Do More With Your Roof: Expert Attic Conversion Advice for Dublin Homes
Unlock the Hidden Potential of Your Home
Attic conversion
In a city where every square meter counts, making the most of your existing space is more valuable than ever. An attic conversion offers a smart, stylish, and cost-effective way to expand your home without extending its footprint. Whether you're dreaming of a serene master bedroom, a quiet home office, or an extra space for growing kids, converting your attic can dramatically enhance both your lifestyle and your property's value.
Unlike extensions or moving house, attic conversions are often faster, less disruptive, and significantly more affordable, especially when designed and executed by professionals who understand the local housing landscape.
At O'MAR Construction, we specialize in turning underused attics into beautiful, functional living spaces for homeowners across Dublin and surrounding areas. With over a decade of experience and a solid reputation for craftsmanship, compliance, and customer care, we guide you through every step of the attic conversion process—from initial consultation to final touches.
Unlike extensions or moving house, attic conversions are often faster, less disruptive, and significantly more affordable, especially when designed and executed by professionals who understand the local housing landscape.
At O'MAR Construction, we specialize in turning underused attics into beautiful, functional living spaces for homeowners across Dublin and surrounding areas. With over a decade of experience and a solid reputation for craftsmanship, compliance, and customer care, we guide you through every step of the attic conversion process—from initial consultation to final touches.
What Is an Attic Conversion?
An attic conversion transforms an underutilized attic space into a livable, functional room. It’s one of the most efficient ways to increase the usable square footage of your home without expanding its footprint. Because the structure already exists, converting your attic often involves fewer structural changes than a ground-level extension.
There are several types of attic conversions, each suited to different roof shapes, property types, and budget levels:
Velux (Rooflight) Conversion
The simplest and most cost-effective option. Skylights are added without altering the roof structure.
Dormer Conversion
A box-like extension protrudes from the roof, increasing headroom and floor space. Ideal for semi-detached or terraced homes.
Hip-to-Gable Conversion
The sloped ‘hip’ side of the roof is replaced with a vertical wall (gable), expanding the usable area. Common in end-of-terrace and detached homes.
Mansard Conversion
The most dramatic transformation, altering the entire roof shape to add a full additional floor. Often used in urban areas where maximizing internal space is key.
What Can an Attic
Be Used For?
A converted attic isn’t just extra space—it’s valuable, purpose-built space that can serve a wide range of needs. Some of the most popular uses for attic conversions include:
Master or Guest Bedroom – Create a peaceful sanctuary with added privacy and views.
Home Office or Studio – Ideal for remote work, freelancing, or creative hobbies.
Children’s Playroom – A fun, contained space for toys, games, and learning.
Media Room or Home Cinema – Enjoy movie nights in a cozy loft retreat.
En-Suite Bathroom Addition – Combine convenience with a luxurious touch.
Library or Reading Nook – A quiet corner for books and relaxation.
Home Gym or Yoga Space – A personal wellness zone tucked above the bustle.
The possibilities are nearly endless, and with smart design, even smaller attics can be transformed into functional, stylish rooms that enhance both everyday living and long-term property value.
Home Office or Studio – Ideal for remote work, freelancing, or creative hobbies.
Children’s Playroom – A fun, contained space for toys, games, and learning.
Media Room or Home Cinema – Enjoy movie nights in a cozy loft retreat.
En-Suite Bathroom Addition – Combine convenience with a luxurious touch.
Library or Reading Nook – A quiet corner for books and relaxation.
Home Gym or Yoga Space – A personal wellness zone tucked above the bustle.
The possibilities are nearly endless, and with smart design, even smaller attics can be transformed into functional, stylish rooms that enhance both everyday living and long-term property value.
Assessing Suitability: Is Your Attic Ready for a Conversion?
Before committing to an attic conversion, it’s essential to determine whether your attic space is structurally and legally suitable for conversion. Not all attics are created equal, and understanding the limitations (and potential) of your space is the first step toward a successful project.
Evaluating Structural Integrity
Your attic must be able to support the additional load that comes with creating a livable space—this includes everything from new flooring and insulation to furniture and occupants.
Here’s what a professional survey will typically assess:
Here’s what a professional survey will typically assess:
Ceiling joists:
Most attics are built to support only the ceiling below, not the floor above. These joists may need to be reinforced or replaced with floor joists to meet Irish building regulations.
Roof structure
Traditional cut timber roofs are generally easier to convert than modern trussed roofs, which often require more structural modifications.
Load-bearing walls:
Your design will depend on the existing support structure and how it can distribute new weight loads.
Water tanks or chimneys
These may need to be relocated or boxed in depending on their location within the attic.
A structural engineer’s report
Is often the first formal step in planning an attic conversion and will ensure your design meets safety and compliance standards.
Energy Efficiency and Insulation in Attic Conversions
When converting your attic into a livable space, energy efficiency isn’t just a bonus—it’s a legal requirement and a smart long-term investment. A properly insulated attic will keep your home warmer in winter, cooler in summer, and significantly lower your heating bills year-round.
The Importance of Proper Insulation
Attics are one of the biggest sources of heat loss in a home—accounting for up to 25–30% of wasted energy if not insulated correctly.
Why it matters:
- Improved comfort year-round (no more freezing winters or stuffy summers).
- Reduced energy bills due to lower heating and cooling needs.
- Higher BER (Building Energy Rating), which boosts your home's value.
- Lower carbon footprint, contributing to a more sustainable home.
- Legal compliance with energy efficiency standards for habitable spaces.
Poor insulation can also lead to condensation and damp issues—major risks for attic rooms where ventilation is already more limited.
- Improved comfort year-round (no more freezing winters or stuffy summers).
- Reduced energy bills due to lower heating and cooling needs.
- Higher BER (Building Energy Rating), which boosts your home's value.
- Lower carbon footprint, contributing to a more sustainable home.
- Legal compliance with energy efficiency standards for habitable spaces.
Poor insulation can also lead to condensation and damp issues—major risks for attic rooms where ventilation is already more limited.
Types of Insulation Materials for Attic Conversions
Attic parts require different insulation approaches—mainly the roof slopes, walls, floors, and dormer sides. Here's a breakdown of commonly used materials:
-
Rigid Foam Boards (PIR/PUR)
- Excellent thermal performance with a slim profile.
- Ideal for sloped roof areas where space is limited.
- Often combined with foil backings for additional vapor resistance.
-
Mineral Wool (Rockwool or Glasswool)
- Fire-resistant, sound-absorbing, and affordable.
- Great for between joists or partition walls.
- May require additional vapor control layers.
-
Spray Foam Insulation
- Expands to fill every nook and cranny.
- Excellent air-sealing properties.
- It must be applied professionally and carefully to avoid roof ventilation issues.
-
Multifoil Insulation
- Thin reflective layers that reduce radiant heat loss.
- Often used in combination with other materials.
- Particularly useful in tight or shallow rafter spaces.
-
Natural Insulation (Sheep’s Wool, Hemp, Wood Fibre)
- Eco-friendly, breathable, and great for older or heritage properties.
- Slightly more expensive but highly sustainable.
- At O'MAR Construction, we tailor the insulation method to your specific attic type and energy goals, ensuring the best thermal envelope possible.
Minimum Height Requirements: 2.4 Metres at the Centre
One of the most important criteria for attic conversion suitability is head height.
- A minimum of 2.2 to 2.4 metres (about 7’2”–7’10”) at the highest point is recommended to make a conversion practical and comfortable.
- If your attic falls short, don’t worry—there are options. You may be able to:
Pro tip: Even with lower head height, you can still make clever use of the space with built-in storage, reading nooks, or cosy bedrooms with sloped ceilings.
- If your attic falls short, don’t worry—there are options. You may be able to:
- - Lower the ceiling of the room below (complex and expensive).
- - Raise the roof ridge height (often requires planning permission).
- - Opt for a dormer conversion, which adds vertical wall space.
Pro tip: Even with lower head height, you can still make clever use of the space with built-in storage, reading nooks, or cosy bedrooms with sloped ceilings.
Addressing Low Ceiling Heights
Solutions:
Install a Dormer Extension
Adds headroom by extending the roof vertically—perfect for bedrooms and bathrooms.
Raise the Roof Ridge
This involves structural work to increase the height of the roof. It usually requires planning permission, but creates a much more spacious loft.
Lower the Ceiling Below
In some cases, the ceiling of the floor below can be lowered to increase attic height, though this is invasive and expensive.
Zoned Usage
Even in tight spaces, clever design can make the most of low-ceiling areas with built-in storage, desk nooks, or seating under eaves.
At O'MAR Construction, we assess your space carefully and provide architectural solutions tailored to your home’s structure and your desired room function.
Install a Dormer Extension
Adds headroom by extending the roof vertically—perfect for bedrooms and bathrooms.
Raise the Roof Ridge
This involves structural work to increase the height of the roof. It usually requires planning permission, but creates a much more spacious loft.
Lower the Ceiling Below
In some cases, the ceiling of the floor below can be lowered to increase attic height, though this is invasive and expensive.
Zoned Usage
Even in tight spaces, clever design can make the most of low-ceiling areas with built-in storage, desk nooks, or seating under eaves.
At O'MAR Construction, we assess your space carefully and provide architectural solutions tailored to your home’s structure and your desired room function.
Planning Permission in Dublin:
What You Need to Know
What You Need to Know
Before moving forward with an attic conversion, one of the most important questions is: Do I need planning permission?*The good news is that **many attic conversions in Dublin do not require full planning permission. However, certain conditions and thresholds apply, and getting this right from the start is crucial.
When Is Planning Permission Required?
You will generally need planning permission if your attic conversion involves:
- - A dormer window facing the front of the house (visible from a public road).
- - An increase in the height of the roof or ridge line.
- - Major structural alterations that significantly change the shape or external appearance of the house.
- - A mansard or hip-to-gable extension that changes the roof structure or footprint.
- - The installation of large balconies, terraces, or roof gardens.
Always check with your local planning authority (Dublin City Council or your relevant county council), as interpretation and enforcement can vary slightly depending on your exact location.
Navigating the Application Process
If your project does require planning permission, here’s what the process typically looks like in Dublin:
Initial Consultation
O'MAR Construction can arrange a site survey and determine whether permission is required.
If so, we’ll help you engage with an architect or planning consultant.
If so, we’ll help you engage with an architect or planning consultant.
Prepare Application Documents
These include site plans, elevation drawings, a design statement, and completed planning forms.
Public Notification
You must place a notice in a local newspaper and erect a site notice on your property for at least 5 weeks.
Submit the Application
Submit your planning pack to your local authority along with the applicable fee.
Wait for a Decision
The council will typically issue a decision within 8 weeks, although further information requests can extend this timeline.
Frequently Asked Questions About Attic Conversions
In most cases, no, you typically do not need planning permission for a Velux (rooflight) attic conversion in Dublin. These conversions usually involve no changes to the roofline or external structure, making them an exempted development under Irish planning regulations.
However, exceptions may apply if:
O'MAR Tip: We’ll assess your project and advise whether formal approval is needed, or help secure a Certificate of Exemption if applicable.
However, exceptions may apply if:
- - You’re in a **listed building or conservation area**.
- - You’re installing unusually large or numerous rooflights that alter the building's character.
- - The windows overlook neighbouring properties and compromise privacy.
O'MAR Tip: We’ll assess your project and advise whether formal approval is needed, or help secure a Certificate of Exemption if applicable.
On average, an attic conversion in Dublin takes between 4 to 8 weeks, depending on the type and complexity of the project.
Typical timelines:
Factors that may impact timelines:
Typical timelines:
- - Velux conversion: 3–5 weeks
- - Dormer conversion: 5–7 weeks
- - Hip-to-gable or mansard conversion: 6–8+ weeks
Factors that may impact timelines:
- - Need for planning permission or structural work
- - Custom design elements (e.g., en-suite, custom stairs)
- - Weather conditions or material delays
Yes, you absolutely can convert your attic into a bathroom or en-suite—and it’s a popular option! However, this adds complexity, as it involves plumbing, ventilation, and waterproofing.
Key considerations:
O'MAR Construction collaborates with licensed plumbers and electricians to ensure everything is **fully compliant and leak-proof**, right from the start.
Key considerations:
- - Proximity to existing soil pipes and water supplies
- - Floor reinforcement to support heavy bathroom fixtures
- - Proper ventilation (mechanical extraction may be required)
- - Building regulations compliance for water resistance and drainage
O'MAR Construction collaborates with licensed plumbers and electricians to ensure everything is **fully compliant and leak-proof**, right from the start.
A well-executed attic conversion can deliver an impressive **return on investment of 20%–30% or more** depending on the area, build quality, and market conditions in Dublin.
In Dublin’s competitive housing market, an attic conversion is often one of the most cost-effective ways to boost both **livability and resale potential.
- Typical benefits include:
- - Increased property value (especially with added bedrooms/bathrooms)
- - Higher BER rating and energy efficiency
- - Additional rental income (ideal for landlords or Airbnb)
- - More functional space without extending the home's footprint
In Dublin’s competitive housing market, an attic conversion is often one of the most cost-effective ways to boost both **livability and resale potential.
Ready to Transform Your Home?
An attic conversion is more than just a home improvement—it’s an investment in space, comfort, and value. Whether you’re adding a new bedroom, creating a quiet workspace, or simply making the most of unused square footage, converting your attic is one of the smartest and most rewarding upgrades you can make to your home.
To recap, attic conversions offer:
-
Extra living space without extending your home’s footprint - A significant boost in property value and energy efficiency
- Minimal disruption when handled by the right professionals
- Flexible design options to suit any lifestyle need
O'MAR Construction
We’ve helped Dublin homeowners unlock the true potential of their homes with high-quality, regulation-compliant attic conversions. From initial survey to final touches, our team provides tailored guidance, transparent pricing, and superior craftsmanship every step of the way.
Thinking about converting your attic?
Contact us today for a free, no-obligation consultation, and let’s explore what your attic could become.
Thinking about converting your attic?
Contact us today for a free, no-obligation consultation, and let’s explore what your attic could become.