L-shaped dormer loft conversions
One dormer on the main roof and another along the outrigger, joined at the corner. On a Nottingham terrace it can give you a bedroom and a bathroom on a new top floor.
Pitched dormer loft conversions in Nottingham
A dormer topped with its own small sloping roof, matched to the roof around it, adds headroom and daylight in a way that suits Nottingham’s older streets and conservation areas.
- Roof change
- A small gabled roof over each dormer window
- Best for
- Period homes and houses in conservation areas
- Compared with a box dormer
- A more traditional look, with a little less internal space
- Planning
- Usually permitted development; an application in a conservation area
What makes a dormer “pitched”
A pitched dormer projects from your roof slope like any dormer, but instead of a flat top it has a small gabled roof of its own, with slopes that echo the main roof. From the street it reads as part of the original house.
Its windows bring daylight deep into the loft and lift the ceiling where you need to stand. The sloping roof does take a little space compared with a flat-roofed dormer, which is the trade-off for its traditional look.
We look after the whole project, including any planning application, the structural calculations and building control, through to the finished room.
Benefits
Why choose a pitched dormer
It adds space while keeping the character of the house.
In keeping
A sloping roof that matches the main one suits period houses and older streets.
Easier on the street
Where planning permission is needed, a modest dormer under its own roof often sits better with its neighbours.
Daylight and a view
Upright windows give you a proper outlook and plenty of light.
Useful headroom
Standing height where the dormer sits, turning a dark loft into a usable room.
Key features
What your pitched dormer includes
From the address check to the final inspection.
- Survey and conservation area check
- Drawings proportioned to your house
- Planning drawings where your street needs them
- Structural calculations and steelwork
- Dormer frame with its own pitched roof
- Roof coverings to match the main roof
- Windows and a new staircase
- Insulation, electrics and plastering
- Building control approval and sign-off
Step by step
How a pitched dormer comes together
In a conservation area, planning comes first, so the build starts from an approved design.
- 01
Survey and address check
We look at the roof and the space, and check for conservation areas and Article 4 directions.
- 02
Design and planning
The dormer is drawn in proportion to the house; if your street needs it, we prepare the planning drawings.
- 03
Structure and stairs
Steels, the new floor and the staircase go in first.
- 04
Dormer and roof
The dormer is framed, its pitched roof covered to match, and the windows fitted.
- 05
Fitting out
The room is insulated, boarded and plastered, then the electrics, plumbing and joinery are finished off.
- 06
Handover
Building control inspects and signs off the work, and the new floor is handed over to you.
In Nottingham
Pitched dormers and Nottingham’s conservation areas
Nottingham City Council lists 33 conservation areas, from The Park and the Lace Market to Sneinton, Mapperley Park and Wollaton Village. Inside any of them, a dormer isn’t permitted development, so it needs a planning application, and a smaller pitched dormer often sits better with the street than a large flat-roofed one.
The council’s householder design guide asks for dormers that line up with the windows below and are set back from the front wall, and it doesn’t favour flat roofs unless the case officer agrees. A pitched dormer designed with those points in mind starts the application on the right foot.
Planning in NottinghamLoft conversion projects
A few of our finished conversions and the rooms inside them.
See all our workReviews
What homeowners say
5.0
5.0 out of 5 from 31 Google reviews
5 out of 5 stars
Mark and the team were brilliant! They completed my loft conversion, creating a third bedroom in my terraced house, to an excellent standard. From the start of the project they kept me upto date and nothing was too much trouble. Really lovely guys and I couldn’t recommend them highly enough. Thanks!
Claire O. Google review, September 2024 5 out of 5 stars
If you’re looking for a builder to do a loft conversion- stop looking right now. You’ve found him. Mark and his team have been excellent right from the start. From giving us a quote, he was able to quell all of our concerns and give us the information that we required in a succinct and predictable way. He was readily accessible for any questions and was able to give us the required information well in advance of any changes to any plans. When he started the work, he was always on time and they were always very polite and friendly. They also used our toilet during the works, which I am happy to say they always left the toilet in a clean manner. Whenever they worked within the house, they were always respectful and put down the necessary protection to limit any damage to our existing carpet and furniture. At the end of each day, they always cleaned up after themselves and left the place in a clean manner. They were very efficient with their work too. They were able to do our loft conversion (structure up) within 5 weeks, which is astounding! It was also during a very wet season and they took care not to have any leakage or water damage to any of our house. They gave us enough time to make decisions so that everything could be put in place without delay. All of the contractors that they work with have also been very professional and do their work to a high standard. We were then able to use these same contractors for any additional jobs we had around the house (at our own cost) for convenience. If we did come across anything that wasn’t quite right- Mark or one of his team were quick to respond to any of our concerns. Mark and his team are top notch and extremely professional. It was an absolute pleasure working with them and I would highly recommend them for any work being done.
Demi W. Google review, April 2024
FAQs
Pitched dormer loft conversions: your questions
Is a pitched dormer smaller inside than a flat-roofed one?
A little. The sloping roof takes some of the height a flat roof would give, but you still gain headroom and floor space where the dormer sits.
Do I need planning permission for a pitched dormer in a conservation area?
Yes. In any of Nottingham’s conservation areas, a dormer isn’t permitted development, so it needs a planning application to the city council. We prepare the drawings with the council’s design guide in mind.
Does a pitched dormer cost more?
It can cost a little more than a flat-roofed dormer, because the sloping roof takes more roofing work to build.
Will it suit a semi or a detached house?
Yes. Pitched dormers suit detached, semi-detached and terraced houses alike, and they’re often chosen where keeping the look of the house matters.
Still have a question? Call 07925 891 170 or send us a message.
Thinking about pitched dormer loft conversions?
Tell us about your house and we’ll let you know what your roof and your council allow, with a free quote.
Other loft conversions
Not sure this is the right type for your home? Compare the alternatives.
Rear dormer loft conversions
A box dormer across the back slope, with upright walls and a flat roof, for the biggest room a single dormer can give. The street side of the roof doesn’t change.
Also available
- Hip to gable conversionsThe sloping hip rebuilt as a vertical gable wall
- Dormer loft conversionsA box extension built out from the roof slope
- Mansard loft extensionsA steep 72° rear wall with a flat roof above
- Velux conversionsRoof windows set flush into the existing slope
- Shell loft conversionsStructure and weatherproofing done, fit-out left to you
These open on our main website, topmarkconversions.co.uk.
Free quote
Start your Nottingham loft conversion
A few details about the house and what you’d like from the loft are all we need to begin.
What happens next
- 1We read it throughSomeone from our team looks at what you’ve sent about the house and your plans.
- 2We call you backWe talk through what you have in mind and answer your first questions.
- 3We visit and quoteWe survey the loft, check your street’s planning position and send a detailed, free quote.