Loft Conversions for Difficult Roof Constructions

Velux roof light
Even loft spaces that present construction challenges can become useful spaces. Image: Velux (Image credit: Velux)

You don’t need to be a genius to realise that some types of roof are not ideally suited for conversion into living space. In fact, a surprisingly large number of properties have ‘the wrong sort of loft’ for one reason or another.

Of these, probably the most challenging are buildings with shallow pitched roofs, because standard space-making solutions such as adding huge box dormers won’t compensate for a chronic lack of headroom. Even where a loft appears reasonably spacious prior to conversion, the available headroom will normally have shrunk by at least 300mm by the time you’ve added a new floor structure and insulated the rafters too.

Ian Rock

Chartered surveyor Ian Rock MRICS is a director is Rightsurvey.co.uk and the author of eight popular Haynes House Manuals, including the Home Extension Manual, the Self Build Manual and Period Property Manual.

Ian is also the founder of Zennor Consultants. In addition to providing house surveys, Zennor Consultants provide professional guidance on property refurbishment and maintenance as well as advising on the design and construction of home extensions and loft conversions, including planning and Building Regulations compliance.

Ian has recently added a 100m2 extension to his home; he designed and project managed the build and completed much of the interior fit-out on a DIY basis.