Thinking about a loft conversion?

Helping you plan for a loft conversion - different types, costs, and how D84 can help.

• Blog

Are you thinking of converting your loft? We’ve helped many clients create game-changing extra spaces in their homes by creating new areas in the roof. We’re usually asked to help create an additional bedroom, often with an ensuite bathroom, and we also have lots of clients who want to convert their loft spaces for use as home offices. We bring innovative ideas to every loft conversion project, helping to create spaces that are unique and personalised to our clients’ tastes, and suggesting creative solutions for storage.

If you’re considering a loft conversion, there are some critical questions to consider in terms of the space you will need to make it the new room you want. Perhaps the most important consideration relates to available height. This is because:

• During the conversion process your loft floor will get thicker and your roof rafters deeper.
• Insulation in a flat roof dormer also has a minimum depth due to regulations and this dimension has been increasing in recent years to help keep homes warm.
• Rules for staircases require minimum head heights.
• You will not want a ceiling height below 2m if the space is not to feel too cramped.

When considered together, an existing dimension from the ridge beam to the existing loft joist of 2.3m can be workable, anything much less than this unfortunately rules this option out unless you are able to lower the ceiling in the room below.

Types of loft conversion

The hip to gable loft conversion:

These are considered one of the best loft extensions for those living in detached, semi-detached or end-of-terrace homes. It involves extending the sloping side of the roof outward to create more space and headroom. This type of conversion can increase your floor space by at least 20m² and add to the value of your property by 10-20%.

Dormer loft conversions: 

If you’re looking for extra room without extending your property’s footprint, a dormer loft conversion – where a window projects vertically from a sloping roof – offers a practical, cost-effective solution. This is one of the most popular options create extra space and headroom. There are generally four types:

• Flat roof dormer: These have a flat roof and can extend the entire width of the house if desired.
• Side dormer: Built into the side-facing slope of a roof. These can add space to a property where the roof ridge runs from the front to the back of the home.
• Front-pitched dormer: Topped with a pitched or gable roof.
• L-shaped dormer: This features two dormers that are connected to one another to form an L-shape – and lots of extra space internally.

Rooflight loft conversions:

Also referred to as Velux loft conversions. These are one of the simplest, and cheapest when it comes to loft conversion costs, as they require the least amount of work when extending upwards. It involves the installation of roof windows (Velux windows), which don’t require major structural changes to the roof. Unlike Dormer conversions, a rooflight design does not extend the roof structure or increase the overall volume of your home. This makes it ideal for properties that already have enough headroom and where planning restrictions prevent major external changes.

A quick guide to costs

A loft conversion can add up to 20% to the value of your home and provide invaluable extra living space without the stress of moving. But what will all this cost? We find the average cost of a loft conversion for a 30m² space can range from £27,500 to £75,000+.  For example, a hip to gable conversion costs between £45,000 and £50,000 for a standard 2-to-3-bedroom home.  The cost will depend on the type you choose and the complexity of the conversion.

What to do next?

If you have ideas about a loft conversion but aren’t sure what will work, we’ll be able to advise you in more detail on the basis of a free initial consultation call and seeing some photographs.

If you decide to use our services, our design process will involve a measured survey, an option design phase (where your ideal layout takes shape in close consultation with you), and then a detailed construction design from which your contractor can build.

D84 can guide you through this process with a clear timetable and fixed lump sum costs for each stage provided at the outset.

Call us or use our Contact form if you’d like to explore adding extra space to your home though a loft conversion.

See some more of our projects here:  Loft Conversions | Converting your loft space | Architect Hampshire

 

Posted on 1^st November, 2025