After huge popular of loft conversions, people with a bungalow also think to try it in the loft of their homes as well. The full credibility goes to stylish finish and easy extension construction. Installing an extra cinema room, office space or bedroom is the convenient idea to extend the space of bungalow upwards.
In fact they also possess plenty of headroom for adding stairs and of course star-gazing roof windows. Go and have a check on the necessary information you need to know for bungalow loft conversion from this post.
Is planning permission needed for bungalow loft conversion?
Basically bungalow doesn’t need any planning permission except for the ones which come with PD (permitted development). Some need to match certain key conditions that deem to be availed only by permission.
Moreover, in case the design is not complied then proper planning application has to be submitted. It is mainly required for the bungalows around National Parks, Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty and Conservation Areas.
PD conversions have capped the volume of extensions especially for hip-to-gable and dormer. The extension mustn’t cross over 50m3 or 40m3 for the roofs. But the existing loft space provides enough room for the roof and so you don’t have to worry about it.
Some vital planning permission regulation involves the following:
- Roof height can’t be raised.
- The face of the main elevation ideally the front can’t be used for dormer or any such projects extending the roof. But roof windows can be installed.
- Every roof extension and dormer must be placed maintaining a gap of at least 200mm from the actual eaves.
- Windows should be properly glazed and its open casement must be 1700mm over the floor. It is necessary for the hip-to-gable in which roof windows are side-faced.
- Construction of raised platforms and balconies are strictly prohibited.
- Used material should be same to that of the existing bungalow.
Apart from permission, you are advised to get verified from the Local Planning Authority prior to commence the task as PD rights might not be applicable in your case as well. It happens if the bungalow has had the permission already for the enlargement during its development. Sometimes Article 4 Direction can be implied to nullify the PC rights.
How much cost will need for a bungalow loft conversion?
Conversion of loft in the bungalows is relatively lower in contrast to other equivalent houses. The price can be remained within a range due to the necessity of single scaffolding lift only. Also cut off the additional expense of comprehensive fire protection measure is an absolute bonus.
With many bungalows, you can find spacious loft already that eliminates the necessity of bulky dormer window. Instead, allowance of the rooflights within fitted flush is enough. Any simple loft conversion will need £20k-£25k for double bedroom design. En suite bathroom and dormer windows can cost you up to £40k. The most expensive one can cost as hefty as £65k.
Attributions of the cost
Mostly, cost is impacted by the features you want and quality of finishes and fittings. The necessity of additional structural support also contributes the price. Whilst it is about time frame, any normal bungalow loft conversion consumes 6-8 weeks to get finished.
If planning application and Party Wall Agreement is an absolute necessary for the construction then extra couple of months can be needed for the task to get finished.
Is the loft of the bungalow perfect for conversion?
You can easily assess if the loft is eligible to conduct transformation task by standing up there and waving the hands upwards. Numerous bungalow designs are not feasible to carry out such kind of extension task.
The issue can be resolved in the following 2 ways:
Putting of new ceilings
Spare headroom has to be added additionally from the existing rooms in ground floor for the bungalow with generous heights. It involves demolishing and reconstructing of the new ceiling from the ground level till the to-be-converted loft floor.
Roof rebuilding
Roof can be rebuilt at steeper height! But it can need planning permission even for the detached bungalows. Not only is it a tedious task to carry out but also hefty in terms of price. Sometimes, during rebuilding of the house you have to redesign the entire house again.
It will extend the walls for additional storey to obtain such room at the top with new roof. Such designs employ structural insulated panel construction or lightweight timber frame for which you have to change the PD application for additional storeys.
Support the new floor
The biggest consideration during loft conversion is to opt for the ways for supporting the new floor. Widely, bungalows possess the late 1960s design and they have that traditional roof structure made from timber for supporting the internal loaded walls partially.
Later all of these are replaced by prefabricated modern roof trusses within the walls without any kind of intermediate support. Although loaded internal walls can support the joists of new floor joist yet the fact is the bungalows are not founded to support extra floor.
Thereby, you need to consult with the expert of loft conversions in London to design in such a way so that additional loft room can be accommodated safely. To ensure this investigation for trial pit excavation is essential for the ability of the structure.
In early conversion, the joists are positioned paralleled to the joists of existing ceiling for complimentary support by large steel beams placed near the eaves. Structural engineer can be only person to determine the correct measurement of the steels and joists. Nowadays, heavily steel beam are positioned manoeuvre into the confined walls for optimal support.
Use of telescopic aluminium joists is also celebrated much to position adjacent of the existing joists of the ceiling. Popularly known as telebeams these are incredible in offering the support to the modified roof with no interference to party walls.
You are always recommended to select a company that offers best loft conversions in the UK at attractive prices. By not compromising the quality with price check out the right one to carry out the task of loft conversion in your property without hampering the charisma of periodic bungalow.