Building Regulations for Loft Conversions
11/08/2010 | No comments
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.
