Extending your home into the attic brings with it untold benefits, from added property value to extra space.
But whatever you plan to do with your loft conversion, whether turning it into a spare bedroom or creating a luxurious recreation space, ensuring that you select the conversion type best suited to your needs is crucial in determining overall success.
One style that is becoming ever more popular is the hip-to-gable loft conversion, providing the property meets the requirements needed for this type.
What is a Hip-to-Gable Conversion?
Essentially, a hip-to-gable conversion is exactly as it sounds: the hipped (sloping) side of the roof on many properties that lies perpendicular to the eaves is straightened into a vertical wall – the gable. The hip is raised to the same height as the ridge at the top of the roof.
Where both hips are straightened, this is known as a double hip-to-gable, and can create a generous amount of extra room in any loft, providing the property can accommodate this work.
As the work is fairly extensive, and structural elements will need altering, hip-to-gable conversions should always be carried out by experienced professionals, and will most likely occur during the loft conversion process.
Hip-to-gable conversions are occasionally paired with a rear dormer to further increase the space within the loft.
Benefits of a Hip-to-Gable Conversion
The primary advantage of a hip-to-gable conversion is the extra space that it creates. As a sloping ceiling is straightened out, this obviously adds extra headroom, and the opportunities for bigger furniture and a more adventurous floor layout are increased.
Hip-to-gable work can also help to extend an existing loft conversion, adding a small office to a bedroom or a leisure area to relax within.
Practical Considerations
Although planning permission to carry out home extensions is no longer necessary following a law change in 2008, whereby UK homeowners are now permitted to perform a small amount of structural work on their property without the need for authorisation, it is still worth checking whether your hip-to-gable conversion will require approval.
This is due to a few variables that govern the restructuring of particular buildings, particularly those in areas whose buildings are protected, or if your conversion is likely to add an especially large amount of volume to your home. Always consult your local authority before starting your conversion work.
Perhaps the most important consideration to make is whether or not a hip-to-gable conversion is possible on your home. Obviously, if your home is a mid-terrace, with adjoining neighbours either side, then this conversion type will not be possible. Similarly, if your property has been designed specifically with a hipped wall, there could be structural reasons that cannot be altered. Always consult a professional first.
For detached or semi-detached houses, however, a hip-to-gable conversion can be ideal for creating maximum space in your loft, and should always be considered when you decide to extend your home.
The experts at LMB Group are on hand throughout London, Croydon and the South East to provide advice and assistance regarding the type of conversion most suited to your requirements. Whether hip-to-gable or Mansard, our team have the skill and experience to take care of the whole project from design to sign off.
Get in touch with LMB Group today to arrange a free quotation.
