making 2 bedrooms out of 1

BertrumB

Hi

Id like some advice about the possibility of splitting a bedroom into 2.

We dont really want to move, we like our house, and dont want to take on further debt by having an extension or loft conversion, but would like another bedroom.

Im thinking, we could move into 2nd bedroom and split the biggest bedroom into 2. Its more or less square, so these are my queries...

if we split it one way we would have 1 room with a big window, the other would have no window. Is this legal? This room would have the door open permanently but would be a bedroom.

if we split it the other way we have a problem with the front window as the split would be right down the centre of the window. Would we be allowed to replace the big window with 2 smaller windows ie a window in each room? The window is above the lounge so we would alter this to match. Would we be allowed to do this as it looks out onto the street? We live in a semi, about 1980s, and many of the houses nearby have now been altered - bay windows, porches, front extensions etc so its not like we would be spoiling a run of identical houses.

We are not intending to move anytime soon so not really concerned about what would happen when we sold, we could even maybe return it to its original state.

Any thoughts or andvice gratefully received xx

BuntyB

Hi, a temporary plasterboard stud wall may fit your needs. Easy enough to erect and remove without causing any damage

whitewing

If it's for two siblings who can share roomspace, you could maybe put two wardrobes or low cupboards if you didn't want to block out light in next to each other but one facing one way and the other facing the other way.

Depends if it is space required or privacy really.

leveller2911

A neighbour of ours did just that, turned 1 room into 2 rooms. One room is for him and his wife the other is for their 3rd child. His small room is about 10x5 with no window.

He put up a stud wall with Gyproc both sides and a door.I asked him what will you do if there was a fire?, how would you get him out?. He said "I will knock the wall down " he won't of coarse,fire will rapidly spread and they will never get him out. I told him this and his reply was "I don't really care as I have the landlords permission"....

My advice is don't even think about it unless there is room to fit an additional window which opens to a width of at least 485mm in width. You may well be required under the Building regulations to fit a window. You can't put a price on a life and would never forgive yourself if anything happend..Give Building control a ring and ask.

BertrumB

Thanks for your replys.

Im liking the plaster board idea, it wouldnt have to be *too* permanent, maybe only for 5 yrs or so. I have older teenagers, 1 has her own room, the other shares with a toddler. Its a nightmare lol. The teenager that shares has no idea about making it safe for his brother, phone chargers plugged in but not attached to phone, lego bits, coins, batteries, you name it ive picked it up :mad:

Plus, we are planning number 4 so it makes sense to try to get the 2 younger ones in a room together. Its just the window problem that we need advice on... can we not have a window in a bedroom? Or would we be able to replace the front windows with 2 smaller windows??

BertrumB

Leveller2912, our posts crossed.

I entirely agree with you about the safety aspect, but I struggle with this, as the windows we have now dont open far enough to use as an escape route. If trapped upstairs the only window we could use would be the bathroom. Is it now legislation that each window must open enough to let someone through? I had a quote for new windows about a month ago, and he never mentioned this until I brought it up and he agreed it is a good idea??

But I agree, I would never forgive myself.

BertrumB

Another idea... If we split the big room into 2, but access to one of the rooms was off our bedroom (so the other room would have a window) how would that be viewed legally? So access to our room would be from the landing, then access to the toddlers room would be off our room? Hope this is not too confusing to follow lol

The space I want to pinch to make a room backs onto the neighbours so has no outside wall making a windo impossible.

Really appreciate you thoughts x

whitewing

glass blocks as part of the partition?

http://www.diy.com/nav/decor/tiles/wall-tiles/glass___mirror_tiles/-specificproducttype-decorative_blocks/Shackerley-Flemish-Glass-Single-Block-Clear-H-190-x-W-190mm-9273725

leveller2911

BertrumB wrote: »

Leveller2912, our posts crossed.

I entirely agree with you about the safety aspect, but I struggle with this, as the windows we have now dont open far enough to use as an escape route. If trapped upstairs the only window we could use would be the bathroom. Is it now legislation that each window must open enough to let someone through? I had a quote for new windows about a month ago, and he never mentioned this until I brought it up and he agreed it is a good idea??

But I agree, I would never forgive myself.

I make timber windows and Building control like to see opening sashes on replacement windows but I don't believe they can insist on them.Its a different matter if you extend or convert the attic as this would require you to comply with regulations.That said I don't know where you would stand with regards to alterations to the room and making 1 room into 2. Best to phone them and ask

Cazza

I **think** that to pass building regulations as a habitable room, it has to have a window, otherwise it's really just a big cupboard (bathrooms are different). Splitting the window would probably need planning permission but is the better long term option. As far as I'm aware, the doorway leading onto another bedroom shouldn't be a problem.

That's going to be a really hot stuffy room in the summer with no ventilation!

Owain_Moneysaver

BertrumB wrote: »

Another idea... If we split the big room into 2, but access to one of the rooms was off our bedroom (so the other room would have a window) how would that be viewed legally? So access to our room would be from the landing, then access to the toddlers room would be off our room?

Internal rooms (rooms accessed through another room) have specific requirements for means of escape in the event of a fire.

Could you put up a sketch floorplan as we may be able to think of something.