Five Popular Types of Loft Conversion in the UK

Are you struggling to tell the difference between a dormer and a mansard? Do you think a hip-to-gable conversion is a type of dance? This guide to the most popular loft conversions in the UK will set you straight. If you’ve got lofty ambitions, this article will elevate your understanding of some of the most common types of loft conversions.

3 February 2025

Loft conversions have become one of the most popular ways for UK homeowners to transform underused attic space into stylish and functional living areas. Simply put, a loft conversion is the process of converting the vacant area beneath a roof into an extra room, be it a cosy bedroom, an efficient home office, or a classic den.

Converting an attic into usable space took off in the 1970s, when rising property prices and limited space in urban areas inspired British homeowners to think creatively about how to expand without uprooting.

The Benefits of a Loft Conversion

A loft space converted into a modern bathroom (Credit: John Keeble via Getty Images)

Beyond adding precious square footage, a loft conversion can bring a wealth of benefits. It often increases the overall value of a property, provides additional living space, and can be a cost-effective alternative to moving house. Incredibly popular, loft conversions are also less disruptive than traditional home extensions, often (but not always!) with shorter completion times and fewer structural issues.

Plus, there’s something undeniably appealing about making use of a space that might otherwise remain forever hidden away, converting it into a bright and inviting part of everyday life. So what types of UK loft conversions are popular today?

The Different Types of Loft Conversion

A loft conversion makes practical use of all available space (Credit: Roy Mehta via Getty Images)

There are a number of popular loft conversions typically seen across the UK, depending on their property type, roof shape, budget, and desired outcome. On occasion, the type of loft conversion people opt for can be dictated by planning restrictions, so it’s important to check what’s possible with your local council.

Each of the different types of loft listed below offers unique advantages and can be tailored to suit specific needs and architectural styles.

Mansard Loft Conversion

A stunning example of a Mansard conversion (Credit: onepony via Getty Images)

Named after seventeenth century French architect François Mansart who popularised this style of roof design, a mansard loft conversion involves major restructuring of a loft space to create nearly vertical walls and a flat roof, maximising space and headroom. Unlike simpler conversions that just add a box-like projection to the existing roof, a mansard conversion significantly alters the roof’s structure, effectively creating an additional floor.

This type of loft conversion is well-suited to older, traditional properties – particularly Victorian and Georgian terraced houses – because their existing roofs are often tall and expansive. However, they can be added to all sorts of homes if the roof structure and local planning rules allow.

The Pros & Cons of a Mansard Loft Conversion

On the plus side, a mansard conversion usually offers a significant increase in floor area and can blend nicely with older architectural styles, maintaining an attractive street view. In addition, it allows for multiple rooms, such as bedrooms, bathrooms, or a home office. On the downside, it’s typically more expensive and time-consuming than other types of loft conversions due to the amount of structural work involved, and you may need planning permission because it changes the look of the home’s exterior.

Dormer Loft Conversion

Dormer windows on a suburban street in north London (Credit: VictorHuang via Getty Images)

A dormer loft conversion is a structural extension that projects vertically from a sloping roof. It transforms a cramped attic into usable space by creating additional headroom and floor area, while also providing natural light through dormer windows. One of the most common types of UK loft conversions, dormers are particularly suited to homes with pitched roofs, such as terraced, semi-detached, or detached houses.

The Pros & Cons of a Dormer Loft Conversion

One of the main advantages of a dormer loft conversion is that it significantly increases usable space in your attic, while allowing for bigger windows and better natural light. Dormers typically blend well with most architectural styles and can be more affordable compared to more complex types of loft conversion like mansards. However, they may alter the exterior appearance of your home and, depending on local regulations, might require planning permission, especially if the dormer faces the road or if your property is in a conservation area. Like mansard conversions, dormers also require complex structural work, so cost and time are significant factors. The word dormer comes from the Latin verb dormire, meaning ‘to sleep’. It’s the root of the English word dormitory, and these types of extensions were originally used to provide additional sleeping space.

Hip-to-Gable Loft Conversion

Hip-to-gable conversions work well on 1930s semi-detatched houses (Credit: Karl Hendon via Getty Images)

A hip-to-gable loft conversion is a type of home improvement that transforms the sloping side of a roof (known as the ‘hip’) into a vertical wall (called the ‘gable’). This structural change significantly increases the amount of usable space and headroom in the loft, making it ideal for creating an extra bedroom, office, or living area. The process involves extending the roofline and constructing a new gable wall, which can be finished to match the property’s exterior. This type of loft conversion is particularly popular with 1920s and 1930s semi-detached or end-of-terrace homes in the UK that have a hipped roof on at least one side.

The Pros & Cons of a Hip-to-Gable Loft Conversion

A hip-to-gable conversion can dramatically increase headroom and interior space. It also allows you to add windows for natural light and can blend seamlessly with the existing architecture. However, the construction work can be more expensive, extensive and intricate compared to simpler types of loft conversion, and may require planning permission. If you have a hipped roof and want to gain as much extra space as possible in your loft, a hip-to-gable conversion is worth considering, and it may even enhance the value of the property.

L-Shaped Loft Conversion

A stunning example of a loft conversion (Credit: SolStock via Getty Images)

An L-shaped loft conversion is created by two interconnected dormers – usually from the main body of the house and an existing rear extension – to form an ‘L’ shape when seen from above. This style of conversion is ideal for creating a larger, more versatile living area in the attic, making it popular for anyone who wants to add multiple rooms, like a bedroom with an en-suite bathroom. This type of UK loft conversion is typically ideal for Edwardian and Victorian properties, especially terraced houses with an existing wing at the rear (also known as an outrigger). During construction, one dormer is built on the main roof while the other is constructed on the rear projection, and they are joined together.

The Pros & Cons of an L-Shaped Loft Conversion

One of the biggest advantages of this type of loft conversion is the generous amount of space it provides, which can often feel like adding a whole new floor. However, because it involves working on two roof surfaces and creating a seamless join, the construction can be quite intricate and time-consuming – not to mention expensive – and might require planning permission or specific design considerations.

Roof Window Loft Conversion

A roof window loft conversion (Credit: Highwaystarz-Photography via Getty Images)

One of the most popular types of loft conversion, a roof window conversion is one of the simplest and most cost-effective ways to turn your attic into usable living space. Instead of changing the shape of the roof itself, you simply install windows – usually known as skylights – into the existing roof slope without altering its structure.

These windows let in lots of natural light and can make your loft feel bright and airy. Since the roofline stays the same, the project usually involves fewer structural changes.

Sometimes, this type of loft conversion is known as a Velux conversion, which has become a catch-all phrase for roof windows that fit the angle of the roof. Velux is actually a window brand, but due to its popularity, many people use it to refer to any roof window.

The Pros & Cons of a Roof Window Loft Conversion

This type of loft conversion is best suited to homes that already have enough head height in the attic, because you’re not raising or extending the roof to create extra space. The biggest plus is the simplicity of the design, which typically makes it quicker, less disruptive, and cheaper compared to other conversions. On the flip side, if your loft has limited headroom or you’re looking for a significant increase in floor space, a roof window conversion might not be enough to meet your needs.

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