How Loft Conversions Are Designed

All the parts explained ...

1 - Staircase

In all cases, we strive to design the staircase to maximize the remaining space.

We'll explore several configurations to determine the one that works best, both for the first floor and the loft space.

2 - Landing and door

At the top of the staircase, you need a landing, the length of which must be no less than the width of the staircase, and the door will open into the room.

3 - Window to the Stairwell and Landing

If you're greeted by wonderful views as you ascend the staircase, you might opt for a full-height window, positioned directly opposite the staircase. Alternatively, offset the window to both the landing and the stairwell.

4 - Main Window or French doors

The main window to the loft space can be standard windows, French doors, or even a full-height window, positioned to the main space within or aligned with the window on the first floor below for aesthetic reasons.

5 - Alcove at the dormer face

A construction matter - parapets on the roof and the height of your neighbours’ roofs will determine the depth of the alcove or none at all.

6 - Insulating the Chimney-Partywall

A regulations matter - your chimney wall need for insulation depends on whether your neighbors have also converted their lofts. If they have then you won’t need insulation and you gain a bit of extra space.

7 - Alcove between the chimneys

The same applies to the alcove between the chimneys. If the chimneys are in poor condition and lack insulation, there might not be much usable space between them, in which case {{Contractor?}} will build straight across for a cleaner look. However, if the room is narrow, you might decide to retain the alcove.

8 - Bed position

When positioning the bed, several factors are considered, including the width, the length, and whether the alcove between the chimneys is usable. Moving to the front of the house, we design the dwarf wall, which goes from the floor to the sloping ceiling, to be typically 1.4 meters high.

9 - Mainroom Ceiling height

We aim for 2.4m headheight but the reality of your flatroof construction will ultimately decide the headheight.

10 - Sloping ceiling below 1.8m

The ensuite will normally be as wide as the stairwell plus landing, with a bit off The ensuite will normally be as wide as the stairwell plus landing, with a bit off 

11 - Mainroom Dwarf wall

This height can be adjusted. Unless you’re setting the bed against it, you may opt for a smaller dwarf wall to expand the area towards the front of the house.

12 - Eaves access

Depending on the width of your house, {{Contractor?}} will usually install two eaves accesses, but if your house is narrow, one may suffice. The positioning of these accesses depends on how you wish to use the space, and the placement of Velux roof lights to the main space also varies accordingly.

13 - Veluxes to the mainroom

Again, the choice of styles and the vertical positioning of Velux roof lights depend on your preferences for views to the front of the house and how they fit within the sloping ceiling. Usually, space constraints limit the size of these windows, but we'll do our best to design accordingly.

14 - Ensuite door

The door to the ensuite usually swings inwards to avoid contain condensation, but if space is limited we can install a sliding pocket door. Please note this comes at extra cost and placement is restricted.

15 - Ensuite size

The ensuite will normally be as wide as the stairwell plus landing, around 165cm. A fitted bath requires a length of 1.7m so the Ensuite can be widened if wanted.

16 - Ensuite dwarf wall

Typically this is 1.4m high to accommodate the fittings and placement of the WC.

17 - WC position

The toilet is best located against this wall, and 

18 - Velux over the WC

We position the rooflight over the WC to provide additional head height.

19 - Basin and Radiator positions

The basin positioned on the partywall allows a mirror above it. Where space allows, we position the radiator closest to where you need it most - the shower and basin. Otherwise it can be anywhere to warm the room.

20 - Insulating the Stairside-Partywall

As with construction on the chimney wall, insulation is necessary depending on whether your stairside-neighbour already has a loft conversion.

21 - Shower size and position

A full-height zone within the room is required for the shower, hence the back corner away from the sloping ceiling. The size and orientation of the shower tray is restricted by the sloping ceiling and other factors.

22 - Wardrobe space

The wardrobe space, located between the ensuite and the landing, is left empty as standard, but fitted wardrobes can be discussed with {{Contractor}}.

23 - Wardrobe doors

Where there’s a wardrobe we give two doors, hinged and swinging.  If space is limited, such as close to the foot of the bed, sliding doors can be fitted instead.

24 - Floating wall

If your property is long, you may have space to separate the front from the main bedroom to serve as a Dressing Area or an Study. It can be anything up to 1.8 meters high but does obstruct light from the front Veluxes to the main room.

25 - Dressing area or other

In the dressing area, either built-in drawers against the dwarf wall, or a wardrobe against the floating wall, or both. A gap will be needed for access between them, so depending on the space available it could just be one or the other.