What is a Hip to Gable Loft Conversion?

Most houses have a ‘hipped’ roof with a side that slopes downwards which can mean limited options for a decent sized loft conversion.

Hip to gable loft conversions offer a solution to this by extending the property on the sloping side, which in essence replaces the sloping roof with a vertical wall (the gable) so increasing the height and length of your loft. The extra space created can then be used for anything from a new bedroom, playroom, lounge, office or entertaining area.

Is planning permission needed for this type of loft conversion?

Usually not. This is because UK homeowners are allowed to make small developments or extensions to their property under permitted development  without needing to tell their Local Authority.

However, it’s still worth checking with your Local Authority to make sure. This is because you might find you need planning permission if you have already made some permitted developments, like a previous extension or conservatory on your home, or if your roof conversion is going to be especially large.

Is my property suitable for a Hip to Gable Loft Conversion?

If your home is either semi-detached or detached and has a hip end roof, then a hip to gable loft conversion is well worth considering. They are ideal for chalets and bungalows too.

The benefits of this type of loft extension on a bungalow is clear, as you’re effectively adding an ‘upstairs’ along with all the lovely extra space this offers. However, be careful if you decide to extend a single storey property like this, as it may be that the frame of the building wouldn’t be able to cope with the additional strain a conversion will heap on it so much more structural work would be required.

The essential thing is that the roof must have enough height between the top ridge and the joists of the ceiling below to make the new space useable. If there’s not enough height in the existing roof, a hip to gable loft conversion is not the best solution and it would be worth thinking about another type of loft conversion instead.

Speak to us at R&B Builders today

If you live in the Oxford or Abingdon areas we would love to hear from you. Here at R&B we have many years of experience in all types of loft conversion and our standards of work are second to none. Simply contact us today for a no obligation quote.