Introduction

Transforming that unused space in your Loft into a new master bedroom, playroom, or guest bedroom is a fantastic ideal and will undoubtedly add value to your home and when you need more space is far cheaper than moving to a new home.

The first step in your planning process is to establish if your Loft is suitable for a loft conversion as not all lofts are suitable.

So, a good rule is before you get too far into planning your loft conversion project, carry out a brief survey using the 5 points below:

Roof structure 

Is it a traditional cut rafter and purlin roof or a trussed roof?

Height

When deciding if your Loft is suitable for conversion, one of the biggest questions you will face is, Is there enough height within your existing Loft? The planning regulations state that the minimum height for a traditional roof is between 2.2 to 2.4 meters. The minimum height needed for conversion if a modern trussed roof is between 2.4 to 2.6 meters.

Space

Is the loft space large enough for a conversion that will provide a usable room suited to what you intend?

Chimneys or services

If these don’t pass through the loft space, they will not need to move if they will need to be relocated to a suitable area.

Felt

Does your roof has felt under the roof tiles? A simple and easy way to tell is by looking at the back of the roof tiles. If you have felt, you should see a black bituminous paper under the tiles and battens.

If you are happy with these checks, it’s a good sign that your property will be suitable for a loft conversion. If you have any doubt, don’t worry, your builder or architect will always develop a solution around any of the issues.

There are four common types of loft conversions you can choose when planning to extend your home. Find out more about these here.