Loft Conversion

[BooksChocolateAndSleep]

Has anyone had a loft conversion with a low roof height? We had a builder come round yesterday and he said that the roof height is borderline and that we would probably hate it! We have some other work we want him to do but he really didn't seem interested in any off it (not cheap 5 minute jobs either), so now I'm not sure if he was just brushing us off or if we really would hate it! It was going to be a bedroom for us with an en-suite, I don't want it to feel completely shut in but equally I don't mind if it isn't huge..

Decent builders are really hard to come by at the moment!

Yes decent builders are in big demand and high prices. On top of that is building materials are in short supply as well.

I wouldn't do a conversion with a low ceiling

We did..it worked out ok, we never thought we could do it. W3 had a hip to gabel and dormer, so a big job.

There was a Love it or List it episode with this dilemma, not sure of the series but the couple were called Sarah and Pepper. They were told the roof would be very low so opted to lower the floor instead.

Won't it have to be a certain height to meet building regs? We got quotes for lowering our floors, from memory it was an extra 6k. But the mess and disruption would have been horrific. I don't think we would have gone ahead. The one company thought it wasn't too bad, but the others wouldn't do it. Make sure you get at least 3 quotes and ask what finished ceiling height will be..

You can lower the floor if you have the height for it the next floor down. Big and messy job tho....

there are a couple more factors to consider maybe. One is the level the floor will be at. Some 1st floor ceiling joists might need strengthening which might raise the floor, therefore reducing the ceiling height in the loft. However, the ridge height doesn't necessarily need to limit the ceiling height in the whole of the loft. A dormer can be raised slightly higher.

I'd recommend talking to an architect.

Thanks everyone.

The builder did say another option was to lower the floor apparently not a big job but like a few of you have said very messy! I'm just not sure it's worth it and I really don't want to have such a low ceiling that it feels closed in.

@Notavegan apparently it was 2.2m which is the very minimum and he said would hate it! You're definitely right in that we need to get a few people round to quote and have a look.

@Gemma2019 I'm going to see if I can find the episode, thanks!

@oldwhyno I think we need an architect or at least a loft specialist as this man was just a regular builder who was recommended to us.

We definitely won't be lowering the floors though.

This was exactly our issue - we went with Econoloft and when plans came back, it looked like we'd only have 1.85m head height, which is pretty low. However, we lucked out with the joiners who were contracted to our job - they did an awesome job and managed to get just over 2m head height for us (without lowering ceilings) which actually feels absolutely fine (although the bedroom is going to a our 10 yr old daughter, rather than adults).

The joiners have their own company and are hoping to get more work directly rather than contract work. Where are you based? Would be happy to send you their contact details. I think they are based in Essex, but they were happy travelling to us in SE London.

@BooksChocolateAndSleep we're going through this at the moment and have found it really helpful to go and check out several neighbours that have done their lofts. Ceiling height was one thing we were checking out.

I don't think 2.2m needs to be the very minimum. It's very subjective, and depends on how tall you are, but if it's a case of "that or nothing", 2-2.1m wouldn't be a deal breaker for me.

We applied for planning permission to raise the ridge line slightly (20cm I think but we're having roof redone anyway so made sense), and lowered ceilings below.
The mess wasn't that horrendous but obviously have to completely clear and redecorate those rooms. We had high ceilings below so fine even with them lowered

I think 2m is the minimum - just above the doorframe. It's low (I can touch. It easily) but ok. Ours are 2.1 which feels quite pleasant and we've a master bedroom up there. 2.2 sounds high!

Ours is at door frame height as hopefully pics show. We don't hate it and dh is tall. Just measured and it's 206cm at a push.

I mean, ideally it would be higher- the rest of our house has high ceilings, but no regrets.

I'm following with interest as in exactly the same boat. Architect is worried it will be low but we desperately need the space. A neighbour a few doors down has the same. Desperate to try and get in for a nosey but I don't know them at all!

2.4m is considered the standard room height in new builds. I've been in houses with lower and dislike it.

We are tall, 6'1" and 5'9" and kids will be tall in the next 5 years. We want a master in the loft, and can't imagine hitting the ceiling with arms when getting dressed! Also need height for a shower in the en-suite.....

Speaking to a builder who suggested steel instead of wooden floor joists, would get the floor thinner (save 10cm). Plus lowering the 1st floor ceilings (currently 2.5m).

A "standard" loft conversion would probably get us 2.1 m. That feels cramped to me. So we are considering lowering the 1st floor ceilings and using steel joists to get 2.3m up there. With careful management of the ridge and insulation there might be a few more cms at the highest point.
Then the house will be 2.5m ground, 2.4m 1st, and 2.3 loft which feels more balanced. But it will cost.

I got our measurements wrong! It's actually 2.1m at the moment and the builder said once it's finished we would be looking at just under 2m. I'm not tall (5'6 and dh 5'10) so I'm not sure.. I think we may get another builder or two round and see if we get different opinions.

@Notavegan thanks for the photos, love your shower room that's just the tiles (floor and walls) that we are looking to have.

@Restlessinthenorth we have a few people on our street who have had loft conversions but as you said I don't know them to knock and ask if we can have a look!! I keep thinking if they have had them then it can't be too bad..

@BadHatHarry74 if I could have their details that would be great, I'm SE London as well!

@Rollercoaster1920 that's really helpful thank you.

@BooksChocolateAndSleep I would know and introduce yourself, say your planning on having your loft done and noticed they had theirs done. Totally understand if they aren’t comfortable, or if this isn’t a good time, but would they be open to showing you the loft? Here’s our phone number and names, we live at #24, etc etc etc

I’d not go round with your partner, best if just one of you goes, and arrange a time to see the loft eg when they have other people there so they don’t feel threatened.

Check rightmove for past listings on the street to see photos of loft conversions. Also check the council planning website and cross reference the plans. Decent architect plans have ceiling height on them.

I've noticed lots of for-sale houses with totally different extensions to the plans though!