Terraced houses, loft conversions and velux windows?

I can't help with the loft conversions and velux windows, but our UK house is a terrace, a 1960s/70s ex-council terrace, and we never had a problem with the noise at all.

We have a Victorian terrace, so slightly different from a 30's property, but I thought I would post my experiences. We can hear next door's children from time to time (I heard their baby first thing this morning, actually) but only "in the distance" IYSWIM- not loud at all.

We also have 2 Velux windows in our bedroom and have no problems sleeping wih the noise- they are double glazed and the rain is pretty quiet and relaxing once you get used to it. I would definitely get blinds, though- ours have none and the light is terrible at about 6am!

Our bedroom is on the 3rd floor of our 4 floor house and it is no problem at all. In fact, it is an advantage because it means we hear virtually nothing from the outside. We don't eat in bed, so breakfast is no problem.

HTH a little.

We live in a 1960s terrace and the noise is acceptable. Certainly far quieter than a lot of the new build houses I've been in. We can hear next door's dogs and them shouting, but then they're fishwifely idiots who think that multiple rottweilers is a good thing... I digress. On the whole it's fine. Other side have a toddler and teenager, we have a toddler and teenager, although we can hear things in the distance it's not obtrusive.

We live in a terraced house and have velux windows in our loft conversion. It was really raining last night and I whilst I was watching the tv I was thinking how noisy it was but that was on both the windows and the roof. It didn't stop me sleeping. I don't find it that noisy generally you can't hear noise from the neighbours unless they're doing diy. I can't comment on lower heating bills as this is the only house we have lived in

We're in a Victorian terrace, and the walls are so thick you hardly hear anything from the neighbours. Mind you our neighbours are pretty quiet.

Our old house had a Velux window in the bathroom, and it could be quite loud on stormy nights. Could you change the Velux for a dormer window? Have a look at the other houses in the street and see what they've done for loft conversions, to give you an idea what you could do and what Planning would allow.

Our old house was also over 3 storeys, but it was entrance, garage and utility on ground floor, lounge, diner and kitchen on first floor, and bedrooms and bathroom on third floor. We got used to it quickly (moved from a flat all on 1 floor!), an extra flight of stairs really isn't all that much, but you need to make sure your doorbell is well situated so you can hear it upstairs.

Just to add its not a problem coming down 2 lots of stairs . You just get used to it. I'm up and down the stairs all day everyday. It keeps you fit.

we live in a 1940's terrace house. Our neighbours have their loft converted and I would love ours done! They never seemed to have a problem or mentioned about not sleeping with the velux window and theirs is very large. Also doesn't annoy them going up the extra flight of stairs. (in my mums old house I had 4 flights of stairs to my room ?)

The only noise we hear is from the kids next door but then again you could get this in a semi.

Can only comment on the living over three floors rather than anything about Velux windows. Our house is also 1970s rather than 1930s.

Boy2 is in the top bedroom, and it can be a royal ball ache sometimes having to faff about with another flight of stairs - however, that may be more to do with the fact that he is a baby!

Temperature wise - in winter his room is always the warmest in the house. However, in summer it can be stiffling, and we have had to buy an air con unit to go up there. Even having the blind down and the windows open doesn't stop it getting stupidly hot.

Thanks everyone. It sounds like I shouldn't write it off yet then. I'm in a semi at the moment, with very quiet neighbours, so I've been spoilt.

The house has a gorgeous wide entrance hall, a lovely open plan kitchen, dining room and garden room, and a fantastic bathroom with bath and separate double shower cubicle. The loft conversion has a fab en-suite wet room.

The garden is 15% smaller than my current garden which is livable with, but I would need to find out if I could create OSP in the front garden, as the garage is at the back of the property.

All I need to do is sell mine. I'm changing estate agents this week so hopefully there will be some more interest.

Thanks

KJB

We live in a Victorian terrace and I've never found noise a problem. We also have velux windows in our loft conversion. It is a bit noisy when it rains but I rather like that ?- what's worse is how hot the room gets in summer. It's fine for a spare room but I would always try to avoid having my bedroom in a loft conversion.

I hadn't thought of that. It's such a lovely room though with a fab en-suite wet room, that it'd be a shame not to use it for myself - it's certainly too good just to be used for guests.

Maybe I could have two rooms - one for hot weather and one for cold weather?

Or maybe I should buy the other house I like, the detached 4 bed (on 2 levels only) with integrated garage and larger garden which needs updating.

Sounds very similar to ours. The noise from the terrace has always been minimal - the Victorians did build pretty thick walls, thankfully. I suppose it's feasible that we just have quiet neighbours but I do think the soundproofing is reasonable.

We also have a loft room as our bedroom. It does get noisy when it rains. It perhaps gets hotter in summer and cooler in winter than our other bedrooms but we can deal with it. If it's been done properly the roof insulation will have been extensively increased, which helps.

You get used to living over three floors as well. It's good for the thighs ?

I live in a 1920's terraced house. I never hear our neighbours.

Our attic is converted and has a velux window. You can hear the rain drumming on it but I don't think it's too bad. I agree with whoever mentioned the temperature though. It's absolutely freezing up there in the winter and totally and utterly stifling in the summer. We don't use it as a bedroom.

Terraced houses are a classic feature of urban living, offering a blend of history and practicality. These connected homes maximize space while fostering a sense of community. Many feature durable composite roof slate which provides excellent weather resistance and a traditional aesthetic. Ideal for first-time buyers and families, terraced houses often include small gardens or courtyards. Their efficient design makes them energy-saving and affordable. Whether modern or Victorian-style, terraced homes remain a popular choice for their charm and convenience.

We're in the middle of planning a loft conversion on our terraced house too, and Velux windows are high on our list. One thing that came up during our prep was the condition of the existing roof—turns out it wasn’t ideal for the extra weight and insulation. We decided to upgrade it entirely and ended up working with a metal roofing contractor who offered some great options for both durability and modern aesthetics.

If you’re planning a loft conversion in a terraced house, it’s always a good idea to review local building permissions and structural requirements before starting. Things like roof height, party walls, and ventilation for Velux windows can sometimes involve approvals depending on the area. For anyone researching documentation or case references related to property regulations, resources like St Louis records can sometimes provide useful examples of how legal documentation and filings are structured. Proper planning and documentation can really help avoid complications later in the project.

These terraced houses with loft conversions and velux windows really change the feel of the neighborhood. For anyone curious about property details or recent updates, you can check out Montgomery County houses on this site for accurate and up-to-date information. It’s a handy resource to see trends and valuations in the area. I always find it interesting to compare different layouts and improvements across homes nearby.

You might find it helpful to check detailed local property info, as it can give a clearer picture when comparing terraced houses or planning loft conversions. For instance, the Knox County Valuation resource provides comprehensive data on property characteristics, values, and assessments that can guide decisions on renovations or extensions. Considering this information can save time and help with more accurate planning.

I totally understand your concerns about terraces and loft conversions; noise can definitely be a factor, but the extra space is a huge bonus. I’ve also been curious about checking local properties for their true value, so I found this Houston property value tool really helpful in seeing recent assessments and trends in different neighborhoods. It’s interesting to compare how older houses like yours are valued versus newer builds. Also, having a second-floor main bedroom isn’t always a problem once you get used to it.

Terraced homes from the 1930s are usually built quite solidly, so noise between neighbors is often less of an issue than people expect. Velux windows can sound louder during heavy rain, but many homeowners say they get used to it over time. When I was comparing similar homes, I looked at some data through Wayne Property Records to better understand property details and values in different areas. As for having the main bedroom upstairs, it might feel like a long walk at first, but many people end up liking the extra privacy and quieter space.