Loft Conversions in Glasgow
With Glasgow residential property prices rising with its exponential demand, many more are opting to add loft conversions to their homes.
General Loft Conversions
One of the simplest and cheapest ways to convert your loft is by adding a fixed staircase and velux windows. When there is ample headspace already there is no need to add a dormer or hip to gable conversion
Design considerations
A good design should not only meet your needs, but should also be feasible in terms of budget and compliance with Building Regulations. Some of the key areas to consider when planning a design include:
Height is a significant factor to consider when creating functional rooms, as the roof pitch typically slopes down to the floor. We recommend a minimum height of 2.4 meters (8 feet) from the top of the ceiling joist to the underside of the rafters.
Staircases require at least 2 meters of headroom over half of the tread, and must be designed as part of the escape route, which needs to be fire-protected for a minimum of 30 minutes.
Roof windows can be installed using Velux’s, gable ends, or incorporated into a new dormer. If a bathroom is being installed in the roof, consideration should be given to the waste system, as it can be challenging to install new pipework through the floor.
For second floors or rooms with a finished floor that is over 4.5 meters but under 7.5 meters, a sealed/protected landing is necessary at the top or bottom of the staircase.
Design Options
Once you have established the optimal location for the stairs, landing, and structural components, the next step is to begin designing the rooms. Sloping roofs can present a challenge, but with careful planning, they can also provide an attractive feature.
It is advisable to work with the existing shapes and allow each room to fully utilize the triangular profile wherever possible. A dormer can be a useful addition, providing additional space and architectural interest to the external roof. When choosing the external finish for the dormer, it’s important to be mindful that attempting to match the tiles may not always be aesthetically pleasing, particularly with the small dormer sides.
The dormer is a distinct feature and may not always blend in seamlessly. Therefore, it’s best to choose finishes that highlight its angles and purpose. Velux windows are an excellent way to bring natural light into the room.
Other alternatives include raising the gable, creating hip dormers, or, in certain situations, installing a new roof. Depending on the constraints imposed by surrounding properties, installing a new roof may be the most effective approach, as it allows for a custom design that accommodates the homeowner’s preferences. Furthermore, surprisingly, it may not be much more expensive to construct if attic trusses are employed.
Building Regulations
For any modifications to the roof, particularly for creating livable spaces such as bedrooms, it is essential to obtain a building control certificate. When planning the roof design, it is imperative that your architect or architectural designer takes the following factors into account:
- The structure of the new floor joists and roof must be supported, usually through the use of steel beams designed by an engineer.
- A protected fire route must be provided that can sustain for at least 30 minutes until reaching the final exit, and existing doors will need to be upgraded to fire doors.
- Detection and sounded alarms are necessary and need to be linked together.
- The stairs must have adequate headroom of 2.0 meters and not be too steep (less than 42 degrees).
- There should be reasonable sound insulation between the conversion and the rooms beneath.
All the designs that we present to you are intended to meet building regulations and are feasible to construct.