Most London houses have a roof space that's doing nothing. A loft conversion can turn it into a bedroom, a home office or a bathroom, usually without giving up any garden.
Loft types
- Roof-light (Velux-style) lofts: the simplest, keeping the roof shape and adding windows.
- Rear dormers: the most common in London terraces, adding full-height space at the back.
- Hip-to-gable: for semis and end-of-terrace houses with a sloping side roof.
- Mansard lofts: a larger option that usually needs planning permission.
The parts that matter
A good loft is mostly about the bits you don't see: new floor joists and steels, a safe stair that meets the regulations, fire protection for the escape route, and proper insulation and ventilation so the room stays comfortable in summer and winter.
Lofts always need building regulations approval. Our guide on loft conversion rules explains planning, building regs and party walls in plain English.
