Building a doorway

valyrian

Hello,
My wife and I would like to build a doorway out of our upstairs airing cupboard, through into the roof space of our attached double garage. The airing cupboard no longer has a tank (replaced with combi-boiler). I presume we’ll need to have a builder carry out the work but am not sure how to go about such a task.
Do we need planning permission?
Is this something that can be done quickly?
Any help much appreciated.
BTW, we’re based in the West Midlands.

sheenas

I can't think of a reason you would need planning permission, but you do have to consider building controls. I would make sure you have a fire door (at least FD30) installed. The door and door frame should be relatively quick to install. What is in the roof space above the garage and is the roof space(void) have flooring or plaster boarding?

Section62

valyrian said:

Hello,
My wife and I would like to build a doorway out of our upstairs airing cupboard, through into the roof space of our attached double garage. The airing cupboard no longer has a tank (replaced with combi-boiler). I presume we’ll need to have a builder carry out the work but am not sure how to go about such a task.
Do we need planning permission?
Is this something that can be done quickly?
Any help much appreciated.
BTW, we’re based in the West Midlands.

You might need planning consent - but we'd need a lot more detail about the property and what you are planning to have a better idea.

You'll definitely need building regulations signoff - but again, how complicated that will be depends on exactly what you are planning.

Will the garage continue to be used as a garage, or will you be converting that too?

MyRealNameToo

valyrian said:

Hello,
My wife and I would like to build a doorway out of our upstairs airing cupboard, through into the roof space of our attached double garage. The airing cupboard no longer has a tank (replaced with combi-boiler). I presume we’ll need to have a builder carry out the work but am not sure how to go about such a task.
Do we need planning permission?
Is this something that can be done quickly?
Any help much appreciated.
BTW, we’re based in the West Midlands.

Why do you want a door into your loft? Is the loft just for storage or has it already been converted into a habital space? 

Mr.Generous

Great idea for a lot of extra storage space! Love it.

molerat

I cut a double sized hatch hole in the garage ceiling, framed it and made a sheet panel to fit.  Need a ladder to access it but way cheaper than cutting a door through the house wall.

Section62

Mr.Generous said:

Great idea for a lot of extra storage space! Love it.

Compliance with building regs is likely to make it expensive storage space.

Also if the roof is trussed then the amount of storage might be significantly restricted.  It might be a better idea to use the space as it currently is, without adding the complication of access from within the house.

Eldi_Dos

molerat said:

I cut a double sized hatch hole in the garage ceiling, framed it and made a sheet panel to fit.  Need a ladder to access it but way cheaper than cutting a door through the house wall.

Out of curiosity did you insulate panel that is cover to loft space or did you decide it was not worthwhile?

MyRealNameToo

Mr.Generous said:

Great idea for a lot of extra storage space! Love it.

Would argue it reduces storage space... the cupboard that could have been full of stuff now needs to be much emptier as it's got to keep space for someone to walk through, particularly if the door opens inwards. If it opens outwards the clear path for it is likely to be larger than the access hatch for a loft. 

The big thing is the loft can already be used for storage, just access isnt so great via a ladder/steps. Kitting a loft out for proper storage isnt a minor undertaking especially on an outbuilding or garage. Heat loss is also going to be a thing. Our kitchen growing up was always much colder than the rest of the house because it had an internal door to the garage