All You Ever Wanted to Know about a Dormer Loft Conversion
Dormer loft conversions are a great way of adding additional head height and plenty of natural light to a loft conversion. These are structural extensions which project outwards from a sloping roof and, because of their many benefits, dormers prove a very popular choice for loft conversions.
Dormer Loft Conversion FAQs
Will I need planning permission for a dormer loft conversion?
In many cases, a dormer loft conversion will fall under permitted development, which means that planning permission is often not required. However, as we’d advise with all loft conversions, you should check with your local planning authority whether planning permission is required before the build begins. The reason we advise checking with your local authority’s planning department is are certain conditions which mean you will require planning permission for a dormer loft conversion. These include, but are not limited to, instances where the volume of the dormer loft conversion exceeds permitted development, if the dormer window is to front a highway, if the height of the dormer window exceeds the existing height of the roof, or if the materials you’re planning on using are not in keeping with the rest of the property or the area, for example.
Will I need to follow building regulations?
Yes, all loft conversions, regardless of whether you include a dormer window or not, will need to follow Building Regulations. Your loft conversion will be visited by the building inspector at various points throughout the build, and signed off upon completion, should everything comply with health and safety and best practice.
Are all dormer windows the same?
There are several different types of dormer window. Here are the most common: Flat Roof Dormer: the most common type of dormer, which is box-shaped with a flat roof. Gabled Dormer: a dormer window with a pitched roof which slopes on both sides to give a chocolate box cottage feel. Hipped Dormer: similar to the gabled dormer, but with a hipped third slope at the front elevation of the window. Eyebrow Dormer: a slightly arched dormer which gently slopes out of the roof to give a soft, subtle window. Arched Dormer: a dormer window with an arched roof.
How much space can I gain from a dormer window in a loft conversion?
You’ll be pleasantly surprised by the amount of space a dormer loft conversion can create. A modern box dormer can add plenty of room to a loft conversion, not just in head height but in usable floor space too. It will also give you more options with the placement of the stairs. How much space you’ll gain will depend on the type of dormer you add, and the size of your existing loft, as this will determine how large you can go.
What other benefits does a dormer loft conversion offer?
There are plenty of pros to a dormer loft conversion. One of the biggest benefits is the natural light that they afford, as the large windows that can be installed instantly fill a loft conversion with natural light. Similarly, the windows will also give you extra ventilation in the summer months.
You’ll also be happily surprised by the variety of styles that a dormer loft conversion can offer you! Dormer windows don’t have to be the traditional boxy type if you don’t want them to be (although the traditional box type does offer many advantages). You can consider floor-to-ceiling windows, Juliet balconies or an angular gabled construction to add interest to the outside of your home. The sky really is the limit with a dormer loft conversion!