Dormers

Expert Dormer Conversions by LC Joinery Scotland

A dormer conversion fully transforms your loft space into an additional floor, providing a cost-effective way to expand your home without the stress and expense of moving. With a dormer extension, you can enjoy increased living space, enhanced property value, and the convenience of staying in your current location.

Benefits of Dormer Conversions

A dormer conversion creates a gable roof, typically V-shaped, tiled or slated to match your existing roof. Unlike a Velux window conversion, a dormer extension maximizes space by constructing vertical walls and level ceilings. This method not only adds vertical space but also increases horizontal space, making it a highly efficient way to expand your home.

Cost-Effective and Convenient

Converting your loft with a dormer extension is a cost-effective alternative to moving. It saves you from solicitor fees, removal costs, and estate agent commissions. Additionally, it allows you to avoid the disruption of relocating, especially if your children are settled in a local school. Furthermore, a loft extension often increases your home’s value, making it a worthwhile investment.

Versatile Use of Space

Although the term "dormer" comes from the French word "dormoir" (meaning bedroom), your dormer extension can serve various purposes. It can be used for bedrooms with en-suite facilities, a large study, a teenager’s den, or even a main living space if you have a great view.

Planning Permission and Building Warrant

Planning permission is not always required for a dormer conversion, particularly if it's at the rear of the property. According to Scottish and Local Government rules, conversions that meet certain criteria fall under “permitted development.” However, you will need a Building Warrant from your local council’s Building Standards department, which details all technical specifications of the loft conversion.

LC Joinery Scotland can handle the entire process for you, liaising with architects and the council to ensure everything is in order. The criteria for permitted development include:

The conversion is not on the front or side of the house facing a road.
The distance between the dormers and the boundary of your curtilage is more than 10 meters.
The development is not higher than the existing roofline (excluding chimneys).
All dormers combined cover less than half the width of the roof.
The distance between dormers and any edge of the roof is at least 30 centimeters.
The property is not within a conservation area.