skip to main content

Renovating Design Dilemma Building a Home

Open plan loft conversion

last year

last modified: last year

Hi,

We’re planning a loft conversion, mainly to move the guest bedroom upstairs to have more space for ourselves on the first floor. It’s a standard, small house on a newish estate.

We’re happy to only declare the closed-off room as a bedroom.

Question:

Do we have to close-off the second space?

We would have to change the entre design, and move the stairs if we have to close it off, which we want to avoid.

Any advise would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you.

Featured Answer

Didi Di

last year

Hello, i have a house like this, enter in one big room and there is another small room. What your ideea about design and devide it? It is tall, about 4 m, and around 70 sq m. Thank you

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (17)

Didi Di
last year
Only the first floor
Related Discussions
Do I need planning to add a rear dormer to an old loft conversion?
Q
Comments (2)
Hey SS, if you want some expert advice from us then we offer free consultations to people like yourself. We've got over 30 years of experience and we do all the leg work for our clients when it comes to planning permissions and regulations. You can check out what we can do for you here if you like https://www.houzz.co.uk/discussions/north-london-loft-conversion-architecht-required-dsvw-vd~4271175?n=3 we hope you get the advice you need either way! Good luck!
...See More
Alternative Fire Regs solution on Loft Conversion terraced cottage
Q
Comments (13)
If only was that easy. I am waiting for Building regs man to get back to me for meeting. Every option in the past been discussed via my builder whom I no personally . Unless Somethings been missed we have already put to him about external fire escape stairs, the fact that new back bedroom and loft will all have new windows that a person can get out of (sure I asked about fire escape ladder which was met with a "No not sufficient" ). Its a cottage so ceilings low hence height to evacuate from a 2nd or 3rd floor in event fire would not take long. I no its down to me to put all options to buildings regs he isnt giving anywhere here and obviously its not his job to come up with solutions.Perhaps when he next comes round now so much has been done and he can see for himself windows are escape route. For now its looking like he wont sign loft off as an official 3rd bedroom. If I have to accept that , so long as I got firedoors on all floors so be it. In long run I would obviously like it signed off. Alternatively not now as monies tight but ny architect suggested months back that I possibly get a private building regs inspector who may be a bit more giving on alternatives, it would mean though paying a 2nd time gor building regs.
...See More
help! double storey rear vs single storey rear+loft conversion?
Q
Comments (14)
Hi Heather! At Urbanist Architecture we love helping our clients get planning permission and turn their dreams into reality! We are a team of planners, architects and engineers and we had the chance to work on over 500 projects in London that are similar to yours! We would love to help you progress from a ‘’pipe dream’’ phase into something real and amazing. Just to give you an idea of what we do, please visit our website: https://urbanistarchitecture.co.uk/ After getting in touch with us, we will carry out a free initial feasibility report and will send you a quote. We will help you formulate a brief, prepare design options and submit your planning application. We are experts in our field so we will be advising you along the way in order to deliver your dream project stress-free. Don’t hesitate to contact us!
...See More
Lighting/electrical plan for loft conversion
Q
Comments (3)
If it were me I would move the WC closer to the stairs so that midnight flushes don’t disturb the bedroom next door. I would also add a sensor and LED so that in the middle of the night a light comes on without using the principal lights plus extractor. I would also ensure there is a socket somewhere convenient for a vacuum cleaner. You might think if you want phone points or TV/satellite points on this level too. And if there is a loft put a light switch on the landing.
...See More
Jonathan
last year
Im confused about the roof pitch. Can you please post a picture of the front?

I understand you not wanting to go back to the drawing board but i suspect there is a better plan by positioning the stairs over your existing stairs
Didi Di
last year
There aren’t any stairs. There ia only the ground floor. The entrance is directly from the street. I don t have many photos yet, the location is not empty for better photos. I still put some more.
Didi Di
last year
Only the red one part is about.
Didi Di
last year
Has also a basement.
Betty Boo
last year
Didi Di, you will need to start your own post - this is Inga’s post and Jonathan is responding to Inga.
Didi Di
last year
Oh, and how can i do that? Thank you
Betty Boo
last year
Exit this thread by tapping on the back arrow (top left), tap on ‘…see all’ in Latest in Discussions then tap on ‘Start a discussion.’
Inga
Original Author
last year
Hi Jonathan,

The roof pitch is left & right, i.e. the slope starts right above the first floor stairs. I don’t want any dormers, that’s why the stairs into the loft are in the centre.

The question for this layout is: Do I have to close off the open plan space?
Jonathan
last year
That study on the attic level can be open plan.
Jonathan
last year
You might however decide if a replan could give

you rooms that you prefer
Inga
Original Author
12 months ago
Hi Johnathan,

Thank you for your reply. I’m glad to hear that we don’t have to close the study off.

I did read Approved Document B, but I couldn’t find our layout in it. Can you please advise where it is hidden?

I like your idea of combining the two double bedrooms, too. Thank you for sharing.
Jonathan
12 months ago
I don’t know what document b is. I posted one plan which according to your reply you have seen.
Inga
Original Author
12 months ago
Approved Document B = UK building regs for fire safety. It describes where walls & doors are required. I read it but it’s still not clear to me, hence my post here.
Jonathan
12 months ago
The “Study” is just like having a big landing/hallway. Because its not a room behind a fire foor youre not allowed to call it a bedroom but thats ok if the intention is for it to be an undefined space
PRO
LoftCompare
9 months ago
You don’t have to close off the second space unless you want it to count as a formal bedroom on the plans or for Building Control to treat it as a separate habitable room. Building Control mainly cares about safe escape routes, fire protection, and the staircase layout. As long as the main bedroom space is properly enclosed where required for fire safety, the rest of the loft can stay open if it is being used as a landing, storage area, or general open space.

Many people with smaller houses keep part of the loft open to avoid awkward stair designs or losing headroom. The key thing is that the enclosed bedroom must meet the rules on fire doors, insulation, and escape windows. The open area usually just has to meet the general structural and insulation requirements.

Your builder or architect can confirm the exact layout, but you usually do not have to redesign everything just to close off that second space unless you specifically want two separate rooms.

Sponsored

More Discussions

Kitchen design help

3

Utility access, advice urgently needed!

7

Advice needed: concealed kitchen door into utility room – Building Reg

4

Kitchen renovation

10

Will the kitchen get enough light?

2