What to Think About with a Loft Conversion

Summary

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"DO I need planning permission to put a dormer window on the front of my house?" a friend asked me recently. This made me think it would be a good idea to write a series of articles looking at the key design considerations for common small home improvement projects and whether or not they require planning permission and building regulations approval. So this week, and in answer to my good friend, I thought I should start with loft conversions. Access From a design perspective the first consideration if you are trying to make use of a loft is access. This could be anything from a stepladder to a staircase. If the loft is going to be used as a fully functional room rather than for storage or occasional use then a staircase is almost certainly going to be most appropriate. It is worth bearing in mind that staircases take up a surprising amount of space in a floor plan. Also think about how you want to enter the loft to achieve the best headroom, room layout and privacy.

Natural Light If the loft is going to be a usable space it will need to benefit from some natural light. The decision here normally comes down to a choice between 'Velux' style roof lights and dormer windows, although if your property has a gable end then a conventional window here might be a possibility.

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What to Think About with a Loft Conversion

There are a number of more creative options tha...

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