Loft Conversion Before And After

A properly converted loft can add value to your home, an extra bedroom or even a playroom for the kids. It can’t be hard to imagine what your loft will look like converted.

We have outlined the most common loft conversion types in the UK to give you ideas for your own loft space.

Before & After Pictures For Ideas And Inspiration!

The main reason people in the UK convert a loft is for an additional bedroom, a study, games room or even a home cinema. You will see a number of before and after pictures of lofts that have been converted to a usable liveable area.

So take some inspiration from what other home owners have already done – then start planning your own conversion.

What are the options when it comes to loft conversions?

Internal Loft Conversions

Internal loft conversions are only available for houses that already have an attic space, which normally has a staircase leading to it. These lofts are the quickest and easiest lofts to convert.

Picture of internal loft conversion
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Picture of loft conversion afterwards
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If your loft space has easy access and is large enough to walk upright in, you may be able to have an internal loft conversion. We recommend organising a consultation visit from an expert first to make sure you are choosing the correct loft conversion.

You can use our free loft conversion quote service to request no obligation quotes.

Dormer Loft Conversions

Dormer loft conversions are one of the most popular loft conversions for turning a loft with sloping low ceilings into a usable room. The dormer loft conversion can turn a small loft into a multiple room loft – which can also have balcony access.

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Dormer style loft conversions are easily identifiable, they have a box shape room protruding out of a sloped roof.

Hip To Gable Loft Conversion

Also known as a gable conversion, a hip to loft conversion converts a sloping roof to a vertical wall. This can be used to effectively extend the rooms which already at the height of the loft. These conversions are a popular method to extend an end of terrace property.

Image of hip to gable end conversion
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Image of hip to gable end conversion
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Loft Conversion In A Bungalow

Converting the loft in a bungalow can almost double the amount of usable space in the property. The most popular method is to use a hip to gable conversion to change the slopped roof into a vertical wall.

Space can further be increased by incorporating dormer conversion as well as a hip to gable conversion. These two styles of conversion combined, will maximize the potential space in the property.

Low Ceiling Height Loft Conversions

If you want to keep costs down and don’t want the construction costs of a dormer or hip to gable conversion, you can still have an amazing loft space to enjoy.

Popular as a DIY project , low ceiling height loft conversions can be a great play area for small children.

Low ceiling height loft conversion picture
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Low ceiling height loft conversion picture
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Home Cinema Loft Conversion Before & After

A popular choice for loft conversions is to create a home cinema or games room. This is a hugely popular DIY project amongst audio and visual enthusiasts. A cinema or games room in the loft can add a touch of luxury to any property and has a wow factor to impress your guests.

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AfterImage Source

Loft Conversions That Add Multiple Rooms

Adding multiple rooms to your loft usually requires a combination of hip to gable and dormer conversions.

By adding multiple rooms to your property, it can increase the resale value and also allows you to maximize the use of your properties space.

It is also common to have additional bathrooms fitted in a multi-room loft conversion.

The Benefits Of A Loft Conversion

Converting your loft space from unused space or an area simply used for storage, to a usable room has lots of benefits.

Some of these benefits include:

  • More living space
  • Adds value to your property
  • Loft rooms add unique viewpoints to your house

How much does it cost to convert a loft space?

There are two options when it comes to converting a loft space – do it yourself (DIY) or use a professional loft conversion company.

If you choose to go the DIY route, the cost of materials for a small loft space is around £10k. For a professional loft conversion company to complete the work on a small loft area, this is likely to start at around £15k.

However, as mentioned above, there are different loft (or attic) spaces. Each type of loft conversion has its own costs, with hip to gable and dormer conversions tending to be the most expensive option.

Most loft conversion companies will offer a free loft conversion quotation. This is useful, as they will often send out a surveyor to your home first. The surveyor will assess which type of loft conversion would be best for both your roof type and your individual requirements.

Find Loft Conversion Specialists Near You

Save money by comparing free no obligation quotes for your conversion

What planning permission is needed for a new loft conversion?

Most loft conversions fall under permitted development. Permitted development means that you do not need planning permission to carry out the work.

The type of loft conversions mentioned in this article should not require any planning permission, but it is best to speak with a surveyor or your local planning office first. Interior loft, dormer and hip to gable usually do not require planning permission.

The new loft project should not require planning permission if it meets the following requirements:

  • The area of all the combined loft conversions (past and present) must not exceed 40 cubic meters or more for terraced houses. For detached and semi-detached properties, this limit is 50 cubic meters of the total old and new loft conversion space

  • The new loft conversion cannot extend past the highest part of the pre-existing roof

  • Any side-facing windows must be 1.7m above the ground and frosted glazed

  • The new loft area is made using the same materials as the rest of the property

  • If the new loft extension extends the roof, this new roof extension must not exceed 20cm past the original eves of the property. Please note this excludes hip to gable conversions

  • The new loft space does not include any verandas or balconies

  • Any roof extensions must not overhang the outer wall of the original house

  • The new loft will not extend beyond the front wall of the property

Who should I hire for a loft conversion?

Choosing the right loft conversion specialist is the first step to turning your loft space into a usable area. We have outlined a few questions to help you find the best company for your loft conversion space:

What to look for when hiring a loft conversion company:

  • Do they have a portfolio of previous work that you can view?
  • Do you know of anyone who has used the company before, can you ask them what their experience was?
  • Is the company a member of any building associations?

Questions to ask about your loft during the consultation:

  • Which loft conversion would be best for your property, dormer, hip to gable or internal loft?
  • What insulation will be used in the conversion?
  • How long will the process take?
  • Have they worked on properties like yours before?

A Final Word About Loft Conversions

If you are considering converting your loft or attic, look at the other houses in your street or near you. If they have conversions that you can see from the street, then it’s likely you can have a similar style conversions.

Ring the doorbell and ask your neighbours who they used to undertake the project (if it was not a DIY conversion) and ask them if they would recommend using the company or not, they might also share the cost of the loft conversion and offer to show you the final result.

This will allow you to get an idea of what the loft conversion looked like before and after.

We have also put together a free guide on How Much Does A Loft Conversion Cost? in case you wish further information.

Banner image credit: House vector created by vectorpocket – www.freepik.com

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