Structural Engineers for Loft Surveys
Structural engineering service London and the south east
Loft surveys and loft extensions.
Precise calculations and structural alterations.
No two lofts are alike
Planning a loft conversion in London? A structural survey will be essential.
No two lofts are alike and any structural alterations will require structural engineering services to:
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Ensure structural integrity of roof structure.
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All architectural plans comply with building regulations and building control submissions.
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Address any further construction and building concerns.
Head height is often a key factor in any loft conversion project. Particularly, if you intend to turn your loft into an additional living space.
AC Design Solutions are professional architectural and structural engineers.
We bring more than ten years experience in delivering residential projects, designed and constructed to highest standards of safety compliance.
Why your loft conversion requires structural engineering services
Structural engineers work with architects
Structural engineers specialise within the same broader discipline as civil engineers. They are also an essential part of the professional construction industry.
The specific expertise of structural engineers and structural building surveyors means they often work alongside architects, particularly on a house extension.
Precise calculations to instruct builders
At the project planning stage, structural surveys will be required for almost all types of structural alterations, including loft conversions.
A structural engineer will draw up precise calculations needed for building regulations, and to instruct builders on construction materials and method.
Ensure structural integrity of entire house
A residential loft conversion is not as straightforward as it may first appear.
The structural integrity of your property is at serious risk if alterations are attempted without the knowledge, expertise and experience of a fully trained and qualified structural engineer.
Loft conversions are intended to enlarge the space you already have. In most cases, structural alterations involve removal of beams and rafters to create the additional room space.
Correctly calculating and installing new supports are required not only for a loft conversion and new roof. But also to ensure structural integrity for the rest of the house.
Loft Conversion Stats
Nearly 1 in 7 ( 14 per cent) of planning applications for home improvement projects were loft conversions (Source: Barbour ABI, Jan-May 2020)
Online searches for loft conversions rose by 255 per cent and loft extensions by 58 per cent. (Source: Google Trends, Mar-Jul 2020)
What an engineer looks for with a structural survey
The two most common concerns a structural engineer will investigate when carrying out their survey are:
Ceiling joists
Ceiling joists are not floor joists. A ceiling joist is intended to support the roof not the load bearing weight of a living space.
Trussed Rafters
Many properties will have a roof built with trussed rafters. It’s easily recognised as a ‘W’ shaped system of timber beams occupying most of the interior space.
A loft conversion requires removing the beams – to be replaced with ‘A’ shaped beams to support the roof and flooring – while maintaining triangular support or risk making the roof unstable.
Planning Permission and Building Regulations
Not all loft conversions will require planning permission as they generally fall under ‘Permitted Developments’.
What is a Permitted Development?
Since 2019, a Permitted Development allows specific but limited house extensions such as:
Single storey side or rear extensions only.
Front porches and certain types of outbuildings.
Loft conversions are also included as a permitted development but NOT if a large loft conversion is planned.
You will need to obtain planning permission if your planned loft conversion exceeds regulatory limits and conditions, such as extending or altering your roof space beyond its current shape and dimensions.
Structural engineering surveys contain precise calculations, essential in obtaining planning approval for more ambitious loft conversion projects.
If you do require planning permission for a loft conversion, AC Design Solutions can help.
Which loft space for your residential property?
A structural engineering survey will help determine the type of loft space best suited for your particular residential property.
Typical types of loft conversions, include:
Roof-light conversion
Specialised windows installed into the roof to admit extra natural light and ventilation.
Dormer roof conversion
Box shaped structure (with 90 deg. walls) added to a pitched roof (slopes downwards) which increases both headroom and floor space.
Hip-to-gable conversion
Extends sloping ‘hip’ roof outwards at the side of a property to create a vertical ‘gable’ wall for more space. Requires a free sloping side roof, most usually found on semi -detached or detached houses.
Mansard conversion
Typically built to the rear of a property, running along the whole length of the roof.
A horizontal roof with an almost vertical 72-degree back wall creates a much larger loft space with room-shaped proportions.
Recent Projects
Quality Work. Affordable Rates.
Our prices are competitive and our service is high quality and professional at all times. Contact us today so that we can discuss your upcoming project and see what we can do to help guide you through the process.