Dormer loft conversions
A dormer builds out from the roof slope with upright walls and a roof of its own, turning the low, sloping edges of the loft into floor space with full head height.
Loft conversion types for Nottinghamshire homes
Eight ways to turn your roof space into a proper room. Here’s what each one involves, which homes it suits and how the planning rules apply across Nottinghamshire.
Quick guide
Which conversion suits your house?
Your house type narrows the choice quickly. These are the usual starting points for Nottinghamshire homes; we confirm what yours allows when we survey.
If you haveA Victorian or Edwardian terrace with a rear outrigger
ConsiderL-shaped dormer
Dormers over the main roof and the outrigger, joined up, with room for a bedroom and a bathroom.
If you haveA terrace without an outrigger
ConsiderRear dormer
A full-width dormer across the back, leaving the front roofline as it is.
If you haveA semi with a hipped roof
ConsiderHip to gable with a rear dormer
The hipped side becomes a gable, and the dormer adds height across the back.
If you haveA semi with a gabled roof
ConsiderRear dormer
There’s no hip to convert, so a dormer on its own is normally enough.
If you haveA bungalow
ConsiderRear dormers or roof windows
Often a room or two upstairs, with the front of the bungalow left unchanged.
If you haveA loft with plenty of height already
ConsiderVelux conversion
Roof windows in the existing slope, with no change to the roof’s shape.
If you haveA home in a conservation area
ConsiderPitched dormer or roof windows
Smaller, traditional designs suit the street better, and a dormer needs planning permission.
If you haveA need for the most space possible
ConsiderMansard
The rear roof rebuilt as a steep wall, almost always with full planning permission.
Conversion types
Every type of loft conversion
Four have their own pages here, with what they involve in Nottinghamshire. The others are covered on our main website.
Hip to gable loft conversions
The sloping side of a hipped roof is rebuilt as an upright gable wall. With a rear dormer too, a cramped loft becomes a full-sized room.
Mansard loft conversions
The rear roof is rebuilt as a steep wall, typically at 72 degrees, under an almost flat top: the most space of any loft conversion.
Velux loft conversions
Roof windows set flush into the existing slope bring in daylight without changing the shape of your roof. The simplest way to convert a tall loft.
Also available
- Rear dormer loft conversionsA full-width box across the rear roof slope
- L-shaped dormer conversionsTwo linked dormers forming an L in plan view
- Pitched roof dormersA small gabled roof over each dormer window
- Shell loft conversionsStructure and weatherproofing done, fit-out left to you
These open on our main website, topmarkconversions.co.uk.
At a glance
The options side by side
A starting point only. We’ll confirm what your loft and your council allow when we survey.
| Conversion | What changes | Typically suits | Planning |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dormer loft conversions | A box extension built out from the roof slope | Most pitched roofs, on terraced, semi-detached and detached homes | Often permitted development; needs permission in a conservation area |
| Hip to gable loft conversions | The sloping hip rebuilt as a vertical gable wall | Semi-detached, end-of-terrace and detached homes with a hipped roof | Often permitted development; needs permission in a conservation area |
| Mansard loft conversions | A steep 72° rear wall with a flat roof above | Terraced and period homes, where you want the most space | Almost always needs full planning permission |
| Velux loft conversions | Roof windows set flush into the existing slope | Lofts that already have enough head height | Usually permitted development; building regulations still apply |
| Rear dormer loft conversions | A full-width box across the rear roof slope | Terraced and semi-detached houses | Often permitted development; needs permission in a conservation area |
| L-shaped dormer conversions | Two linked dormers forming an L in plan view | Victorian and Edwardian terraces with a rear outrigger | Often permitted development; needs permission in a conservation area |
| Pitched roof dormers | A small gabled roof over each dormer window | Period and character homes, and conservation areas | Often permitted development; needs permission in a conservation area |
| Shell loft conversions | Structure and weatherproofing done, fit-out left to you | Homeowners who want to fit out the room themselves | Depends on the roof work; often permitted development |
How it works
From first call to finished room
What happens when you convert your loft with us, step by step.
- 01
Get in touch
Call, WhatsApp or send the form, and tell us a little about your home and what you’d like the space for.
- 02
Survey and advice
We look at your loft, the roof structure and where the stairs could go, and recommend the conversion that suits.
- 03
Your free quote
You get a detailed quote that includes building control fees, so you know the costs from the start.
- 04
Design and approvals
We draw up the plans, arrange the structural calculations and building control, and handle planning if it’s needed.
- 05
The build
Steelwork, stairs, roofing, insulation, plumbing and electrics, in a set order. In most cases you can stay at home throughout.
- 06
Sign-off
The finished room is signed off by building control and handed over, ready to use.
FAQs
Choosing a conversion type
Which loft conversion gives the most space?
A mansard, because it replaces the whole rear slope with a near-vertical wall. After that, an L-shaped dormer or a hip to gable with a rear dormer usually gives the most room. Velux conversions add the least space, as the roof stays the same shape.
Can I combine more than one type?
Yes. The most common combination is a hip to gable with a rear dormer, which gives full headroom across most of the loft. An L-shaped dormer is itself two dormers joined together, and roof windows are often added to any conversion for extra light.
Will my council accept a flat-roofed dormer?
Outside conservation areas, a flat-roofed rear dormer is often permitted development, so no application is needed. Where permission is needed, councils look harder at the design: Ashfield, for example, says a dormer should never look like a large flat-roofed box, and Nottingham City prefers dormers that line up with the windows below.
Can a bungalow loft be converted?
Often, yes. Many bungalows can gain a room or two with rear dormers or roof windows, keeping the front unchanged. Steep-roofed chalet bungalows may have enough height for roof windows alone.
Still have a question? Call 07925 891 170 or send us a message.
Free quote
Book your free loft conversion quote
Tell us a little about your home and what you have in mind for the space.
What happens next
- 1We read your enquiryWe go through what you’ve told us about your home and your plans.
- 2We get back to youSomeone from our team will be in touch to talk things through and answer your questions.
- 3We arrange your free quoteWe look at your loft, confirm what your roof allows and send you a detailed quote.