What is a mansard roof?
A mansard is a type of roof that was fashionable in Europe in the 18th and 19th centuries. Mansard roof extensions provide a larger floor area in comparison to a typical loft conversion, as the ceiling height is maximised around the whole perimeter of the space. They have a steeper angle to the outside edge (usually 70-80 degrees), and a lower slope on top, which is usually invisible from the street level. This increases the amount of standing area inside.
Often, mansard roofs are combined with dormer windows to maximise the usable floor space. |
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History
Since the middle of the 16th century, the mansard roof grew in popularity in France and later Germany, partly due to its elegance and practicality, and partly due to taxation rules. Across Europe, property owners were taxed based on the number of floors below the roofline. Mansard roofs allowed people to add an extra storey to their homes without paying the additional tax.
Mansard roofs have now become part of many iconic skylines throughout the world, in particular in France, Germany, New York, Amsterdam and London. |
Mansard roofs in London
Despite their popularity on the continent, mansard roofs did not feature in London until the Georgian era in the late 18th century. Much like today, Londoners were looking for cost-effective ways to increase the size of their homes, which the mansard roof provided.
Mansards with dormer windows
Although dormer windows can be added to many different types of roofs, they are commonly paired with mansard roofs.
Dormer windows are set vertically on a sloping roof. Such windows will have their own roof structure, which can be a variety of different styles, such as hipped, gabled, arched, or flat.
Like the mansard roof, dormer windows raise the pitch and can be used to increase the habitable areas inside.
Mansard loft conversions in London today
Mansard loft extensions may be added to your home through permitted development rights, or they may require planning permission, depending on your particular property and its context.
Permitted development rights
If your property is not Listed and is not within a Conservation Area, it is possible you will not need planning permission to add a mansard and can take advantage of Permitted Development Rights (PD) instead.
In August 2020, a new Permitted Development (PD) Right was introduced to the General Permitted Development Order. This PD allows people to extend the height of their home by 1-2 storeys and allows for loft conversions without the need for planning permission.
The previously existing permitted development rights may allow for a rear mansard roof loft conversion, provided that the following provisions are met:
- the cubic content of the resulting roof space would not exceed the cubic content of the original roof space by more than—
- 40 cubic metres in the case of a terrace house, or
- 50 cubic metres in any other case;
- no part of the dwelling house would, as a result of the works, exceed the height of the highest part of the existing roof;
- no part of the dwelling house would, as a result of the works, extend beyond the plane of any existing roof slope which forms the principal elevation of the dwelling house and fronts a highway;
- it would not consist of or include—
- the construction or provision of a veranda, balcony or raised platform, or
- the installation, alteration or replacement of a chimney, flue or soil and vent pipe; or
- The property is not a listed building, in a conservation area or area of outstanding natural beauty
Working with an architect is the best way to ensure that your plans for a loft extension will be permitted. While there are PDs that will allow for mansard loft conversions, the wider scope of work may require further substantial alterations to a property. In these instances, PDs may not be appropriate and planning permission will instead be required.
As London based architectural practice, we have experience working with clients across multiple boroughs, achieving successful planning permission and permitted developments for their loft conversions.
Neighbourly Cooperation
Due to the planning processes, securing planning permission for a mansard loft extension is usually more straightforward when a precedent has been set in other properties on the street.
There have been several instances in London where homeowners on the same street have been able to appeal to local authorities for planning permission by showing that several people would like to complete the works – maintaining the uniformity of the street.
Advantages and disadvantages of mansard roofs
As with all building works, there are advantages and disadvantages to be aware of before deciding if a mansard loft conversion is the best choice for you and your home. Working with an architect is the best way to ensure that the space is best utilised and beautifully designed.
The primary advantage of a mansard roof over other loft extensions is that they create greater usable space than other types of roof conversions. They can also be more cost-effective than a ground floor extension and allow for an increase in square footage without reducing the size of the garden. In addition, as the roof structure will require insulating there is a scope for improving the thermal performance of your property.
Other guides you may be interested in reading include loft conversions, and the cost of house extensions.
For more information about working with Architecture for London, please contact us on 020 3637 4236 to discuss your requirements, or visit our portfolio to see a selection of our previous projects.
Photography: John Sutton