra headspace opens the gate for bigger furniture, more spacious floor, and another room to meet the growing family needs.

You can always have an extra bedroom, living space or a perfect place to unwind yourself after the daily hectic chores. Value addition to the home is indeed the cherry on the top.

In a nutshell, the pros of a hip to gable loft conversion can be summarized as:

  • Increased headspace, living area
  • Saves money, affordable than buying a new home
  • Adds value to the property
  • Spacious accommodation
  • Multiple usages

Cons

A hip to dormer conversion is only possible in detached or semi-detached properties as they have a sloping roof at one end. For other types of properties, dormer, roof light or mansard can be considered as well.

This loft conversion is not possible with a terraced house. Well, this conversion does not add that much space as dormer loft conversion but is equally good for properties having hipped roofs.

 

7. Is my home suitable for Hip to Gable Loft conversion?

Typically, a home having a sloping (hiped) roof with a good headroom space (minimum 2.3 m) is ideal for the hip to gable conversion. Along with this, it should be detached, semi-detached or end-terraced house.

So, if you comply with these requirements as well as above stated building regulations, then your home is good to go for loft conversion hip to gable.

For mid-terrace properties, there is no hip end, so this loft conversion is not possible.

Whatever be the style of the property, the height between the top ridge and the joists of the ceiling just below should meet the minimum criteria for creating a liveable area.

7.1 How to calculate volume of Hip-To-Gable Loft extension?

To find out of your expected hip to gable conversion, you will require:

H: height of the main roof

D: distance from the ridge to the eaves

L: end to end length of the main roof from front of building to end of the building.

You can use a measuring tape to find the values. After the measurements are done, perform the following calculations:

Volume of prism = Length x area of triangle

=  (D x 2) x (L x C/2)

Volume of pyramid = 1/3 x Base Area x height

= 1/3  x ( 2 x L x D) x H

Volume of your loft conversion = Volume of Pyramid x Volume of prism / 2

8. Bottom Line

Turn your extra space into a beautiful bedroom with an attached bathroom and make your guests “wow” by adding beautiful interiors to it.

We are pioneers in converting your simple and unused loft into mesmerizing living spaces. Widely known as loft experts in the UK, we specialize in adding value, aesthetic appeal and space to your home starting at just £ 29,999.

Call us and schedule an appointment today!

Drop Your Query Here


captcha

Recent Posts


Loft Conversion

Drop Your Query Here

Want to build a new home or renovate your property? Oh!! You are on the right platform. Just submit your details here and schedule a free visit of our experts today.