26 Nov Loft Conversion in Portsmouth

Loft Conversions in Portsmouth

One of our latest loft conversions in Portsmouth.  A semi-detached house with an existing hip side pitch roof.  Total removal of the existing roof and replaced with new rafters.  A front flat roof dormer, a large rear flat roof dormer and a gable brick wall construction.  This loft was converted into a large living/ viewing room with sights across Portsmouth and Solent.  The rear elevation has a large flat roof dormer with views of Portsdown hill.  

Front elevation at the start of loft conversion.

Erecting the scaffold about a week before the start date.  Scaffold may interfere or block any satellite signals.  A temporary location for the satellite dish may be required.  Preparing the site and making the area a safe environment before work commences.

Precise measurements are taken prior to commencement of the loft conversion.  The steels support the roof and the new floor.  Structural calculations are carried out during the preliminary stages of the design.  Inserting the RSJ steels in the correct position is absolutely crucial.  This will affect the size of the room and the ceiling height.

We have over 20 years experience designing and constructing loft conversions.

Inserting the steels.

Dormer Construction

The rear elevation dormer will have a huge impact on the design of your loft conversion.  Usually spanning the entire width of the property.  This opens up a whole different perspective to the loft conversion.  The flat roof must have a slight fall so rain water can drain adequately.  A rain water guttering system with downpipes are also fitted.   Three layers of high quality solar reflective mineral felt is applied to the top section.  A 10 year leak free guarantee is issued upon completion.  The sides are usually tile hung with small plain roof tiles.  All roof tiles can be seen in the roof brochure on our dormer page.  

If you have an existing extension or conservatory special ladder beams are used.  These beams span the entire width of the property so the rear dormer and roof to the loft conversion can be safely constructed.

Rear elevation of loft conversion, flat roof dormer under construction.

Front Elevation

Front elevation of loft conversion, flat roof dormer under construction.

Rubble chutes are used to remove unwanted material and debris generated from the loft conversion.  This will be safely disposed of in a skip and taken away.  

Front elevation of loft conversion, new clay roof tiles throughout. 15 year leak free guarantee with all our new roof tile work.

Interior during loft conversion in Portsmouth. The rear elevation flat roof dormer under construction.

The insertion of laminated safety glass by means of crane.

Steady goes it !

Glass is becoming more and more popular with staircases, giving an ultra modern contemporary look.  Special templates are made and sent to our glass manufacturer for production.  All glass is 10mm in thickness and heat treated to ultimate tensile strength (toughened).  Safety glass is tempered which increases the strength compared to normal glass.  An extremely high impact will make the glass break (a whopping 15,000 psi) into tiny small granular pieces instead of splintering into jagged shards as normal glass does.  The granular chunks are less likely to cause injury.

Staircase has oak handrail with 10mm toughened glass panels.

Oak is the choice of quality and beauty when it comes to interior design.  A subtle piece of oak handrail and pyramid newel caps can give your loft conversion the wow factor that won’t break the bank!.

Staircase has oak handrail with 10mm toughened glass panels. Stainless steel brackets.

Loft conversion completed with views across Portsmouth.

Loft conversion completed with views across Portsdown Hill, Portsmouth.

The finished room with views across Portsdown hill.  The window unit is floor to ceiling, made from safety glass and a protective laminated layer.

Rear elevation flat roof dormer.

The rear elevation flat roof dormer has new terracotta clay plain tiles with crisp clean edges, neat and tidy lines that flow simultaneously throughout.  A breathable membrane/ vapour barrier is fitted to reduce moisture levels under the tiles.  Fully insulated with latest in technology materials, meeting all current building regulation requirements.  Thermal and reflective material giving you total confidence in the performance of the insulation.  Reducing heating bills and saving energy.  

Front elevation flat roof dormer.

The front elevation of the design is important.  The street scene is taken into consideration for planning permission.  A well proportionate size dormer must be designed to be a successful planning application.  As mentioned on our Designing Your Loft Conversion page, front elevation pitched roof dormers are preferred by the Planning Department.  However, if there are other properties in the area that already have front flat roof dormers then a president has been set.  This particular loft conversion has a large square double bay window.  Liaising with the planning department it was agreed that this design was acceptable and planning permission was granted.