What it is
Most lofts were never designed to be lived in. The ceiling joists are often too small to act as a floor, and the roof is held up by struts, purlins and ties that tend to sit exactly where you want the new room to be.
A loft conversion means designing a new floor, then a new way of supporting the roof once those old members are moved or removed. Add a dormer or roof window and the roof structure changes again. We design all of it, working with your architect or builder, so the finished room is safe, solid and buildable.
When you need it
- You're converting a loft into a bedroom, office or bathroom
- You're adding a dormer, or raising or altering part of the roof
- Your architect needs structural design for the conversion
- Your builder needs beam and joist sizes before they can price the work
What we provide
- An inspection of the existing roof, ceiling joists and supporting walls
- Design of the new floor joists, beams and trimmers around the stair opening
- Design of the roof support once struts and purlins are altered, and of any dormer framing
- Checks on the walls and foundations that will carry the extra load
- Calculations and drawings for your Building Warrant
How it works
- Discuss
We look at your plans or ideas for the space and the stair.
- Assess
We inspect the loft to see how the roof is currently held up.
- Design
We design the floor, the new roof support and any dormer framing, and check what's below.
- Draw
You get calculations and drawings your architect, builder and the council can work from.
- Support
We stay involved to answer site queries as the roof is opened up.
Typical deliverables
- Structural calculations
- Floor and roof framing drawings
- Steel beam details
- Building Warrant support
Questions people ask
Do I need a structural engineer for a loft conversion?
Almost always. Converting a loft into a room needs a Building Warrant in Scotland, and the new floor and the changes to the roof structure have to be designed and justified with calculations.
Draft answer for GCP to approveCan my existing ceiling joists be used as the floor?
Usually not on their own. Ceiling joists are typically sized only to carry a ceiling. New floor joists are normally added alongside or between them, but the right answer depends on the house, which is why we inspect first.
Draft answer for GCP to approveSee also: Homeowner guide: when you need a structural engineer