Lower 1st fl bedroom ceiling to covert loft? Post Reply

[siying]

We are planning to convert our loft to bedroom with en-suite in our terraced house. Our structure engineer has advised us to lower the ceiling of the first floor bedroom for about 15cm to allow enough height in the loft. I just wonder if any of you have done similar things when converted the loft, is it a necessary thing to do? How much extra would it cost? Thank you

[Gemma281]

We have just done this on recommendation from our builder. We had fairly high ceilings anyway so it hasn't made a huge difference in the 1st floor bedroom but is well worth it to get the extra head height in the loft room. We also had our roof ridge raised slightly (had to get planning permission for this) which also helped.

Not sure how much this cost as its part of a larger project but I don't think it was unreasonable for the benefit it gives.

Good luck with your project!

[belld]

hi,
as architects we notify clients that this can be a good option to make the loft feel like a normal height space, especially when the existing ridge is not as high as we would like.
You can raise the ridge approx 250mm so long as you do it in the same plane as the roof front (subject to planning and if in conservation area etc) - and make sure your builder avoids putting in an awful step up here which a lot of bodgers do.
Also: only do this if you still have enough height over your windows to install curtain rails. you can locally create step ups around windows. we have done this previously, as you install a steel approx 1m from the front wall.
I would suggest you clear all your first floor rooms as the dust will get everywhere.
demolishing the first floor ceiling turns a standard loft conversion into a more major build. I would suggest you move out - which would add a few £ks.
Builder would need to charge for more waste removal, and more plasterboard and to refinish rooms at first floor etc. Builder should be able to identify a clear fixed cost for you.
www.atelierdb.com

[topmama]

We did this a few years ago. All the houses around us do the same if they want to convert the loft since the pitch of the roof is not high enough. We lowered the ceilings in the front two bedroom and lived in the back bedroom while the work was being done. It was very dusty and cost more than a standard loft conversion but not that much more. I am not sure of the exact cost since it was part of other building work. I believe it is very common when you have a lower roof pitch.

[siying]

thank you for all the kind reply, much appreciated

We got the planning approval to do the loft extension but I am not sure if it includes raising the ridges.

Agree with you all, with a curious toddler, we plan to live somewhere else while doing the work.

[juliantenniscoach]

We did our loft but didn't lower the front room. Wish we had

[kingswoodlady]

This is all really interesting as we are shortly starting a loft conversion with Simply Lofts and will be lowering our ceiling by approx 30cm. We are moving out. I've got a question about the finish: once the ceiling is lowered the space between the picture rail and the new ceiling will only be about 15cm. I was thinking of removing the picture rail and then finishing the new ceiling with a simple cornice. For those who have had their ceilings lowered how did you finish the look?

Thanks

[LP73]

We've just done a loft conversion as part of a huge refurbishment and lowered the ceiling of our second floor as it helped with the space.
As we ripped everything out cost wise it didn't make much difference but we did have to move a steel which cost money.
The best thing that you can do is chat to your structural engineer about this as he will know where the steels are (or you can get them from the previous drawings of the house if you have them).
Due to what we've done we've had new joists put it, thicker ones as the joists that the house were built with were a lot thinner than used now and gave a lot of 'bounce' in the floor - now it won't bounce or creak!
Find a builder who is used to doing such a project and also one who will manage everything for you. You don't need an architect to manage a project (I am sure you know) as it will cost you on average 15% more than using a builder.
If you wanted to see ours or would like the name of our builder Drop me a PM?
Best of luck.