At National Roofing, our team of loft conversion specialists offers a full service from the removal of old materials to the installation of the new. We can help with all aspects of the conversion process ranging from planning consent, if it is needed, to painting and decorating. Our team will manage all related internal works, including your carpentry, joinery, electrical, plumbing, heating and fire safety insulation needs.
We also offer both permanent and moveable stair options. Our work has a quick turnaround time and will have minimal impact on your daily life. Our knowledge of the building and construction sector offers us a unique insight into house types and which loft conversions are best for each.
National Roofing’s loft conversion specialists will design your space to maximise the amount of natural light using rooflights where applicable. We work closely with our clients throughout the entire project to create their dream space. We can include a full roof replacement on loft conversions if needed, and our team can even keep an ‘eaves storage’ space within your conversion which is easily accessible, well lit and fully boarded.
We offer a range of different types of loft conversions, depending on the characteristics of your building and your particular requirements. Please see below for an outline description of each one:
The dormer design is the most popular style that our loft conversion specialists install. As a box- shaped structure built into a pitched roof, the dormer creates more headspace and extends the floorspace. Usually installed on the side or rear end of the roof, this style allows for the option of a Juliet balcony. Unlike Mansard loft conversions, most dormer styles won’t require planning permission.
With this style of loft conversion, you may not need planning permission as it is likely to be a permitted development too. Although similar to a dormer style conversion, a hip-to-gable seamlessly blends into the original structure of your home with maximum headspace. This installation is perfect for both semi-detached and fully detached properties.
A Side Dormer is the same shape as a Rear Dormer but is situated on the side of the property. If your house is detached, you may have the option of having two side dormers. Side Dormers usually have flat roofs but, dependent on the local planning policies, may have pitched or crown roofs.
A Rear Dormer loft conversion is an extension to the existing roof creating additional floor space and head height. A Rear Dormer has square, vertical sides and most commonly a flat roof. Dependent on the size and type of the property and the planning constraints attached to it, a Rear Dormer can either be built stepped in from each side by approximately 300mm or built to the full width of the building.
A Piggyback loft conversion is formed by raising the existing perimeter walls in brickwork and pitching a new roof, which is stepped back from the front elevation of the property. By raising the brickwork and pitching a new roof a vast amount of head height is gained, as well as more living space. Typically, these kind of loft conversions can facilitate two bedrooms and a bathroom.
We would recommend a Mansard loft conversion if you are looking to expand the rear of your home. This installation will maximise your loft space by pitching the roof at a 72-degree angle. This allows you to increase your attic space by up to 70%. In effect, this style of conversion adds an additional storey to your property, which explains why it is the most complex of the three designs we have available.
Although this installation may require planning permission, our combined building, construction and roofing company can help you with consent by dealing with local authority departments in your area, on your behalf.
An L-Shape Dormer is of similar construction to a Rear Dormer with an additional back addition outrigger at the rear of the property. This usually extends over an existing first floor bathroom or bedroom. This type of loft conversion is not possible on all types of properties but is commonly found on those of the Victorian and Edwardian era. The back addition outrigger adds a vast amount of living space to the loft conversion with either the same head height as the main dormer or a slightly reduced head height due to local planning policies.
Velux loft conversions tend to be the most affordable, as they do not require roof or house alterations and planning permission is not usually required. In this type of conversion, Velux windows are added to increase the amount of natural light and brighten the loft area.
The aim of this conversion is to design a liveable space in your loft area which seems brighter and visually larger, making the most of the existing headroom. It is the easiest and cheapest option if you want to convert your loft into a liveable space, but there needs to be enough existing head height for this to be viable. Velux loft conversions are suitable for many types of property and, as the work can be completed quickly, it minimises the inconvenience of works taking place at your home.
Avoid Moving Costs
Moving house is not just time consuming but can also become costly, if you’re looking to move house due to lack of space a loft conversion could be a cost effective option for you. You will avoid costs usually associated with moving house, such as: Stamp duty, solicitor fees, removal costs, higher mortgage and valuation fees.
Increase your House Value
A loft conversion will add a considerable amount of space to your property, therefore increasing its overall value. By adding an extra bedroom and bathroom to your house, it becomes more desirable and opens it up to a larger buying market.
Create Additional Space
The main benefit of having a loft conversion is the additional living space it creates without the need to move house. The space can be used for whatever you want depending on the space available, so if your family is growing and you’re in need of that extra bedroom or bathroom, a loft conversion could be the most cost effective and time saving option available to you.
Maximise Energy Efficiency
You may imagine that by opening up your roof space your home would become less energy efficient, however the opposite of this is true. By making the loft space liveable, you will be adding reflective insulation to your new roof area, which means it helps keep the heat in during winter months and reflects the direct heat out during the summer months. Some clients find that due to the heat rising from the rest of the house and being properly contained in the loft area, the radiators rarely need to go on.
A lot of people think that you need an extra large loft with lots of space to have a loft conversion however this is a myth. 90% of conventional lofts can be converted into fantastic space to add value to your home.
This depends on the size of your property and the complexity of the design, but we can typically finish a job in 9-12 weeks for most standard properties
We do everything that we can to ensure that the work does not impact your day to day life too much. However, considering it is such a large piece of work, it is likely to have some impact impact.
Almost any loft can be converted, but not always. There are some cases where a loft may need major work before it can be converted, usually if it contains vital water tanks and chimney stacks that have to be moved or removed. We can inspect your loft to figure out how suitable it might be for a conversion project, taking into account details like the floor structure, head height and vertical wall strength. If you’re in a listed building, an area of outstanding natural beauty or a conservation area, then you may not be able to make major changes easily.
Loft conversion projects tend to add at least 20% additional value to a house’s total worth, although this varies heavily based on the type of conversion done.
We are lucky that our many happy clients are thrilled to show people around their new space. We will always try to arrange a visit to a home with a similar loft conversion to that of your requirements. Our gallery also shows a variety of our complete loft conversions.
Yes, all National Roofing Loft Conversions, upon completion, come with our 10-year guarantee for peace of mind with the Building Control, electrical/gas certificates (if required).
