Finished loft head height of 2 meters - avoid?

[jammyone]

Hi all,

I'm in a bit of a predicament so I need some advice if possible please.

We want to have a dormer loft conversion done and after having an architect round to take the measurements, we’ve been told that in order to achieve a maximum of a 2 meter head height in the loft, the ceiling would need to be dropped by 300mm. Currently the ceiling height measures 2600mm. No space would be required for new stairs. Roof can’t be raised being a terraced property.

We want the loft for our growing family so it'll primarily be used as a bedroom with an ensuite. My partner and I would move into the loft space. We aren’t very tall being 160cm and 175cm.

Would it be a bad move to have that level of work done? Would it put off prospective buyers in the future?

Thanks.

 

[Murdochcat]

Would it meet building regulations ?

 

[RandomGrinch]

The only building regulation linked to head height, relates to 2m on the landing, outside the door at the top of the loft stairs - there is even some leeway in that and some ways around the limitation - i.e. having a velux at the top of the stairs may gain you a crucial few cm, rather than that section being an insulated roof section.
Ideally the head height in the conversion should be 2m, but if you can live with less, it could save you a lot of hassle in lowering the ceilings.
Have you asked what head height the architect can give you, without lowering the ceilings?

 

[jammyone]

Would it meet building regulations ?

From my understanding yes. I couldn't find specific regulartions for loft heights but did see them about the stairs, which there would be no issues there.

 

[jammyone]

The only building regulation linked to head height, relates to 2m on the landing, outside the door at the top of the loft stairs - there is even some leeway in that and some ways around the limitation - i.e. having a velux at the top of the stairs may gain you a crucial few cm, rather than that section being an insulated roof section.
Ideally the head height in the conversion should be 2m, but if you can live with less, it could save you a lot of hassle in lowering the ceilings.
Have you asked what head height the architect can give you, without lowering the ceilings?

Thanks for your reply.

Unfortunately there isn't enough space in the loft currently. The complete ceiling on the first floor would have to come down in order to achieve the 2 meter head height in the loft and landing.

 

[freddiemercurystwin]

The only building regulation linked to head height, relates to 2m on the landing,

What regulation is that?

 

[freddiemercurystwin]

2.3m ceiling height for first floor bedrooms is not so bad, it wouldn't put me off. 2.4m is pretty standard. If you're planning on staying for a couple of years at least then I wouldn't be perturbed.

 

[RandomGrinch]

What regulation is that?

Can you be more precise over which part you object to, so I don't make the same mistake again?

According to the guidance to the building regulations, provided by approved document K.
Section 1, part 1.11 suggests 2m headroom should be provided on landings, but there is some leeway for loft conversions where a ceiling may slope...

 

[freddiemercurystwin]

That's above a stair not a landing.

 

[RandomGrinch]

That's above a stair not a landing.

I'm confused...

 

[freddiemercurystwin]

The following diagram is not just above the stairs.

 

[RandomGrinch]

The following diagram is not just above the stairs.

Then why does it reference "Half width of stair", in a section about stairs?

 

[stevie888]

The 1.9 is measured on the centreline of the stairs.

There are several ways to gain an inch here and an inch there to maximise the headroom you can achieve dependant on how good your designer is.

. If you can then putting the separating door on the first floor and boxing in the stairs for separation can help.

Having a very low ceiling might work for you, but when the kids come to sell the palce to put you in a home, buyers might be put off.