Design and build. One of the most straightforward routes to a new loft is to use a specialist company. An established firm will have plenty of experience, though you may be restricted to standard designs. Alternatively, a design studio or architectural practice can offer specific design advice to suit your family, planning a loft, additional storey or whole-house renovation. An architect can supply plans and you can find your own builder, preferably one recommended by neighbours who have had similar work done. Alternatively, an architect may also provide a full service, or you could ask a design-andbuild company to take on the entire project. A structural engineer is needed to carry out the calculations to ensure the walls and floor joists can take the extra load.
Structural issues. When converting a loft, building regulations usually requireadditional joists alongside the existing ones to take theextra load. A structural engineer will specify the sizes forthese and the rolled steel joists (RSJs), which spread theload and sometimes carry the new joists. When adding anadditional storey, the engineer’s calculations and adviceare vital for ensuring the foundations and walls can bearthe additional weight.‘When adding an extra storey to a bungalow in Kent,we built the second one in timber to lighten the load on thefoundations and keep the budget down,’ says Mark Lord,director of Lord Architecture (lordarchitecture.co.uk).‘Timber construction is often cheaper than masonry.
William Tozer Associatesbuilt this 40sqm pavilionon a former warehouse inShoreditch, east London. Itincludes a bedroom, livingspace and bathroom, andcost £380,000.
Practical pointers. Good head height, with ceilings of at least 2.2m, makes a loft feel spacious. But lower areas under the eaves can still be put to good use for storage or a bed. In some cases, the first-floor ceilings can be lowered to gain space, though this will add expense. If you’re planning a bathroom or shower room, bear in mind that the closer it is to the soil stack the better, otherwise you may need a pump system to take away waste water. The knock-on effect of a new loft is that a water tank may have to be shifted or a new boiler added to cope with extra demand. One of the prime considerations is finding space for the new staircase. Where possible, a new flight can be fitted above the existing stairs. The type of staircase permitted and its balustrade are strictly controlled by Building Regulations, though it’s sometimes possible to include a space-saving stair with alternating treads or a spiral staircase. Fire doors and a wired-in fire alarm are essentials.
A word on windows. Making the most of daylight and the views are among the benefits of adding a loft or extra storey. Depending on your budget, big rooflights are impressive and can be motorised with a sensor to close automatically if the weather turns. Opening windows must be more than 1.7m from the floor. If you are in a historic building, seek out conservation rooflights. ‘The size and position of new glazing in roofs or dormers will need to be co-ordinated with local planning policy or permitted development guidelines,’ says Ed Martin, director of Delve Architects .
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