Making alterations to Attic Rooms

lizziebgood · 28 Mar 2010

Hi-I have a 1st floor flat (in an old granite building) but it also came with a staircase to the attic where there are two attic rooms. The staircase is full size with banistairs and rails but is a little short in head height as it goes round the corner. The rooms upstairs have always been used for something although only one is lined. Maybe just for drying clothes but there is a good wooded floor and skylight windows.

One room is 4m by 5m but at the apex is only 2.1m. I would really like to make more of these rooms and put in a little kitchen, shower room and roof windows. When does putting a shower room in your upstairs rooms become a conversion and so room heights and stair heights have to be taken in to account?

What regulations might I have to follow?

Thanks

freddiemercurystwin · 28 Mar 2010

http://www.planningportal.gov.uk/england/public/buildingwork/projects/workcommonloftconversion/
http://www.planningportal.gov.uk/en...s/workcommonloftconversion/workmorebrloftcon/

lizziebgood · 29 Mar 2010

Thanks for that. However two of the main thing in the regulations are to do with making the floor safe for a load and I already have a safe floor. Also a new stair access has to conform to regulations - but I already have stairs that were built when the house was built.

So do you think there will be any major problem getting a kitchen, shower room and bedroom in the loft that will conform to building regulations?
Thanks

freddiemercurystwin · 30 Mar 2010

There is no inherent reasons why you cannot have a kitchen, shower & bedroom in your loft as long as it complies with the regs. If you are getting any new works approved by Building Control they may expect to see what measures were taken with regards to structure & heat loss etc if applicable when the loft was originally converted.

lizziebgood · 30 Mar 2010

I was just concerned about starting the process when I had been told that there may not be enough head height in the stairs. You can bump your head as you go round the corner. And the apex height in the attic is about 2.1m. See photos of stairs up to attic and lined room.

Thanks

freddiemercurystwin · 30 Mar 2010

Genreally speaking for loft conversion stairs you need a minimum of 1.9m (or close to it) above the centre line of the stairs.

lizziebgood · 30 Mar 2010

Thanks - that is my worry. These stairs have been used for about 100yrs but they are less than 1.9m at the centre. People were maybe smaller then. I haven't got exact figures as we don't own the property yet but I know I bumped my head going up.

Well we shall just have to see what the authorities say.

Thanks
Liz

freddiemercurystwin · 30 Mar 2010

100yrs! They'll probably let it go then!

lizziebgood · 30 Mar 2010

Okay - fingers crossed. I will let you know the outcome once I hear anything.

Thanks
Liz

lizziebgood · 21 Apr 2010

Well the answer seems to be no! There is only about 1.7m head height in the stairs at the highest part.

I am a bit dissapointed as it is a huge attic area. The solution they came up with is to build a dormer over the stairs to give enought head height.

I just don't want to mess about with the roof - just make the most of the space.

Thanks for your support

liz

freddiemercurystwin · 21 Apr 2010

Fitting a roof light can add a hundred mm or so but if you've only got 1700mm at the highest point I doubt this would work for you. Dormer or re-jigging the stairs are your only alternatives.

In any case I thought it had been there for 100 years in which case BC I am surprised BC are bothered about minimum heights only about works you're carrying out involving fitting your kitchen etc up there.

Who is "they" ?

DevilDamo · 21 Apr 2010

I'm a bit confused... how are they not accepting headroom to an existing staircase that was installed x number of years ago?

lizziebgood · 21 Apr 2010

They are saying that if I want to create liveable space in the attic then the existing stairs must be of acceptable height. This is coming via an architectural technician who has liased with them.

Maybe I should enquire elsewhere? I did contact a loft specialist and they said it should be no problem but they haven't seen the property.

Liz

freddiemercurystwin · 21 Apr 2010

What has the space been used for up to now?

Edit just re-read your first post, it may be worth getting the inspector round for a visit, lofts can be a nightmare to advise on tbh. Has your techy been round for a visit and what if any solutions has he offered?

maltaron · 22 Apr 2010

I had a similar situation about 4 years ago. The loft room (boarded with stairs like yours) was deemed to be a bedroom, allthough it was filthy and not even lined (underside of slates formed the ceiling). I contacted the LABC and told them I wanted to line the ceiling with plasterboard and split it to 2 bedrooms. Their attitude was that it is already a bedroom and they were not interested if I made it into 2, the lining was an improvement and they suggested (but not insisted) that I put in some insulation. This I did and sold the place as 4 bedroom with no problem.

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Making alterations to Attic Rooms

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