Which loft conversion type is right for your home?

There are six main types of loft conversions: dormer, mansard, l-shaped, hip-to-gable, Velux, and piggyback. The most suitable option for your home depends on the:

Height of your roof – determines how much usable space can be created
Shape and structure of your roof – affects which conversion types are feasible
Type of property – detached, semi-detached, or terraced
Available loft space – limits the size and layout of the conversion
Local planning permission regulations – may restrict certain designs
Budget – influences whether you choose a simple or larger-scale conversion
Intended use of the space – e.g. master bedroom, home office, bathroom, or multiple rooms

Every home is unique, so no single type of loft conversion suits all properties. A member of the Loft Room Team will recommend the best option based on your property’s requirements.

What are the different types of loft conversions?

Rear Dormer Conversion

A rear dormer conversion involves adding a box-shaped structure to the back of the existing roof. This structure extends vertically from the roof slope, creating significantly more headroom and usable floor space inside the loft. It is one of the most popular types of loft conversions because it maximises internal space without drastically altering the front appearance of the property. Rear dormers can accommodate features such as larger bedrooms, bathrooms, or home offices, making them a practical solution for homeowners looking to expand.

Other Types of Dormer Conversions

Other dormer styles include side dormers, pitched dormers, and L-shaped dormers. Each of these dormers styles can be combined with another dormer to create a larger loft space. For more information on the types of dormers conversions, take a look at our blog.

Best For

Properties with limited headroom.
Semi-detached, terraced houses, or bungalows.
Homes requiring a straightforward, cost-effective expansion.

Pros

Maximises your headroom and floor space
Usually more affordable than complex loft conversions
Provides excellent natural light and ventilation
Often falls under permitted development, reducing planning requirements

Cons

The flat roof requires consideration to waterproofing and insulation.
The box-like appearance may be less architecturally appealing than other dormer styles.
Structural reinforcement of the existing roof and floor may be required.

Mansard Conversion

A Mansard conversion involves replacing one or both roof slopes with a nearly vertical wall (approximately 72 degrees) topped with a flat roof, creating a spacious, rectangular interior. This loft type is commonly found in terraced homes across London and is often preferred by their local planning departments, as it tends to be complement with the original architectural style of the area.

Although this type of conversion is typically the most expensive due to the structural work involved, it provides an excellent way to add a significant amount of usable space. The side walls are usually constructed from brick to seamlessly blend with the existing structure, while the rear façade is often finished with slate or tiles to match the property’s character.

Best For

Period properties or homes in urban areas.
Properties with substantial planning allowances.
Maximising the loft space in areas with character.

Pros

Maximises usable loft space by creating near-vertical walls and a flat roof.
Suitable for creating multiple rooms such as bedrooms and bathrooms.
Can significantly increase property value due to the large amount of additional living space.
Allows for full-sized rooms with minimal sloping ceilings.

Cons

One of the more expensive loft conversion options.
Usually requires planning permission due to major roof alterations.
Construction can take longer compared to simpler loft conversions.
Involves significant structural changes to the roof.

Hip to Gable Conversion

This conversion extends a sloping (hipped) roof by building out a vertical wall (gable), increasing loft space and allowing for a more functional layout.

The new structure widens the loft area and improves headroom. This allows for more efficient room layouts and makes it easier to position furniture, storage, and stair access. Hip to gable conversions are often used as the first step in larger loft projects. They are commonly combined with rear dormer extensions to maximise the available space and create larger rooms.

The vertical gable wall also allows for larger windows, which can improve natural light and ventilation inside the loft.

Best For

Semi-detached or end-of-terrace homes with hipped roofs.
Properties needing more headroom and usable loft space.
Provides more flexible room layouts than standard dormer conversions.

Pros

Increases loft space by replacing a sloping roof with a vertical wall.
Ideal for semi-detached or end-of-terrace houses.
Provides greater headroom and usable floor area.
Can be combined with other conversions such as rear dormers for additional space.

Cons

More costly than simpler loft conversion types.
Planning permission may be required in certain locations.
Requires significant structural modifications.
Not suitable for mid-terrace houses with limited roof structure.

L-Shaped Dormer Conversion

An L-Shaped Dormer conversion combines two dormer extensions set at right angles, creating a distinctive L-shaped loft layout. This design typically involves extending both the main roof and a rear extension, resulting in a larger, versatile loft space with increased headroom.

Best For

Victorian or Edwardian terraced houses with rear additions.
Homes requiring multiple rooms in the loft (e.g. bedroom and bathroom etc).
Families seeking to expand their living space without moving house.

Pros

Creates a substantial amount of additional floor space.
Often large enough to accommodate two rooms or a bedroom with an ensuite.
Works well for Victorian and Edwardian terraced properties.
Provides good natural light through larger windows.

Cons

More expensive than a standard dormer conversion.
Not suitable for all property types or roof structures.
Planning permission may be required depending on the design.
Construction is more complex than single dormer conversions.

Velux Conversion

A Velux conversion, also known as a rooflight loft conversion, is one of the simplest ways to convert a loft into usable living space. This type of conversion involves installing skylight windows into the existing roof slope without altering the roof structure.

Because the roofline remains unchanged, the external appearance of the property is preserved. This makes Velux conversions particularly suitable for homes in conservation areas or locations where major structural changes may be restricted.

Best For

Homes with sufficient existing headroom and a steep roof pitch.
Conservation areas or listed buildings where structural changes are restricted.
Budget-conscious projects.

Pros

Typically the most affordable loft conversion option.
Requires minimal structural work to the existing roof.
Faster to complete than most other loft conversions.
Often falls under permitted development and may not require planning permission.

Cons

Does not increase the overall floor space.
Limited headroom due to the existing roof slope.

Piggyback Conversion

A piggyback loft conversion involves constructing a new roof structure on top of the existing one, effectively raising the overall roof height. By lifting the roof and building above the current structure, the loft can be transformed into a full upper floor with significantly more headroom and usable space.

This approach is typically used when the existing loft does not have enough height for a standard conversion. By increasing the roof height, the space can accommodate full-sized rooms with standard ceiling heights, making it feel more like a natural extension of the home rather than a converted attic.

Best For

Homes with insufficient headroom for standard loft conversions.
Detached or semi-detached properties with large rooflines.

Pros

Provides a significant increase in usable living space.
Suitable for large properties requiring multiple additional rooms.
Can greatly enhance the overall value of a property.
Allows for flexible layouts such as large bedrooms or suites.

Cons

One of the most expensive and complex loft conversion types.
Planning permission is almost always required.
Construction is structurally demanding.
Typically requires a longer build time.

Pitched Dormer Conversion

A pitched dormer conversion adds a small pitched-roof structure to the existing roof slope, increasing headroom and usable space while maintaining a traditional look. It blends well with the original architecture and provides better drainage than flat-roof dormers. This type of conversion is ideal for homeowners who want additional space without significantly altering the property’s overall roofline.

Best For

Properties where maintaining a traditional roofline is important.
Homes needing moderate space improvements rather than a full overhaul.
Areas with planning restrictions against flat-roof dormers.

Pros

Offers a more traditional and visually appealing roof design.
Better drainage due to the pitched roof structure.
Can blend more naturally with the existing architecture of the property.
Adds character to the roofline.

Cons

Provides less internal space compared to flat-roof dormers.
More expensive due to the complexity of construction.
More complicated to design and build.
Headroom may still be limited depending on the roof angle.

Side Dormer Conversion

A side dormer conversion adds a dormer structure to the side slope of the roof, creating extra headroom and usable floor space within the loft. It is particularly effective for homes with hipped or complex roof shapes, helping to open up smaller loft areas and improve the overall layout while allowing more natural light into the space.

Best For

Bungalows, detached, or semi-detached homes with hipped roofs.
Properties where expanding on the side improves functionality.
Great for smaller loft spaces needing targeted expansion.

Pros

Increases usable loft space and headroom.
Allows additional natural light through new windows.
Improves flexibility for room layouts.
Can be combined with rear dormers to maximise space.

Cons

More visible from the street than rear dormers.
May require planning permission depending on location and design.
Higher cost compared to simpler loft conversions.
Not suitable for properties with limited roof width.

Get in touch to discuss your loft conversion plans

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      EXCELLENT  
   Based on 407 reviews 
    
 
 
 
   
 
 
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   Sarah-Jane Westlake 
 28 October 2026
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Eddie, our main contractor, and his labourer Damian were an absolute joy to have on-site. Their professionalism, manners, and attention to detail were exceptional. Eddie’s workmanship is top-tier, and the speed and efficiency with which he executed the project were incredibly impressive. We absolutely love our new loft space, and the sheer quality of the construction delivered by Eddie and his brilliant on-site team completely earned this top rating.
If we were judging solely on The Loft Room side, this would have been closer to a 4-star review. Communication with the head office was sometimes a little haphazard, and there were some unexpected plumbing extras from early bathroom decisions that could have been made clearer by sharing an indicative plumbing "extras" cost upfront. We also received some inaccurate guidance from The Loft Room on paint quantities for the new bedroom and en-suite, which left us with far too much paint that couldn't be returned and the "free" decoration incentive was disappointing due to a poor finish and surly decorators.
Ultimately, though, a build is only as good as the person executing it. Eddie’s fantastic management, swift pace, and flawless execution completely outshone other frustrations. We couldn't be happier with the final result.
  
 
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   Sam Kemp 
 21 October 2026
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Dragos and his team did a great job for us. They provided a complete end to end service from design, architecture and planning permission, full loft construction and decorating.
Early on in the project, with the support of Dragos, we decided to make a fundamental change to the design. They took this in their stride with no material change to the cost.
The team were considerate, skilled, polite and reliable throughout the project.
I would thoroughly recommend The Loft Room to anyone considering a loft extension or major alteration.
  
 
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   Iain Russell 
 19 October 2026
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. From the moment we spoke to Maggie, we felt The Loft Room was the right company for us. The whole admin team (Maggie, Melissa, Helen and Ciara) are warm and friendly, and super efficient.

Dave and Ashley (and Charlie) have done a fantastic job converting our loft. We have wholeheartedly trusted Dave’s expertise with him having completed 42 lofts previously. We are absolutely delighted with the results so far.  The tradespeople that have been over have been excellent: Mark and Kasper - the roofers, Stuart - electrician, Justin - plasterer, Dave - painter etc.

We did get some lower quotes from other companies, but we think there’s a strong case of ‘you get what you pay for’ with The Loft Room. The whole process was surprisingly smooth and unobtrusive - we just hadn’t expected that from a loft conversion. We would definitely recommend The Loft Company.
  
 
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   Richard Jones 
 19 October 2026
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Really happy with the finished loft conversion! The team was very friendly, professional, and respectful of our home throughout the project. While it took a little longer than initially expected, we put it down to the extreme heat of the summer we just had. The quality of the final build makes it well worth it—would recommend!
  
 
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   Henry 
 6 October 2026
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. We recently had a rear dormer completed by The Loft Room, which also involved lowering the ceilings throughout the first floor.

The efficiency and quality of the work carried out are the main reasons we’ve given five stars. We felt the administrative and communications side of the process could have been better, but ultimately the most important thing for us was the quality of the build, and in that respect we were extremely happy.

The team on site were excellent and always treated the house as our home rather than simply a building site. They were respectful, tidy and a pleasure to have around throughout the project.

Dragos has been a joy to work with and brought a huge amount of calm, experience and knowledge to the project. Lulian, on site, was the ultimate professional. Nothing was ever too much trouble, and the quality of his workmanship was excellent.

Overall, we’re really pleased with the end result and wouldn’t hesitate to recommend The Loft Room based on the quality of the work and the team we had on site.
  
 
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   Ruth Gibbons O'Brien 
 2 October 2026
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. We are so happy with our new loft space and have been really impressed with The Loft Room from start to finish.

Communication throughout the project has been excellent. Marius and his team worked incredibly hard to meet deadlines while taking great care and pride in their work. Helen in the office, along with Marius, were always on hand to keep us updated on progress and talk us through the different choices and options available.

It was also really helpful having a clear contract in place detailing exactly what was included in the agreed costs. This made budgeting much easier and meant there were no unexpected or surprise costs along the way.

We can’t wait for the final touches to be completed so we can start enjoying our family’s new space. Thank you to the whole team for all your hard work — we’re really happy with the result!
  
 
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   Alex Moon 
 28 September 2026
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. The loft room team were great. John was very respectful, and kept us informed on progress. Going the extra mile to make our new space amazing. They really managed to maximise the floor space to create a great sized master bed and en-suite.
  
 
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   Calum Millar 
 26 September 2026
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Recently had a dormer loft conversion completed by Ash and Alfie of The Loftroom.

From design all the way through to finishing the construction the team have been great. Quality of the work is outstanding, kept informed and updated all throughout the build, and always consulted about the specifics.

Highly recommend.
  
 
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   Chris Talbot 
 25 September 2026
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. We are delighted with our new loft conversion by The Loft Room. The whole process went incredibly smoothly, from the planning stage all the way through to decorating.

A huge thank you to Vio, who led the team on our project. Vio and the team’s hard work and dedication has transformed our house. Vio kept everything running on track, maintained a high standard of work, and was always a pleasure to deal with. He and his team treated our home with respect and made sure the details were done right. And also, a special mention to all in the office whose excellent communication kept us in the loop throughout.

We would heartily recommend The Loft Room to anyone looking to do a loft conversion. Thanks guys!