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Loft Conversions in Gloucester, Cheltenham & Gloucestershire

Looking for a loft conversion in Gloucester, Cheltenham, Stroud, or anywhere else in Gloucestershire? CK Architectural can help

A loft conversion in Gloucester or Cheltenham can offer an incredible new practical and efficient space at home without the hassle that can come with an extension. By utilising space that you already have in a secluded area of home, you’re able to create a new haven of space in what becomes practically a new floor of your home, and there’s no need to sacrifice outdoor space either. At lower costs than other renovations, quicker build times and generally more practical projects, they truly have a lot to offer any home.

The CK Architectural team are experts in loft conversion and loft extension designs in Gloucestershire, with decades of experience in making them work perfectly no matter what the space you’re working with. We’ll give you completely free advice and quotes for the project you have in mind for working at any stage of your conversion, from initial concept designs through to planning if required, building control, and can offer project management services too.

We provide comprehensive advice before any commitment

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Considerations for Loft Conversions

The two most common factors to consider when thinking about the design for your loft are the available height after conversion, and the impact of the stairs on the existing and first floor. Building regulations will require the there is a minimum of 1.9M over the existing and proposed flight to prevent collision. New staircases will use up around 2.5Msq of floor area, so you will need to decide what you can trade off for the new room. We will demonstrate various ways to get the stairs in legally allowing you the choice, quite often what works on one floor doesn’t work on the other.

When it comes to height, we recommend a minimum of 2.4M from the top of the ceiling joist to underside of the rafter apex. The angle of the roof makes it difficult to see exactly where you can stand and land the stairs, but we’ll help you consider this too. That’s as well as other features that may be essential, like bathrooms and en-suites that will need careful design, connection to the drains and being able to stand. The building and roof structure need to be considered, and often an engineer will need to design and calculate changes to the timbers and increase in loads to the walls.

Designing a Loft Conversion in Gloucestershire

After the essential structure design has been worked out, we will know the exact heights, angles, and position for stairs. This is where the design can start, we can talk you through different layout ends, and how much head height each area will have. We can explore other structural changes that could increase the height and unlock further usable spaces too.

Diminishing headroom is a popular choice for many people utilising hip to gable or roof light loft conversions in Gloucestershire, but this is another dependent of what you want to use the room for. Dormers unlock even more design options, as you have their external design to consider too when we’re working alongside you, presenting you with multiple options.

With larger budgets, we can look at recessed balconies, doors and beautiful king post trusses, but it all depends on the design ideas you want to bring to life.

We update you every step of the way through the entire project

Planning permission

Another great thing loft conversions have to offer is that typically, they fall under permitted development rather than planning permission requirements. You can add up to 40 cubic meters on terraced houses or 50 cubic meter s to semis detached and detached house.

Don’t worry if you do need planning permission, though. With careful and considered design, we can make it work with the character and style of the house giving you more chance of success.

Even if it is permitted development, we would advise you to get it in writing with a certificate of lawful development. We can apply for you to make sure and keep the property documents up to date, or advise on how to do this yourself.

Planning permission guide

Loft conversion permitted development rules

1. No extension beyond the plane of the existing roof slope of the principal elevation that fronts the highway.

2. No extension to be higher than the highest part of the roof and similar materials.

3. No verandas, balconies or raised platforms.

4. Side-facing windows to be obscure-glazed; any opening to be 1.7m above the floor.

5. Roof extensions, apart from hip to gable ones, to be set back at least 20cm from the original eaves.

6. The roof enlargement cannot overhang the outer face of the wall of the original house.

7. Roof extensions not to be permitted development in designated areas such as AONB (area of outstanding natural beauty), conservation areas, listed building etc.

Building regulations

When making changes to your roof structure, building regulations are essential to a safe build and making sure you’re project is legal and your home insurance is valid, and you’ll be issue-free when it comes to selling. The CK team can help you with your design calculations, working with all relevant bodies involved and making sure you have the green light to move forward without any issues.

The general basis for loft conversions in Gloucestershire is that they follow the following:

  • Structure, the new floor joists and roof will need to be supported; this is generally done via steel beams designed by an engineer.
  • A protected fire route must be provided, this is 30 minutes all the way down to the final exit, existing doors will need upgrading to fire doors.
  • Detection and sounded alarms will be required and need to be interlinked.
  • The stairs will need sufficient headroom 2.0M and not be too steep (under 42 degrees).
  • Reasonable sound insulation between the conversion and the rooms below

All the designs we present to you will be with the intention of passing building regulations and construct able. Take a look at our Building Regulations Guide.

Building regulations guide

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