What You Need to Know About Rooflight Loft Conversions
Gen up on the pros and cons of the cheapest and easiest option in the next in this series on loft conversions
With loft conversions becoming ever-more popular, it’s never been more important to be aware of the options. There are multiple ways to extend up into your loft, each with its own advantages and disadvantages. As part of our Loft Conversion Planning guide, this series looks at different types of loft conversion – including roof light conversions, discussed here – to give you an idea of what’s out there.
A roof light conversion is when you build within the existing roof line of a property, so you don’t extend the space externally at all. If you’re considering one, bear these points in mind.
Beginning your loft conversion project? Read How Do I Begin a Loft Conversion?
A roof light conversion is when you build within the existing roof line of a property, so you don’t extend the space externally at all. If you’re considering one, bear these points in mind.
Beginning your loft conversion project? Read How Do I Begin a Loft Conversion?
…but you also get less space
Although a roof light conversion can be cheaper, most people tend to go for dormer or mansard conversions if they’re able to, as these offer considerably more space for the money.
One of the major limitations is finding a space for the stairs to come up. Because of head height stipulations in the Building Regulations, the stairs often have to come up in the middle of the loft, where head height is greatest, so this can really dictate the way the space is used.
Although a roof light conversion can be cheaper, most people tend to go for dormer or mansard conversions if they’re able to, as these offer considerably more space for the money.
One of the major limitations is finding a space for the stairs to come up. Because of head height stipulations in the Building Regulations, the stairs often have to come up in the middle of the loft, where head height is greatest, so this can really dictate the way the space is used.
They are perfect for conservation areas
Another reason you might go for a roof light loft conversion is if you live in a conservation area. Depending on the local council, the planning authorities may not allow you to build out dormer or mansard extensions in a protected area.
In the London borough of Lambeth, for example, the planners prefer you to build two smaller dormer windows rather than one big dormer extension, which means it isn’t always worth the extra cost.
Another reason you might go for a roof light loft conversion is if you live in a conservation area. Depending on the local council, the planning authorities may not allow you to build out dormer or mansard extensions in a protected area.
In the London borough of Lambeth, for example, the planners prefer you to build two smaller dormer windows rather than one big dormer extension, which means it isn’t always worth the extra cost.
You may still need Planning Permission
If you’re putting in roof lights at the front of your property, this will require Planning Permission, as they will be visible from the street. Putting them in at the back may or may not need permission, depending on the borough.
Normally, a rear roof light would be done under Permitted Development, because you’re not adding anything to the volume and it won’t be visible from the street. But it’s always worth clearing your plans with your local council before building anything under Permitted Development, just to be sure you’re on the same page.
If you’re putting in roof lights at the front of your property, this will require Planning Permission, as they will be visible from the street. Putting them in at the back may or may not need permission, depending on the borough.
Normally, a rear roof light would be done under Permitted Development, because you’re not adding anything to the volume and it won’t be visible from the street. But it’s always worth clearing your plans with your local council before building anything under Permitted Development, just to be sure you’re on the same page.
You will need 2m head height
To be able to do a roof light conversion, aside from having a normal pitched roof, you need sufficient head height. It must be about 2.25m tall in the middle, because you’ll probably have to build up the floor by about 25cm to make it secure, and the minimum requirement for Building Regulations approval is 2m.
If you don’t have that height, you’d need to find the space by lowering the ceilings below, but this would be fairly disruptive.
To be able to do a roof light conversion, aside from having a normal pitched roof, you need sufficient head height. It must be about 2.25m tall in the middle, because you’ll probably have to build up the floor by about 25cm to make it secure, and the minimum requirement for Building Regulations approval is 2m.
If you don’t have that height, you’d need to find the space by lowering the ceilings below, but this would be fairly disruptive.
You should be able to have as many windows as you like
This will again depend on your local council and whether or not you’re in a conservation area, but generally, most planners are happy to approve as many windows as you can physically fit within the structure.
See what the experts have to say on the golden rules of bathroom design
This will again depend on your local council and whether or not you’re in a conservation area, but generally, most planners are happy to approve as many windows as you can physically fit within the structure.
See what the experts have to say on the golden rules of bathroom design
You’ll be limited to blinds
Because of the slope of the roofline, you’ll be limited to blinds for your window treatments. The good news is there are hundreds of colours and styles out there, so you’ll be sure to find one to fit your scheme.
Many blind companies will make fitted blinds for any make of roof light window, and most roof light companies offer the option of integral blinds, which are sandwiched between the panes of glass for a neat finish.
Because of the slope of the roofline, you’ll be limited to blinds for your window treatments. The good news is there are hundreds of colours and styles out there, so you’ll be sure to find one to fit your scheme.
Many blind companies will make fitted blinds for any make of roof light window, and most roof light companies offer the option of integral blinds, which are sandwiched between the panes of glass for a neat finish.
New technology makes opening windows a breeze
Some roof light windows, as well as their blinds, can be remote controlled and can even have rain sensors to close automatically if it starts to pour down. If you have lots of windows, you can programme them to all close at the same time at the touch of a button.
We tend to recommend top-hung windows, which open from the top rather than the centre, to give you a clear, full view.
Some roof light windows, as well as their blinds, can be remote controlled and can even have rain sensors to close automatically if it starts to pour down. If you have lots of windows, you can programme them to all close at the same time at the touch of a button.
We tend to recommend top-hung windows, which open from the top rather than the centre, to give you a clear, full view.
You can cheat a mini balcony
There’s no structure for a Juliet balcony or skylight in a roof light loft conversion. You can put windows higher up, but you won’t be able to install a horizontal skylight given the pitch of the roof.
A nice alternative to the Juliet balcony, though, is the balcony window, which folds into the pitch of the roofline when closed, but when opened forms a mini balcony, as seen here. It’s a great little cheat in areas where it’s acceptable under planning.
There’s no structure for a Juliet balcony or skylight in a roof light loft conversion. You can put windows higher up, but you won’t be able to install a horizontal skylight given the pitch of the roof.
A nice alternative to the Juliet balcony, though, is the balcony window, which folds into the pitch of the roofline when closed, but when opened forms a mini balcony, as seen here. It’s a great little cheat in areas where it’s acceptable under planning.
There are plenty of clever storage solutions
A roof light loft conversion will result in eaves at both the front and back of the room, which means a significant amount of storage space. In the past, these areas could be hard to access, but eaves storage has come a long way and you can now install drawers with runners that are longer at the bottom than the top, so they go right back into every corner.
TELL US…
Are you considering a loft conversion, or have you recently completed one? We’d love to hear about your experiences in the Comments below..
A roof light loft conversion will result in eaves at both the front and back of the room, which means a significant amount of storage space. In the past, these areas could be hard to access, but eaves storage has come a long way and you can now install drawers with runners that are longer at the bottom than the top, so they go right back into every corner.
TELL US…
Are you considering a loft conversion, or have you recently completed one? We’d love to hear about your experiences in the Comments below..
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One of the reasons many people end up going for a roof light loft conversion is they tend to be cheaper than the mansard or dormer equivalents, which involve extending the space externally. Roof light conversions can be up to 25% cheaper.
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