Planning your loft conversion

Any loft conversion should be treated as major work in your home. So, unless you are simply modernising an existing conversion, you'll need to use a local builder or contractor as well as an architect or designer who will check the feasibility and structural requirements necessary for the conversion. You will not always require planning permission to convert your loft, but you will need to comply with the Statutory Building Regulations/Standards and will require approval from the local Building Control Department.

Adding or changing windows may well require planning permission.

The TRADA/VELUX 'Loft Conversion Guide' is available for contractors or designers. Contact VELUX www.velux.com

The Loft Shop 'Guide to Building Regulations & Loft Conversions' is available for DIY or self-build.
Contact The Loft Shop www.loftshop.co.uk

Structural members for floors and walls

The correct structural members (beams and joists) are a crucial element of any loft conversion. If you are working on an existing loft conversion that has already been boarded for extra storage space, you may find that the flooring has been placed on the existing ceiling joists, which may not be adequate for the support of additional furniture etc.

New beams, joists or other structural members can be selected from a variety of materials e.g. stress-graded timber, or from structural timber composites such as wooden 'I-beams', Glulam beams or plywood box sections.

Structural timber composites are stronger and lighter over longer lengths, with less natural movement. They also allow space for services such as water or central heating pipes, and electrical cables to run easily along the recessed section of the I-beam.

For more information on I-beams, the modern answer to replacing joists and beams: www.finnforest.co.uk
or James Jones www.jji-joists.co.uk

Wood panelling

Additional walls and dividing walls may also be required in the new loft space. These too can be made of wood studding, finished with tongued and grooved panelling. This is available in a variety of patterns either unfinished or pre-finished with a sealed lacquer. On stud walls and unplastered ceilings, the panelling can be nailed direct to the studs or joists. Otherwise, 22 x 38mm sawn battens provide an easy surface on which to nail the panelling and also form a flat base.

Pack out any substantial irregularities under the battens. Use 'secret nailing': drive the nails diagonally through the tongue of each board. Only the first and last boards require nailing through the face. Punch these home and fill with wood filler. Don't forget to allow an expansion gap around the perimeter of the panelling, particularly across the width of the boards.

Use skirting boards and moulded trims to hide these gaps. Sound insulation should also be considered between walls and floors in order to prevent noise transmission between floors or to an adjoining neighbour's house.

Staircases

Access to loft conversions classed as 'habitable rooms' should be by a permanent staircase in order to provide adequate access and escape. Loft ladders may only be used where the loft space is used for storage purposes.
 
There are a variety of staircase configurations that can be used such as 'straight flights', 'winder' or spiral staircases.

For more information on staircases www.jeld-wen.co.uk

Doors

There are special requirements relating to doors and stairways for loft conversions.

New stairs providing access to the loft should be separated from any new rooms by a fire door and any new doors fitted in loft conversions that are habitable must also be of a minimum fire resistance of 20 minutes.

Stairs rising from an existing room must also be separated from the rest of the house by a fire door. All other existing doors opening on to a stair enclosure must be fitted with self-closing devices.

Fire Doors, including any doors with vision panels or glazing apertures, frames and fire door ironmongery & accessories must be compatible and should be certificated to BS 476 Part 22.

Doors should carry identification such as a label or small plug, which demonstrates that the door has been tested to meet this requirement.

Details of fire door requirements, manufacturers and suppliers of fire doors and fire door frames are availablefrom the British Woodworking Federation www.bwf.org.uk

Fire door regulations relating to loft conversions

Details on the requirement for fire doors in houses with loft conversions can be downloaded from the UK Government Planning Portal.

There are a number of changes which came into effect for all dwellings in April 2007, the most significant of which requires the use of fire doors on ALL doors which lead to the protected stairway or stairwell.
This means that all doors which lead from a habitable room onto the stairs (bedroom, lounge, dining room, kitchen etc.) MUST be fire doors. None of these doors need to be fitted with an automatic door closer.

Information on the use of fire doors in new and existing houses can be found here.
http://www.planningportal.gov.uk/england/professionals/en/1115314683674.html

Other advice on fire doors in the home.

1. All doors should have the appropriate test evidence. Testing should be to BS 476 : Pt 22 : 1987 or should be classified in accordance with BS EN 13501-2 : 2003
2. Any test evidence used to substantiate the fire resistance rating should be carefully checked to ensure that it adequately demonstrates compliance and is applicable to the complete installed assembly
   Any alterations may significantly affect the rating.
3. Only use 3rd party accredited fire doors and the correct compatible components, including fire door frames
   Look for a label stating the certificate and test details.
4. Doors serving an attached or integral garage must be fire rated and be fitted with a self-closing device.

Windows, roof windows and dormers

If you have an existing loft conversion, you could find your current roof windows are inadequate for your new loft space and additional windows are required or existing ones need to be replaced.

You could wish to add a dormer window to the roof to create additional space to the loft. In either case, this should be considered as a specialist job and the services of a contractor are recommended.

Additional planning permission may be required if you are to add windows to the loft and you should consult your local planning department. Roof windows and windows for dormers can be obtained from your local builders' merchant.

Additional planning permission may be required if you are to add windows to the loft and you should consult your local planning department.

Roof windows and windows for dormers can be obtained from your local builders' merchant.

For more information on loft windows, consult your Velux publication, or contact VELUX www.velux.com or Jeld-Wen UK Ltd www.jeld-wen.co.uk