Do you have a 'regular' loft conversion i.e. without a dorma

[sallycinnamum]

DH and I are considering a loft extension but dont think we can stretch to a dorma. The builders weve seen have done some stunning regular loft extensions with much bigger Velux windows, which obviously let lots of light and air in.

Because were having lots of other work done to our house we simply cant stretch to a dorma, which is going to cost an added 10k.

Luckily weve got a big loft so space is not that much of a problem. I suppose what Im asking is if youve got a regular loft extension do you wish youd had a dorma and have you got any tips before we get the architect in to do the drawings?

I've got one, I went for 4 smaller velux rather than bigger ones to allow for more flexibility ie not having the velux above the bed open at night!

I do have a window on the gable end though

My lift is now a double bedroom with ensuite

You do have to be creative with storage but I've got access under the eaves -wardrobes are a challenge!

I think the en suite is going to go at the gable end and I'd definitely want a window in there.

I've had a look on the marvel that is Pinterest and there seem to be quite a few good ideas regarding wardrobes and storage. I'm hoping we can have them built under the eves although this will obviously take up more space.

We have a double bedroom and bathroom in our loft, no dormer. The bathroom has a velux but the bedroom just has a window on the gable end, and this gives enough light.

We didn't do the work;it was done when we bought it, but the bedroom is a perfectly good size without a dormer.

For wardrobes we got a joiner to build fitted ones out of MDF against one of the side walls, which we then painted. I asked him to make them to Ikea Pax dimensions (width and depth, not height) so we were able to use off-the-shelf rails, baskets and drawers.

I think you need to consider the usable floor space to determine if the loft will make a sensible sized bedroom. How wide is the area and what is the floor height? I do think it's best to build the best room you can - especially if it's considered the master bedroom. You will add extra value and it would be awful to build and go through the pain and stress of a build and then realise you could have got better.

Would a dormer really cost at extra £10k? I know we had one builder give that as an estimate but we had another quote and it was closer to £5k which we were happy with. A dormer will involve scaffolding (same as velux), additional wood frame and roofing tiles but shouldn't be massively different.Perhaps shop around for builders quotes.

A rear dormer can however be less attractive visually and I personally dislike the 'rabbit hutch' style and would go for a crown roofed version.

We had a lovely loft conversion without a dormer. Dormers can be really ugly on the exterior. We still had excellent floor space (pretty average Victorian semi) and built in loads of wardrobe, drawer and cupboard space into the eves. This was a much better use of cash than a dormer and a massive selling point when we sold.

Also we had a pretty average velux on each side of the roof (so 2) plus one in the bathroom. Was very light. One window was on the eastern side and one on west so sun all day. Loved that room. Would love to replicate it!

I guess we need to get some more quotes but I don't think loft conversions are as 'ugly' as they used to be although DH who is in the design industry hates dormers as they look so boxy, which has perhaps influenced me somewhat!

What about air flow? Is it stuffy without so many windows?

Ours wasn't stuffy at all as we could open a window on each side so had great airflow. I thought it was really cosy (not small though) with the sloping ceilings.

Many thanks. I've just been wasting an hour on Pinterest looking at images of conversions (!) to show the builder on Tuesday. Am hoping we can get what we want without the dormer.

ah its exciting! Wish we could do one again as I liked the peace and quiet we had up in the loft but our current house doesn't have the roof height.

Hope it all goes well. Think the idea of getting cupboards built in to IKEA sizing is great. We paid a bespoke place far too much for our budget rather than just ask our builder to get a joiner to knock up the basics.

Not looking forward to the mammoth dust explosion though!!

We didn't have a dormer and I regret it now. We are a semi though and roof is quite low pitched so area of room with ok head height is significantly reduced compared to a terraced house. If I can ever find the money, I will have a hip to gable extension/side dormer. Not sure about rear dormer though.