What is a mansard loft conversion?
A Mansard loft conversion is a type of extension that changes the shape of your roof for maximum internal space for a far larger usable living space. It involves altering the slope of one side of the roof to create a flat roof, with a slight downward pitch for drainage, and an almost vertical 72 degree inward-sloping wall where the windows are housed in small dormers.
The Mansard conversion is typically built at the rear of the property but can sometimes be added to the front, subject to local planning policies and neighbouring precedents, and is a popular choice for period properties and loft conversions in cities like London.
This Mansard roof design is named after 17th-century French architect François Mansard and is known for its elegant, space-enhancing structure.
Key Features of a Mansard roof
- Most popular on period properties and homes in urban areas.
- Ideal for semi-detached and terraced houses, especially where space is limited.
- Maximises space in character lofts while maintaining their architectural style
- If your property has Permitted Development rights, you can build under a Certificate of Lawfulness. If not, planning permission will be required.
Other Types of Mansard Loft Conversions
-
L-shaped Mansard loft conversion
-
Double Mansard loft conversion
-
Mansard loft conversion with Dormer
-
Mansard loft conversion with roof terrace
There are various other loft types available so we’d always recommend looking over our full range of options or contacting our team to discuss the most suitable type of loft conversion for your property.
Benefits of a mansard loft conversion
This loft type is one of the most effective ways to gain usable headroom and extra living space, whether that’s for a bedroom, bathroom, office, play area or something different.
- Offers more usable space than other loft types.
- Blends well with period architecture.
- Often preferred by planning officers in London and the Home Counties over rear dormer conversions.
To better understand the pros and cons of a Mansard Loft Conversion, check out our blog.
Exterior finish options
To ensure that your Mansard conversion compliments the original property, we match all exterior finishes to what is present as best as possible. The exterior finish of your Mansard loft conversion can either be brick, tile or slate hung. The tile or slate will be chosen on site so that they match the existing roof as close as possible. If you decide on brick, the brick used will be the equivalent of the existing brickwork. Other external finishes such as fascia’s, soffits, gutters and windows will also be matched as close as possible with the rest of the property.
Will you need planning permission?
If your property has permitted development rights, you can build a Mansard conversion under a Certificate of Lawfulness. This certificate means that, as long as you build within the council’s guidelines, you do not need to wait for the application to be approved before work commences.
If you do not have permitted development rights, you will need to obtain planning permission. With planning permission, you cannot start work until it has been granted. Once a planning application is received by your council, it usually takes around 8 weeks for a decision to be made.
Here at The Loft Room, we will ascertain exactly which permission is needed and will submit the relevant applications on your behalf to obtain the correct approval.
FAQs
Call us now for a FREE no-obligation quotation on 0800 002 9291
