Follow our great ideas for converting loft spaces over the coming weeks.
6. Sound proof it - Accoustic seperation is critical. There is a minimum soundproofing requirement, but this is inaqequate where the use of the attic room is likely to be noisy, such as a playroom. If the floor is to have a hard surface, such as a wooden floor, an acoustic floor is essential. Sound can travel between attic rooms and the floor below by two means; airbourne and impact transfer.
The first can be reduced by making sure the structure is air tight, taping insulation materials together, and using sealant around the floor edges etc. The voids between the floor joists can be filled with high-density acoustic insulation, atthough this cannot be used around recessed spotlights. Using high-density fibre reinforced plasterboard (e.g Fernacell) can also reduce sound transfer.
Impact transfer can be reduced by using caulking to seperate the structural floor joists from the wooden floorboards and ensuring there are no fixings - screws or nails - between the flooring and the joists.
Friday, 27 July 2012
Friday, 20 July 2012
Loft Conversions 20 Great Ideas
Follow our great ideas for converting loft spaces over the coming weeks.
5. Juliet Balcony - Where it is not possible to add a roof terrace or balcony that you can step out onto, the solution is to add a balustrade just beyond the doors (which are designed to open inwards). On a traditional building this is often in black painted wrought iron, but of a more contemporary building a glass balustrade is discreet and simple.
5. Juliet Balcony - Where it is not possible to add a roof terrace or balcony that you can step out onto, the solution is to add a balustrade just beyond the doors (which are designed to open inwards). On a traditional building this is often in black painted wrought iron, but of a more contemporary building a glass balustrade is discreet and simple.
Friday, 13 July 2012
Loft Conversions 20 Great Ideas
4. Install a space saving staircase - the ideal position for the staircase in a two storey house is directly about the staircase below, running in the same direction. Where there is insufficient headroom - minimum 1.9m at the centre and 1.8m at the string - a carefully positioned dormer window or rooflight can make all the difference. However, where this is not possible or practical, the most space-efficient staircase configuration should be found.
The maximum pitch under Building Regulations is 42 and although there is no minimum width for a staircase, less than 600mm is unlikely to prove practical. Landings to change direction take up space, but these can be avoided by using winders and kites (triangular treads) so that stairs can turn up at the same time as rising; a spiral staircase is made up entirely of winders. For a single-room loft conversion the Building Regulations will accept a space-saver staircase, which has alternating treads.
The maximum pitch under Building Regulations is 42 and although there is no minimum width for a staircase, less than 600mm is unlikely to prove practical. Landings to change direction take up space, but these can be avoided by using winders and kites (triangular treads) so that stairs can turn up at the same time as rising; a spiral staircase is made up entirely of winders. For a single-room loft conversion the Building Regulations will accept a space-saver staircase, which has alternating treads.
Friday, 6 July 2012
Windsor Castle Triathlon
Friday, 29 June 2012
Loft Conversions 20 Great Ideas
Follow our great ideas for converting loft spaces over the coming weeks.
3. Go hip to gable
Where the roof of a property is hipped, e.g sloping on all four sides (three on a semi detached house), there may not be sufficient roof volume with full headroom to make a conversion viable. However, the roof can be altered from a hip to gable on one or both sides, forming a gable pitched roof with headroom along the full length of the roof.
A hip to gable conversion may not require planning permission providing the design complies with the criteria for Permitted Development (PD). This allows an increase of 50m to the house (40m on a terraced house), providing no part of the roof is higher than the original.
It is always worth checking with the local authority as to whether or not planning permission is required. It may be possible to undertake work using PD rights that would not comply with local planning policy were permission required.
3. Go hip to gable
Where the roof of a property is hipped, e.g sloping on all four sides (three on a semi detached house), there may not be sufficient roof volume with full headroom to make a conversion viable. However, the roof can be altered from a hip to gable on one or both sides, forming a gable pitched roof with headroom along the full length of the roof.
A hip to gable conversion may not require planning permission providing the design complies with the criteria for Permitted Development (PD). This allows an increase of 50m to the house (40m on a terraced house), providing no part of the roof is higher than the original.
It is always worth checking with the local authority as to whether or not planning permission is required. It may be possible to undertake work using PD rights that would not comply with local planning policy were permission required.
Friday, 22 June 2012
Loft Conversions 20 great ideas
2. Add Glazing to Gable Walls - the opportunity to introduce windows in gable walls is often overlooked when designing a loft conversion, yet it is a great way to introduce light. As with any window the cill must be 800mm above floor level.
A Gable window can be expanded so that the whole triangular gable wall is glazed, with a structural frame of timber and steel reinforcement where necessary. This can really add the wow factor to a loft room.
Glazing a gable wall is unlikely to be an issue oin forward or rear facing gable and may be classed as Permitted Developement.
New windows in a side elevation will always need planning permission unless they are obscure glazed with any opening part at least 1.7m above floor level.
A Gable window can be expanded so that the whole triangular gable wall is glazed, with a structural frame of timber and steel reinforcement where necessary. This can really add the wow factor to a loft room.
Glazing a gable wall is unlikely to be an issue oin forward or rear facing gable and may be classed as Permitted Developement.
New windows in a side elevation will always need planning permission unless they are obscure glazed with any opening part at least 1.7m above floor level.
Friday, 15 June 2012
Loft Conversions 20 great ideas
Follow our great ideas for converting loft spaces over the coming weeks.
1. Think ahead
Designing a roof with future conversion in mind will allow for the expansion of living space should demand arise. Specifying either a cut roof or attic trusses will add £1,500 - £2,000 to the average build cost but hugely simplify the conversion process. In addition, including a plumbing and heating manifold in the roof space, siting soil vent (SVP) pipes where they might be needed, and allowing space on the consumer unit for power, lighting and other circuits, will bring down the cost of a conversion. Finally, opt for a 'warm roof' design and consider the addition of a full staircase.
1. Think ahead
Designing a roof with future conversion in mind will allow for the expansion of living space should demand arise. Specifying either a cut roof or attic trusses will add £1,500 - £2,000 to the average build cost but hugely simplify the conversion process. In addition, including a plumbing and heating manifold in the roof space, siting soil vent (SVP) pipes where they might be needed, and allowing space on the consumer unit for power, lighting and other circuits, will bring down the cost of a conversion. Finally, opt for a 'warm roof' design and consider the addition of a full staircase.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)