Dormer question
9 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
Our Victorian doesn't have a loft area. Rooms are right into the roof with just a little area into the eaves. So there are lower sloping ceilings. I know the back we can get a dormer extension and ok with how that may look like. But not sure on the front. I've tried looking for examples as i don't want it to stick out and look wrong. House next ours is a Grade II and the end of the Conservation area. Any ideas?
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PRO9 years ago
PRO9 years agoRelated Discussions
Dormer question
Comments (4)Hello there. We have undertaken quite a few projects on Victorian houses where dormers join. This has been achieved by both sides enclosing on a party wall that has been extended in height to a minimum of 150mm above the roof deck. Being solid masonary, insulation is then added internally. The roof coverings of the two dormers are protected with lead flashing. As Man About The House has said, party wall agreements are a must. Good luck with your project. Regards David....See MoreLoft conversion issue - help!
Comments (6)Hi AMB, I see your dilemma. I don't have first experience of your situation so I'm not sure if my comments will be of any help but I'm going to be starting a loft conversion too next month and I'm in an edwardian terrace ( one neighbour already has a loft done ). From my experience, it is best to casually speak to your neighbour about your future intentions because when the time comes you will have to ask them to sign a Party Wall Agreement anyway. Just a few questions - Is the dormer side/cheek built right up to the boundary/party wall? If yes and you want to maximise the size of your dormer, do you plan to join your dormer with your neighbour's dormer if they agree to block out window? If neighbour does not allow you to join onto their dormer, you will have to build the dormer 500mm in from Party Wall because the builder needs space to tile the dormer side ( so your loft will not be so wide ). This is the dilemma we had but luckily our neighbours agreed to join onto theirs. You may wish to speak to a builder about this 500mm gap but that it what our architect and builder told us. I'm not an expert on the 'right to light' but if you neighbour already has another window and if you decide to build within your boundary I don't see why it should stop you, I assume you are doing it through the Permitted Development route? Do you also have a chimney stack at the back? Have you met your neighbours? It's a bit of a tricky situation because you haven't bought the property yet and you don't know what they are like. I don't think it matters their window overlooks your roof as they will just get a view your tiles and you can't see into their window, they should have thought about that before they built their dormer. Did they build it a long time ago?...See MoreLoft extension layout dilemma- help please!
Comments (16)Just wondering, if we went back to the picture with the original design with a bedroom, bathroom and study area in the loft. Options one is bathroom under the eaves. The architect has suggested running the soil pipe down the outside of the building which I think a) would look ugly and b) would need extensive and expensive groundworks to join to main drains. I wound have thought running under the floorboards to join existing soil pipe behind the loo in the bathroom would make more sense? Option two is moving bathroom to the back by the window, into the study area. I was initially against this as it seemed to make more sense to enjoy the view with a bedroom/ study but I’m now wondering if this is actually the most sensible? If so I’m wondering about the layout for the dressing area/ reading nook/study area and if anyone has any good ideas? Thanks in advance for your help!...See MoreLoft conversion and upper floor layout thoughts
Comments (1)Hi! This is a long a complex post! It's hard to know exactly what your question is. If you are looking for help with the layout design then this is something that I can help you with. For the technical questions relating to structural design then yes, as you say, these are best answered by a structural engineer. Getting the layout right for you first and then speaking to the engineer is usually the process that I would go through. I always start off with looking at what it is you want to achieve from the additional space you create. I would also look at upgrading the thermal performance of the roof since you will need to recover the roof anyway. You will need to add in insulation anyway but there are ways of doing it that is much more effective and there are some serious errors that are commonly made that you need to avoid - like cutting holes in the insulation to install inset downlights. You can have a look at how I work and get a copy of my free Design Your Home Vision checklist on my website here: www.i-architect.co.uk best wishes with you project, Jane...See More- 9 years ago
- 9 years agoLike these... that would suit the house better. Just needed to ask the right question in my searches
- PRO9 years ago
PRO9 years ago
9 years ago
9 years ago- 9 years agoThanks very much all.
I'm waiting for some companies to get back to me to get an idea of what's possible.. budget and high end. I've added a picture of the inside and my main issue is the slopes. (1st picture with the bath) And this is why I think a dormer for the back would work and I'd really love glass full length windows all along. And possibly of adding an compact en-suite. We do also have the option of joining the room to the front bedroom (2nd picture) and making one large bedroom. But it's loosing a room??? Is that wise. The house is currently 4 beds.
Angela Gilham