CPA Loft Conversion Guide: 2nd Edition

The Construction Products Association (CPA) loft conversion guide is an update on the popular guidance first issued in 2009 and is published by the CPA and RIBA publishing, in collaboration with Local Authority Building Control (LABC), the Federation of Master Builders (FMB) and the Home Owners Alliance.

The guide looks to simplify the building regulations process, assist in compliance and, where applicable, offer solutions to achieve minimum, good and best standards for construction. It explains the whole exercise of converting a loft space into an additional room, starting with the planning application and moving step by step through to completion of the assignment.

Each chapter guides the reader through the essential process of complying with building regulations and serves to complement the Approved Documents by offering expert advice of a highly practical nature. It is ideal for those who want to understand the issues when discussing the project with their designer or contractor, those who choose to manage a contactor they appoint or even to carry out the work themselves.

For the contractor, it offers clear solutions at every step of the way.

It is not possible to, nor is it intended that this guide should cover every aspect of the design. Primarily, its purpose is to highlight the basic design considerations which need to be addressed.

The guide does not include guidance on the following:

• Any dwelling where the current number of storeys (or once converted number of storeys) exceeds four (including basements).
• Modular units.
• Unusual or unorthodox design and construction.

Your building control team will be able to give additional guidance for these.

The new guide will be available from the 20 March 2018.

Access the loft conversion guide

Further information

Building a loft conversion (includes video and advice on skylights and storage spaces)

Loft conversions: When is a building regulations application needed?