Loft Conversion In Chesterfield

Chesterfield Loft Conversion

We have recently commenced work on a fantastic loft conversion on this detached property in New Whittington, Chesterfield, Derbyshire.

This loft conversion has been designed for a master bedroom with en-suite bathroom and we are also installing a pitch roof dormer to the rear elevation and installing 3 Velux windows.

We will be posting more images and news on this Chesterfield loft conversion over the next few weeks.

The loft conversion is the 3rd loft conversion we have started in Chesterfield in the last 8 weeks. If you live in Chesterfield and would like a free home survey and proposal, please give us a call on 0114 2352282 to arrange an appointment.

Steel beams designed to Building Regulations being installed in a modern truss loft in Barlborough, Chesterfield

Loft Conversion, Building Regulations, Information & Guidelines

Loft conversions are becoming more and more popular. The reason being…. the housing market is still very unpredictable, mortgage lenders have tightened up on who they are lending money to therefore people can’t afford to move house.

So what happens if you are a family that’s growing and you are running out of living space ?

The Answer …. Stay put and extend your existing home. You could look at building a huge extension on the side or the rear of your property, but this is a very expensive, messy and disruptive way of gaining extra space, not to mention losing your drive way or garden for the new building.

Instead why not choose a loft conversion. They are more cost effective, there’s less disruption and you don’t loose your drive way or garden.

The thing is loft conversions have become a specialist area within the building industry, due to the complex building and fire regulations. Loft conversions must only be carried out by companies who have vast experience in the design and construction of a loft conversion.

DIY loft conversions have now become illegal and no matter what any old builder says they must not be contemplated. Building and fire regulations are there for a good reason, to protect you and your family. If anyone says you don’t need building regulations for a loft conversion or provides you with a very cheap price they do not know what they are doing.

In brief building and fire regulations covers the structural element of a loft conversion, the insulation and thermal value of a loft conversion, the headroom or finished ceiling height in a loft conversion and the fire protection in a loft conversion.

The image above shows us installing the structural steel beams into a loft conversion in Chesterfield. As you can see this is a very very important part of a loft conversion as this process is what is going to hold your new floor and your roof in place. So please be aware for builders or loft conversion companies who say you don’t need building regulations for loft conversions.

The link below is a guide line from Sheffield City Council on the Building and Fire regulations please have a quick look as you really need to know what regulations are required for your loft conversions.

http://www.sheffield.gov.uk/planning-and-city-development/building-regulations/additional-guidance/copy-of-loft-conversions

Velux windows being fitted in a loft conversion in Halfway, Sheffield

Installation of Velux windows

Velux windows are a fantastic way of flooding your loft conversion with natural daylight. The give the sense of space, light and can be fitted side by side as in the image above to form a feature window in any loft conversion

These velux windows are being fitted into  a modern truss loft conversion in Halfway in Sheffield. They are forming part of a master bedroom that also includes an en-suite shower room.

There are different style of Velux windows and different sizes. We do not fit the center pivot Velux windows as a Velux window is usually fitted at a height  you can see out of. If you have a Velux window that pivots inwards you could bang your head on it.

We only fit the higher specification GHL top hung Velux window as these Velux window open upwards outside the roof slope ( see the above image ) These windows are more practical and form a feature within your new rooms. They also spin inside out for the ease of cleaning the external pane of glass.

We believe that if you are having Velux windows in your loft conversion you need to maximize the size of the Velux window. There is no point in have small Velux windows installed into your loft conversion as you are not going to maximize the daylight coming through the Velux window.

We always fit large Velux windows, our most popular size window is the GHL MO8. The size of the Velux window is 1400 mm in height x 780 mm in width.

To find out more about the different styles and sizes of Velux windows, visit the Velux window website at www.velux.com

Erecting stud partition walls in a loft conversion in Chesterfield

Planning permission for loft conversions

Planning permission is not normally required. However, permission is required where you extend or alter the roof space and it exceeds specified limits and conditions.

Under new regulations that came into effect from 1 October 2008 a loft conversion for your house is considered to be permitted development, not requiring an application for planning permission, subject to the following limits and conditions:

• A volume allowance of 40 cubic metres additional roof space for terraced houses*
• A volume allowance of 50 cubic metres additional roof space for detached and semi-detached houses*
• No extension beyond the plane of the existing roof slope of the principal elevation that fronts the highway
• No extension to be higher than the highest part of the roof
• Materials to be similar in appearance to the existing house
• No verandas, balconies or raised platforms
• Side-facing windows to be obscure-glazed; any opening to be 1.7m above the floor
• Roof extensions not to be permitted development in designated areas**
• Roof extensions, apart from hip to gable ones, to be set back, as far as practicable, at least 20cm from the eaves

*Bear in mind that any previous roof space additions must be included within the volume allowances listed above.
**Planning permission may be required if your property is in designated areas include national parks and the Broads, Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty, conservation areas and World Heritage Sites.

Does your loft look like this ?

If your loft looks like this you have hit the jackpot

We convert the modern truss lofts that builders and architects say can’t be converted, using our very own State-of-the-Art ReSteel System.

If your roof space is filled with tonnes of W-shaped wooden roof rafters, we can still build you the home of your dreams with our uniquely developed ReSteel System. A combination of innovative design and the very latest technologies, we use high-tensile steel beams that allows us to remove the W-shaped rafters and open up your loft to create the space needed for your new loft conversion.

These steel beams are fitted within the new floor structure and are not seen. The beams are specially designed by our structural engineer and manufactured for each individual loft conversion project and our work is fully compliant with most stringent building regulations (It’s actually stronger than before!)

Modern truss loft conversion in Totley, Sheffield S17

Loft conversions in Sheffield

We have just commenced work on a modern truss loft conversion in Totley, Sheffield. This detached property was build by David Wilson Homes and is the 62nd loft conversion we have undertaken on a David Wilson Homes property.

This modern ‘W’ truss roof is being transformed into a master bedroom with a large feature bathroom. We are installing 9 Velux windows to take in the amazing view from the loft.

Modern truss loft conversions usually make the best types of loft conversion due to the sizes of modern houses being larger than traditional houses and they also have a great deal more of headroom.

If you have a large loft space and would like some free help and advice on how to maximize the space please give us a call and speak to a member of our team who will answer any questions you may have.

We will be posting more images of the huge loft conversion over the coming weeks.

Removal of the W shaped trusses

Modern truss loft conversion in Lodge Moor, Sheffield 10

Once our structural steel beams have been fitted and the existing roof structure is now fully supported, we can now start to remove the W shaped trusses to open up the loft and create the space we need.

The W shaped truss are removed in a certain sequence and should only be removed by experienced and competent  joiners. This is the most important procedure in any loft conversion as this is where you are removing the original structural.

Modern truss loft conversions should only be converted by a specialist loft conversion company who has experience and knowledge in working with these roof structures. General builders and even some loft conversion companies will not touch W shaped modern truss lofts because of there complex and complicated structure.

If you have a W shaped modern truss loft and are contemplating a loft conversion, please feel free to speak to us and we will give you some free help, advice and answer any questions you may have.

Fitting of a staircase to a loft conversion in Chesterfield

Loft conversion in Chesterfield

All our staircase are individually manufactured in our own factory. We do not buy off the shelf staircases from local builders merchants like most loft conversion companies do.

The dimensions of your staircase are fed into our state of the art CAD system that will design your new staircase to maximize the space on both levels.

All staircase have to comply to building regulations and have to be 42 degrees in pitch.

We also manufacture the newel posts and balustrade to match your existing staircase so the new staircase will look like its always been there.

All our staircases are assembled in our factory and then checked to make sure they comply to building regulations.

The staircase is then delivered to your house for installation.

Because the staircase has already been assembled in our factory the new staircase is fitted and ready to walk up within 6 hours of being delivered.

That’s why we are Yorkshires finest craftsmen

Need more space

Need more space, choose Restyle

Need a larger house ?

Our new marketing campaign is under way….

Have we gone mad ? ……..

We want to get our message across to family’s who  are struggling for space so we have decided to be loud and colourful by featuring a gold fish on our vans.

Our point is why waste money on moving house. Stamp duty, solicitors costs and removals fees.

It cost a small fortune to move house. Save the money and invest it in your home with a stunning loft or garage conversion from Restyle.

We can save you thousands ££££ and still create the extra space you and your family needs and unlike moving house its all stress free.

Please let us know what you think of our new marketing plan either send us an email or give us a call.

Also if you have any ideas of a name for our fish, please let us know.

Steel beams being fitted in a modern truss loft conversion in Sheffield

Modern truss loft conversion in Sheffield

In modern built houses the loft is full of W shaped roof trusses that need to be removed to enable the loft space to be opened up. However the W shaped trusses are holding up the entire roof structure as well as the ceilings at 1st floor level.

So if we remove these W shaped truss whats holding the roof and ceilings up ?

We have to put the strength back into the roof by installing individual designed steel beams. These beams are uniquely designed by our own structural engineer and comply to the most stringent building regulations.

Its essential that before any works commences in a loft conversion you have structural engineers calculations and building regulations approval.

The image above shows our team of highly skilled steel fitters installing the steel beams in a loft conversion in Lodge Moor, Sheffield.

If you are thinking of undertaking any loft conversion, please speak to a specialist loft conversion company who should explain all the key stages of a loft conversion to you. Employing inexperienced builders to undertake such complex operations could end up in disaster.

Please feel free to speak to a member of our team for free help and advice on any type of loft conversion.