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Loft Conversions in Brighton & Hove
A loft conversion turns dead roof space into a proper room, usually a bedroom with an ensuite, and it does it without losing any garden. On a Brighton terrace it is often the only direction left to build.
We take the whole conversion on: structure, stairs, dormer, insulation, fire protection, plumbing and the finish. Done properly it reads as part of the house, not a room in the attic.
What’s involved
What the job actually includes
Structural alterations
New floor joists and beams to carry the load properly, rather than relying on ceiling joists that were never designed for it.
Dormers and rooflights
Rear dormers to win headroom and floor area, or rooflights where the roof shape and the planning position suit them better.
Staircase
A compliant staircase worked into the floor below, which is usually the hardest planning problem in the whole job.
Insulation and ventilation
Insulated and ventilated to current regulations so the room is usable in August as well as January.
Fire safety
Protected escape route, fire doors and alarms, which building control will check.
Plumbing and finish
Ensuite if you want one, then plastering, joinery and decoration.
Local knowledge
Butterfly roofs and Brighton lofts
A large share of Brighton and Hove's Victorian terraces have butterfly roofs, the M-shaped double pitch with a central valley gutter running front to back. They are not the same job as a standard pitched roof. The valley has to be dealt with, headroom is tighter in the middle, and the structural approach is different. We have worked on plenty of them, and we will tell you at the site visit whether your roof gives you a realistic conversion or whether the headroom is not there, which is not something you want to discover after the scaffolding is up.
Common questions
Loft Conversions: your questions answered
Does a loft conversion need planning permission?
Rear dormers often fall under permitted development, but conservation areas and Article 4 directions across Brighton and Hove frequently remove that, and anything facing the street usually needs consent. We check your specific address rather than guessing.
Is my loft tall enough to convert?
As a rough test you want around 2.2 to 2.4 metres from the top of the existing ceiling joist to the ridge before work starts. Less than that and you are looking at more involved options. We measure properly at the site visit and tell you straight if it is not viable.
Will I lose a bedroom to the new staircase?
Not usually, but the staircase position is the thing that most often reshapes the floor below. We work it out at design stage so you can see exactly what that floor looks like afterwards.
Can you do the ensuite as well?
Yes. We handle the plumbing as part of the conversion rather than leaving you to arrange a separate trade at the end.
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Taking out a load bearing wall is what turns a dark Victorian terrace into an open kitchen diner.
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Whether it is a whole house that has not been touched in thirty years or a single room done properly, a refurbishment is a lot of trades in the right order.
Read moreSee all servicesPlanning a project? Let’s talk.
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