Loft Conversions
Loft Conversions by LC Joinery Scotland in Fife, Edinburgh, and Perth Areas
Don’t move out, move up! If you love where you live but need more space, a loft conversion is a popular and effective way to convert unused attic space into an extra room or rooms. It is often more affordable than buying a larger property, and you avoid all the fees associated with moving house, such as estate agents, solicitors, and removal firms. Additionally, a loft extension will very often increase the value of your home, making it a sound investment.
Maximizing Space with Dormer Extensions
To gain maximum benefit, a dormer extension delivers the most extra room. Building a dormer maximizes your floor space and allows you to construct vertical walls and level ceilings. This also allows you to fit windows and compensates for lost floor space where your staircase is. Alternatively, you can convert your loft by fitting Velux windows, which means your plasterboard sheeting is fitted directly onto your rafters, thereby increasing space.
Versatile Uses for Your New Space
A dormer extension can be used for various purposes, such as bedrooms with en-suite facilities, a large study, or a teenager’s den. If you have an interesting view, you might even consider making it your main living space.
Planning Permission and Building Warrants
Planning permission is not always required for a dormer conversion, especially if you build at the rear of the property. According to Scottish and Local Government rules, if the construction meets certain criteria, the conversion is allowed under “permitted development.” Once you have a Building Warrant from your local council’s Building Standards department, you can proceed to construction. A building warrant details all the technical specifications of the loft conversion, and it is an offence to proceed without one.
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LC Joinery Scotland can handle everything for you, including liaising with architects and the council. The Scottish Government website provides helpful criteria specifying when a dormer conversion qualifies for permitted development. These include:
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The conversion is not on the front or side of the house facing a road.
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The distance between the dormers and the boundary of your curtilage is more than 10 meters.
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The development is not higher than the existing roofline.
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All dormers combined cover less than half the width of the roof.
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The distance between dormers and any edge of the roof is at least 30 centimeters.
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The property is not within a conservation area.
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Always check with your council’s planning department to confirm whether planning permission is required.
Comprehensive Project Management
LC Joinery Scotland supplies all trades, ensuring coordination and project management are built-in. We handle everything from architectural drawings to liaising with local authorities, making sure that everything conforms to building and safety regulations, as well as complying with any conditions of planning permission and building warrants. Our full-service approach covers all internal and external work required, providing you with peace of mind and saving you time, trouble, money, and stress.
Special Considerations for Conservation Areas and Listed Buildings
If your property is in a conservation area or is a listed building, there may be additional conditions imposed on any permission to build or make alterations. LC Joinery Scotland has extensive experience working on listed buildings, ensuring sympathetic construction that satisfies all relevant authorities.