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.
Hip to gable loft conversions in Nottinghamshire
If your roof slopes down at the side as well as the front and back, building that side up into a straight gable wall is usually what turns a cramped loft into a full-sized room.
- Roof change
- The sloping hip rebuilt as a vertical gable wall
- Best for
- Semi-detached, end-of-terrace and detached homes with a hipped roof
- Often combined with
- A rear dormer, for full headroom across the loft
- Planning
- Often permitted development. Needs permission in a conservation area
What a hip to gable conversion involves
A hipped roof slopes on three or four sides, so the usable part of the loft shrinks to a narrow strip under the ridge. In a hip to gable conversion, the sloping side, the hip, is replaced with a vertical gable wall built up from the side wall of the house, and the roof is extended across to meet it.
On its own, that lengthens the loft considerably. It’s often combined with a rear dormer, which adds height across the back as well and gives you a room with full headroom from one end to the other.
We handle the drawings, structural calculations and building control, and build the new gable to match your house, so it looks as if it was always there.
Benefits
Why convert the hip
Squaring off the end of the roof opens up the whole length of the loft.
The full length of the loft
The gable wall squares off the end of the roof, so you can use the loft from one end to the other.
Space for the stairs
The extra room at the side often makes it easier to fit the new staircase above the existing one.
Pairs with a dormer
Combined with a rear dormer, it gives you full headroom across most of the loft.
Built to match
The new gable is finished to suit your house, so it looks part of the original building.
Key features
What your hip to gable conversion includes
Everything from the volume check to the final sign-off, in one quote.
- Survey and design drawings
- Permitted development volume check, or a planning application
- Structural calculations and steelwork
- New gable wall built up from the side wall
- Roof extended across to the new gable
- Rear dormer, if you’re having one
- New staircase up to the loft
- Insulation, boarding, electrics and plumbing
- Building control approval and sign-off
Step by step
How a hip to gable conversion is built
The gable and roof go up early, so the loft is weathertight before the inside is fitted out.
- 01
Survey
We look at the hip, the roof structure and the space for a staircase, and check how much volume you can add.
- 02
Design and approvals
Drawings, the permitted development volume check, structural calculations and building control are all arranged.
- 03
Structure and stairs
The steels and strengthened floor go in, followed by the new staircase.
- 04
Gable and roof
The gable wall is built up and the roof extended to meet it, with the rear dormer if you’re having one.
- 05
Inside the room
Insulation, boarding and plastering, then the electrics and plumbing are finished and the joinery fitted.
- 06
Sign-off
Building control signs the work off and the new room is handed over, ready to use.
Across Nottinghamshire
Hip to gable conversions across Nottinghamshire
Hipped roofs are common on Nottinghamshire’s semi-detached houses, from the 1930s semis of Beeston to the later estates that join Mansfield Woodhouse to Mansfield, and on many of the detached houses in Wollaton. On those homes, a hip to gable with a rear dormer is usually the way to gain proper headroom. Where a semi already has a gabled roof, there’s no hip to convert, and a rear dormer on its own is normally enough.
Outside conservation areas, a hip to gable is usually permitted development, provided the extra volume stays within the limit for the house. Inside one, it isn’t, so it needs planning permission. That applies to much of East Bridgford, the old centre of Mansfield Woodhouse, Beeston’s St John’s Grove and Wollaton’s Sutton Passeys, among many others.
Planning council by councilLoft conversion projects
A few of our finished conversions and the rooms inside them.
See all our workReviews
What homeowners say
5.0
5.0 out of 5 from 31 Google reviews
5 out of 5 stars
2 bed semi loft conversion completed to give 3rd bedroom with en-suite. Headroom was tight but in the end we finished with more than expected. Very happy with the overall space gained in a small house. Any minor issues along the way were rectified and the conversion was completed in good time. The team are always polite, helpful and trustworthy!
bing17 Google review, July 2024 5 out of 5 stars
What a superb job. We were worried about having our loft conversion done in Dec but we needn’t have been. Nothing was too much trouble. The lads worked hard and we were kept up to date at all times. We love our new room and en suite and can’t praise Mark, Brin, Conan and the Mikes enough. Graham did a superb job on the roof too. Thank you all so much.
Susan C. Google review, March 2024
FAQs
Hip to gable loft conversions: your questions
Is a hip to gable conversion permitted development?
Usually, as long as the extra roof volume stays within the national limit for your house, which is 40 cubic metres for a terraced house and 50 for a semi or detached house, and your home isn’t in a conservation area. It still needs building regulations approval, which we arrange.
Can a hip to gable be combined with a dormer?
Yes, and it often is. The gable opens up the side of the loft and a rear dormer adds height across the back, so together they give you a room with full headroom across most of the floor.
How long does a hip to gable conversion take?
Most loft conversions take between 6 and 12 weeks. A hip to gable can take longer because of the extra structural work, and we’ll give you a detailed timeline for your project.
Will the new gable match the rest of my house?
That’s the aim. We finish the gable to suit your home’s existing walls and roof, and permitted development itself requires materials similar in appearance to the house.
Still have a question? Call 07925 891 170 or send us a message.
Thinking about hip to gable loft conversions?
Tell us about your house and we’ll let you know what your roof and your council allow, with a free quote.
Other loft conversions
Not sure this is the right type for your home? Compare the alternatives.
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.
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.