One of the most important factors to consider when planning a loft conversion is the height of your roof. In order for a loft to be eligible for conversion, it must have a minimum height of 2.2 metres. If you want your finished loft conversion to be considered legal and suitable for habitation, you must comply with building regulations. Here’s how you can ensure your loft conversion is spacious enough for your needs.
Measurements to determine the minimum height of your loft space are taken from the floorboards to the highest point of the internal roof space. Even if these initial measurements are 2.2 metres, to create a space that is actually comfortable to live in, a height of 2.4-2.6 metres is preferable. When construction begins and insulation, flooring and ceiling finishes are added, your original measurements are likely to suffer reductions.
If you find that your initial roof height measurements are insufficient, there are ways around it. Raising the roof height is possible but is a lot of extra work, and can be costly. If you plan to do this, it is highly likely that you will also need to acquire planning permission- raising the roof alters the exterior appearance of the property.
Another alternative is lowering the ceiling of the room directly below your loft, if those ceilings are already above the minimum height required. While this process is similarly complex and expensive, it avoids the need for significant external changes to your property.
At Simply Easy Refurbs, we recommend opting for a Dormer or Mansard loft conversion if height is one of your main concerns. For Dormer conversions, a flat-roof or gable-fronted dormer is built, creating a full-height section of the loft. A Mansard conversion, on the other hand, significantly increases headroom by replacing one entire slope of the roof with a near-vertical wall. If your loft simply isn’t fit for conversion, we would suggest other methods of increasing your property’s living space, such as a garden room or extension.
Whatever the obstacles you face, we will use our years of expertise to guide you through every step.
