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Down
With over 35 years experience in Architecture I established GT Building Design in 2004. I will guarantee you expertise and a reliable, professional service. Based in the seaside town of Donaghadee, County Down, GT Building Design provides architectural designs throughout Northern Ireland. At GT Building Design, my goal is to take care of all your architectural design requirements, whether you require plans drawn for obtaining planning permission or building control approval. I specialise in residential designs and can help with your extension, attic conversion, alterations, or new build. Please contact me for advice, no obligation.
Not all attics are suitable for conversion and issues may prevent conversion being a practical solution to gaining more space, issues such as:
- There is not enough height to enable you to stand comfortably within the attic space
- The attic space is not large enough to provide a suitable habitable space
- There are services passing through the attic space which may be difficult to relocate.
- There is insufficient space to locate a suitable fixed stair on the floor level below to access the attic conversion
Where the intended use is to store lightweight items such as suitcases, general household items, etc., then the provision of loose boarding is generally satisfactory. An application would not be required in such circumstances, provided that the access to the area is by ladder and not by a new or fixed staircase. NOTE: Trussed rafter roofs are not designed to include loading even from storage of domestic household items
1. An inspection of the inside of the roof space will provide information as to its suitability for conversion. The main features to initially consider include height, access and obstacles. Often a water storage tank and chimney stacks form the main obstacles.
2. Following a site inspection I can confirm the loft’s suitability for conversion with advice also taken from a Structural Engineer. Following this, plans are drawn which can also provide a basis for a cost estimate.
3. With Building Control approval, work can be started by clearing the loft space. Often the water storage tank can be made redundant if a new combi boiler is fitted. If this is still required then it will need to be moved to a convenient space to the side. Chimney stacks often need taken down to ceiling level.
4. The electrical wiring and other services that are attached to joists and binders must be removed and rerouted. It provides a good opportunity to replace and improve the original wiring. This requirement is likely to mean that some services may not be available until the new wiring and any pipework can be replaced.
5. The new floor joists can then be fitted. The actual sizes will depend upon the spans, but might typically be 50mm x 220mm spaced at 400mm centres. New wiring and any required pipework can then be installed.
6. The spaces between the joists are filled with insulation to a depth of 100mm. Following Building Control inspection, the joists can be covered with floorboards. The roofing struts and hangers are temporary but securely reinstalled until suitable replacement arrangements are in place.
7. The tongue-and-groove chipboard floorboards are held in place with screws. A water-resistant grade is a good choice, and essential in the bath or shower room.
8. Work can then be started in rafter reinforcement in accordance with the structural requirements, so that the purlins, struts and collars can be safely removed. This will open up the area.
9. Dormer windows (or rooflights) can then be installed. Dormer windows offer more headroom and require more work, rooflights do cost less. Installation will involve opening up the roof, so dry weather is desirable to avoid the risk of water damage. The Building Control officer will inspect to ensure that the roof structure reinforcements are as specified. Roof windows are an effective way of letting in natural light.
10. The point at which the staircase is fitted will depend upon individual circumstances, but when in place provides full access to the loft area. Sometimes the hallway needs to widened to locate the new stair.
11. The dormers are tiled and clad to fully weatherproof them. Scaffolding will be required for safe working. Ridge and soffit vents may need fitted at a convenient stage.
12. The windows are fitted and should provide an easy fire exit in the event of an emergency.
13. Insulation is placed between the rafters and the design needs to provide adequate ventilation in accordance with Building Regulations. Building Control inspection is required before the rafters and insulation are covered.
14. The partition (stud) walls are erected with a sound insulation quilt placed within the wall before the plasterboard is attached.
15. Wall plates fitted between studs will provide a secure fitting to items like radiators; they can also be used to secure the boxes required for electric sockets and switches. This is an ideal time to do the first fix electrics and plumbing.
16. The new electrics must conform to Building Regulations and the current edition of the Electrical Regulations. It may be necessary to fit a new consumer unit, or additional unit if the existing one has no extra capacity.
17. Access panels are a useful addition. Here, water supplies and central heating feeds can be connected to the loft conversion.
18. Plasterboard is then attached to the studs and rafters before the decorative plaster skim finish. Following this, the area is painted as required, and door architrave, skirting etc. fitted and painted.
19. Any shower room, bathroom or en-suite will also require an extractor fan to be fitted.
20. Any wall and floor tiling is then completed, the shower room items can be positioned and fitted. Second fix electrics and plumbing is progressed at a suitable time. The radiators are fitted in place, and connected to the central heating system.
21. Finally its time to decorate and enjoy!
Helping my clients to extend, improve or build their new dream homes is very rewarding and I'm delighted to help.
I prefer and specialise in residential architecture and started my own practice GT Building Design in 2004 to move away from commercial work. There is no greater reward than knowing that my Clients are delighted with their home improvements.
I am a fully qualified member of the Chartered Institute of Architectural Technologists (CIAT) and as a member adhere to the CIAT's Code of Conduct at all times.
Deciding to build a new house, extend or refurbish your home is a major decision that can be expensive and daunting. You will encounter a minefield of planning policies, building regulations, cost implications and design issues on even the smallest of projects. All of these will determine what you can do and how you go about doing it.
I understand the true value and significance of any investment and will be committed to finding the best approach to suit my Clients needs by balancing good design, budget and what the end value of your property will be. I can be appointed to provide as little or as much support as needed.
Most of my work can be online, remotely carried out except for the initial measured survey to produce existing drawings.
We all need to stay safe and social distancing is often the key. Most of my work can be carried out through telephone calls & emails.
