Loft conversions for terraced houses

Which loft conversion suits a terraced house?

• Rear dormer

  Standard terraces: a rear dormer built out of the back roof slope gives full standing height and the most floor space for the money.

  Rear dormer explained

• L-shaped dormer

  Victorian terraces with a back addition: an L-shaped dormer wraps the main roof and the back addition, so the new room runs the full depth. It's the biggest conversion we do.

  L-shaped dormer explained

• Hip-to-gable rear dormer

  End-of-terrace houses with a hipped end: a hip-to-gable rebuilds the sloping end as a straight wall, then a rear dormer goes on the back.

  Hip-to-gable rear dormer guide

Is there enough headroom?

The minimum is 2.3 metres from the top of the ceiling joists to the underside of the ridge, which allows 2.0 metres of head height for building regulations. Terraces vary a lot, so we measure this at the free feasibility visit.

Do I need planning permission?

Often not. Loft conversions on terraced houses normally fall under permitted development, with a smaller allowance than for other houses: the extra roof space, including any earlier roof extensions, stays within 40 cubic metres. The other rules are the same: nothing higher than the ridge, nothing forward of the front roof slope facing the road, similar materials, obscure-glazed side windows and no balconies.

Some terraced streets are in conservation areas or under an Article 4 direction, and then you do need a planning application. We check this at the free feasibility visit and tell you straight away.

Party walls on a terrace

A mid-terrace house shares a wall on both sides, so party wall notice goes to both neighbours. An end-of-terrace has one shared wall. It's usually straightforward, and if a neighbour objects we can recommend a surveyor to sort it.

Living at home during the build

Most major building work disrupts your living space from day one. A loft conversion is different. The first half of the build is done from the outside, and the breakthrough only comes at the end of that stage, when your loft crew install your new stairs.

Questions