If you would love a beautiful new space in your home without compromising precious garden space to extend, a loft conversion is a great idea. However, if you own a period property, the process may not be quite as straightforward when it comes to renovating in this way. To help you consider whether or not to convert your property, here’s a rundown of what to think about when you’re considering a loft conversion for older properties:
The Space You’re Converting: Is It suitable?
In many ways, period properties are more suitable than newer homes for a loft conversion because they tend to have very roomy loft space. Newer homes can have quite a low roof space in general, which, although not impossible to convert by any means, is not as ripe for conversion as something like, say, a Victorian property.
Older properties are also devoid of the post-1960s W fink trusses, which use up a lot of space in the loft, and, if removed, cause the space to be structurally unsound. Because of that feature, in newer homes, there is a need to add beams for structural stability when converting the loft, but often this isn’t necessary for an older home.
What may be more of an issue is the various constraints of converting an older property loft space. Challenges to this kind of conversion can be:
A Higher Chance Of Protected Species Presence
If your property is within a protected area, you may well not be able to get planning permission for your period of a property conversion. A huge range of sites are protected, but you can check if yours is in or near one using the government’s mapping tool (link on this page).
Another issue is that those beautiful, roomy loft spaces that come with a period property aren’t just loved by people – all kinds of animals love to use them too! Whilst pigeons, rats, squirrels, and wasps can be removed/ relocated with a professional pest controller, certain species are protected and may make a loft conversion more challenging.
A really good example of this is bats. Bats are protected by law, and if they roost in your loft, you could have a real battle on your hands when it comes to doing any renovations whilst they live in that space. It can get a little complicated, though, so the best thing to do is stick by the book the entire time and use a trusted loft conversion company. They can help you do things properly and legally, as they know all the latest laws and legislation surrounding period property loft conversions and conservation orders.
The Potential For The Property To Require Further Structural Work To Support A Change
Period properties may be more prone to issues like dampness, woodworm, subsidence, and more. They could also contain asbestos. The building itself can also be more structurally fragile, and the building materials could well be very old, and finding suitable matching replacements can present further challenges.
All of these factors can mean that a loft conversion for an older property is more challenging than with a newer home.
You can consider a large range of options when it comes to design – dormer, L-shaped, mansard, hip-to-gable, skylight – which provides a rich selection of workable options that fit in with the structure and look of a period property.
However, if structural challenges are present, it is important to have an honest approach and recognize that it may mean that either your conversion takes longer, costs longer, or both.
It might not be a problem at all, but this is where using an experienced and qualified loft conversion company is essential. They will know exactly what needs to be done when it comes to checking if your property is suitable for conversion and what to do in the event that there are structural hurdles that need working around. They can go into detail about how those workarounds may impact the cost, development, and the timescale of the overall project. This gives you complete transparency about what this kind of home improvement means for you, and you can move forward fully informed and prepared to face your unique route to extending.
Listed Building Barriers
The lengthy document attached to this link is one that advises on getting permission to convert a listed building, and that is exactly the point – it is a lengthy document because it is a highly complex process.
Listed buildings are protected, so there may well be several hoops to jump through to have your dream loft conversion. Unfortunately, in rare cases, you might not be able to convert your home at all.
What you can and should do is utilize a highly experienced loft conversion company that specifically has expertise in loft conversions on period properties and who understands the local area. They may well have insider knowledge on period properties approved for work nearby and how that permission was achieved with certain workarounds.
Working in this way ensures that you can apply for the correct permissions, and you can do everything as legally as possible. It also means you have a company that will work with you to draw up plans that work around any barriers that the listed building status may highlight. They can also interpret complex construction terminology and explanations within the paperwork you get, which will further help you work towards a solution.
“The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams.” – said Eleanor Roosevelt.
Is it harder to achieve a dream loft conversion on a period property? Sometimes! Is it worth it? Absolutely.
A loft conversion can add 20% to the value of your home, prevent eating up valuable garden space to extend, and provide extra essential living space in the place you love the most.
The key is to utilize the services of an experienced, qualified, and trusted loft conversion company that knows how to help you problem-solve and work around the potential challenges of renovating an older home.
