Building and extending upwards is one of the most cost-efficient approaches for expanding your living space in home. Loft conversions are increasingly becoming the most popular choice for doing the same without requiring to shift to a new home.
Whether parents moving in or kids have returned from university, a Velux loft conversion can be an ideal fit for your future plans.
If you are looking for the most affordable and quick option for creating a living space in your home, Velux Loft Conversion is your pick!
Velux Loft Conversion, also known as rooflight loft conversion, the roofline remain unaltered and new velux windows are installed in the raft to allow more sunlight and illuminate the new space.
These windows are often termed as roof lights or skylights as they allow natural sunlight to enter through the newly constructed attic space.
Velux loft conversion allows you to give a style and design your attic space without having to make significant changes externally. Just one addition is made externally i.e. adding skylights to the roof.
When compared with other forms of loft conversions such as a dormer, hip-to-gable etc Velux windows loft conversion requires less construction work and are less disruptive as well.
The word VELUX was coined from two-word roots, VE meaning ventilation and LUX meaning light.
Loft conversion allows you to create an extra living space inside your home without having to use your garden space. Before the work begins, there are certainly some design constraints that one must need to consider.
These include:
Internal loft conversion or Velux roof windows conversions are the cheapest and quickest of all other conversions as they require only a few changes to be made in your roof space. These are:
As everything is done internally, velux loft conversion doesn’t require planning permission.
There are many options available in the market for the types of Velux Windows.
It’s always better to consult loft conversion specialists as they will help you find the best skylights for your Velux conversion.
In general, there are primarily three types of skylights that are perfect for a minimum pitch.
These types of windows are suitable for low-pitched and flat roofs as these ensure maximum sunlight and ventilation into your expanse. The unique opening mechanism of solar skylights can be operated by a remote.
These windows are perfect for any type of room whether flat or low pitched. These skylights are similar to solar ones with just a difference that these are operated by hand and not remote.
Fixed Skylights are a great option if you are looking to add a visual appeal to the interiors of the room and add an exceptional view to your room. These are an excellent pick for a low-pitched roof.
Other types of skylights:
There are almost no external finishes to consider as the external roof line remains unaltered. Cladding or slating can be performed around these new velux windows to impart a look that they have been here since ages.
Whether you want to create additional storage space or a living area, Velux Conversion is one of the best loft conversions in case you are looking for an easy, non-intrusive and cost-effective way to expand space.
If there is a good head height available between the loft floor and the ridge, you are good to go. Here are the benefits:
Whether it’s your bedroom, bathroom or office, Velux windows perfectly sync in with all room types and make sure to keep your privacy intact.
During summers, you can easily install blinds to prevent the room from becoming hot or too warm.
Smart skylights do much more than just giving high-quality air and light to your room.
These windows are equipped with rain sensors. They automatically shut, the moment it starts raining. The solar sensors make the windows open and close on their own either from the remote control or power from the sun.
Living in a noisy area is no longer a hassle, as these smart windows come with super sound insulation and cut the noise by 50%.
Mostly, Velux Loft Conversion does not require any planning permission as the roof stays intact, only windows are added.
If the property already has the Permitted Development Rights (PD), Velux loft conversion can be undertaken under the Certificate of Lawfulness. This means that you can start the construction even before the application is approved if things are planned as per the council guidelines.
There are some specific areas where the Permitted Development Rights may or may not apply such as those in conservation areas or some houses that already have undergone some kind of extension.
The best part of installing Velux window loft conversion is that you generally don’t need to get planning permission as you are just installing rooflights to the existing structure.
But, there are certain rules that you need to consider before undergoing loft conversion velux.
Height: During the modification of the roof, it should not extend beyond the highest point of the original roof plane.
Things are fairly simple with Velux loft conversion as it normally involves windows with a pitched design. So, whatever be the case, the height cannot exceed the maximum height of the roof whether these windows open outwards from the bottom or top.
You may or may not need planning permission but complying with Building Regulations is essential when you plan to convert your attic or loft space into livable space.
These building regulations are essential to ensure that:
Typically, the existing timber joists of the loft space are not designed to take up the additional load. Whether you are converting attic space into storage or living space, loft conversion means overloading the joists as per their design capacity.
This is the reason, you need to take approval from the Building Control Authority and file a Building Regulation Application.
The cost of Velux windows loft conversion depends on the number of windows and rooms you need to install. However, a Velux loft conversion cost starts from £25,000 plus VAT (taxes).
Connect with the best loft conversion specialists near you and get your property surveyed. The exact cost can be estimated based on this survey and your requirements.
Talking about conversion timelines, there are usually three phases involved during Velux Loft Conversion. These are:
This is the first stage when you plan to turn your unused attic space into a livable area.
Here, a meeting is scheduled with the project team (loft conversion experts or architects). They will survey the overall property and understand the key points of loft conversion such as headroom, accommodation access, fire safety, access etc.
After several rounds of brainstorming, one design plan is finalized among several drafted ones.
This design is submitted to the building control and local building office for approval. All the necessary consents regarding the velux loft conversion are given here.
The Building Control will give you a tentative date that when can you expect to hear from them.
After receiving consent and approvals from the local Building Control office, you can schedule your construction work. Work out the suitable dates for start to finish with your project manager and draft a working timeline.
You can start the construction work after you receive a positive intimation from the Building Control.
The construction stages can be split such as:
There is no one-size-fits-all timelines for two projects. The completion time depends on various factors such as type of house, number of windows needed and other interior works.
Usually, a Velux loft conversion takes around four weeks to complete.
Before commencing your loft conversion work there are certainly other things to consider such as insulation, safety, accessibility and insurance.
The headspace should be more than 2.2 m for any loft conversion to happen.
Another critical factor to consider is fire safety. The habitable space upstairs (attic) should have some form of fire escape such as windows.
Pros
Cons
The pros of the Velux loft conversion outweigh the cons in every way. By making some minor changes and additions, you can make your home look beautiful with rooflight windows.
Generally, every home is suitable for Velux Loft Conversion but still, there are certain parameters that you need to take care of.
Before you plan a conversion conduct a brief survey to ensure that your home is suitable for a loft conversion. Things that you need to look into include:
As such, there is no common plan that works for all loft conversions but most of the Velux loft conversion projects work according to this roadmap.
Step 1 – Initial Design
Here the house is surveyed and a design plan is formalized.
Step 2 – Apply for Planning Permission or Lawful Development Certificate
After finalizing the design plan as per the building control regulations, an application is filed for permitted development or building control for approval.
Step 3 – Party Wall Notices
In some loft conversions that involves a shared wall with your neighbour, you need to notify them.
Step 4 – Prepare Building Control Drawings
Before commencing the work, you need to get approval from building control by submitted the designs as well as provide them with structural calculations. The Building Control will assess whether proposed drawings comply with building regulations or not.
Step 5 – Start the work
After receiving the final consent from the Building Control, appoint a builder and start working on-site!
Turn your dark, pesky and unused attic spaces into beautifully tailored living spaces that are brightly lit with Velux loft conversion.
Our professional designers and loft conversion experts help you in bringing ideas and originality to the table. They will let you know what is feasible and what’s not.
With the highest level of professionalism and superior installations, we stand unrivalled as the best loft conversion experts in the UK. Browse our gallery for more design Velux Loft conversion Ideas.
Call us today for more information on loft conversions in the UK and schedule your free site visit today.
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