LOFT CONVERSIONS FOR BUNGALOWS AND SINGLE-STOREY DWELLINGS
Bungalows are one of the most sought-after properties thanks to their potential for extension upwards and outwards. For families who are seeking extra space, they make a perfect home.
Most bungalows have a large floor plan and pitched roofs, so you will likely have up to 40 percent extra space available. By using the loft space or some of the outside area of the plot, you can really make the most of the footprint of your home.
For any loft conversation, you must have load-bearing walls. Typically bungalows built before the 1960s are prime for a roof build as they’re built with huge, open loft space, and many have good load-bearing walls capable of supporting another floor. They also benefit from steeply pitched roofs, so it’s unlikely that you’d need to install a dormer window.
If you discover that your bungalow has a shallow pitched roof, that doesn’t spell the end of your extension dreams. Bungalows with a shallower pitch can still be easily converted into double-story homes with the help of a loft conversion specialist.
Bungalow loft conversion staircases
You will lose a certain amount of space in a ground-floor room no matter where you place the stairs but the amount of space that you’ll gain on a second floor makes it absolutely worth it. Your loft conversion designer will be able to advise and solve any issues as well as minimise the space lost.
The position of your stairs is a key aspect of a great loft conversion in terms of design but safety is a vital part of introducing a staircase, therefore, they must comply with all rules set out in building regulations. You need to carefully consider the design of your stairs in order to make your conversion a success.
Where to position the stairs in a loft conversion
It’s important to think about headroom when considering the position of your loft conversion stairs. Building regulations state that there should be at least 2m of headroom above what is referred to as the pitch line of a staircase. The pitch line is an imaginary line that would follow the line of the outer edge of the treads if the staircase were to continue upwards. With loft conversions, however, the staircase headroom can be reduced slightly to 1.8m at the side of the stairs and 1.9m in the centre.
Due to these height restrictions, the highest part of the loft, in line with the roof ridge, is most likely to be the best position for the stairs to land. That said, the part of the loft is often the most useful area because of the height meaning this may not prove to be the best solution when trying to achieve the most spacious loft conversion possible. In this case, there are a few alternative options that will work while still complying with building regs. One very popular solution is to include a dormer window. This will give you sufficient headroom for your staircase while leaving you lots of really useful space in the rest of the loft.
Another significant issue you need to be conscious of is that staircases must meet fire safety standards and therefore be fitted with a fire door. This can either be located at the top of a small landing or at the bottom of the stairs. When it comes to a bungalow loft conversion, the building regulations for your project may be slightly different to those in a multi-storey property. It isn’t always possible to install a fire door in a bungalow conversion; therefore, you may need to add escape windows to the loft room.
Space-saving loft conversion stairs
If you’re struggling for space in your loft conversion, some space-saving staircases can fit where traditional stairs won’t. These are straight flights of stairs that have alternate treads and handrails for safety and are really compact. Not everyone finds these stairs comfortable, however. You’ll also need to bear in mind that they may not be signed off by your building regulations inspector, so you may want to check with them before installation.
What can bungalow loft conversions be used for?
Before any building work begins, it’s important to think about how you’ll use your new floor. There are so many options when it comes to how you can use an additional floor. Many people convert their lofts into upstairs bedrooms, which are often big enough to incorporate en suite bathrooms or possibly even a Jack and Jill bathroom between two bedrooms.
Another popular use is a home office or studio. The space lends itself perfectly as a workspace as it’s away from disturbances or distractions in other parts of the house. You could even turn your home “upside down” by moving your reception rooms upstairs. Here are some more great ideas for how you could use your brand-new space.
A new master suite, en suite, dressing rooms, whatever you can think of
Create a home office sanctuary
Add a home gym - a weights gym or yoga studio are great options
A spa-like bathroom for a touch of luxury
An extra living room or snug for cosy family evenings
Give the teens their own space with a games room or den to chill out in
Make memories with a home cinema
Stay clutter-free with storage solutions
Create a playroom for small people that you can transform as they grow
Don’t forget that when it comes to bungalow loft conversion ideas, you’ll want to consider how you’ll also use all of your repurposed downstairs rooms, too. Dreaming of a large open plan kitchen-diner? You’ll now have the ground floor space to create it. Need to use one of the old bedrooms for a playroom or study? You can. The best thing about a bungalow loft conversion is that it really opens up your home to new possibilities.
Whatever space you’re planning to gain from a bungalow loft conversion and however you plan to use it, contact us. We’re loft conversion specialists and can bring your bungalow loft conversion ideas to life to really transform your home into your dream two-story property.