Any builders/architects? I'm trying to avoid my roof caving in..

platypus

platypus

platypus

Caporegime
Joined
25 Jul 2003
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This is my loft as it currently stands, if you can pardon the atrocious diagram.

Side view:
roofspace.png


Essentially in blue is a sort of A frame, that doesn't really appear to be doing anything. It's secured to some floor joists, but at the top doesn't appear to be massively safely secured - eg its not support much of the roof weight at all.

There are two large joists running the length of the roof below the horizontal "a-frame" beam, and it seems to be these that the roof joists are taking their support from.

I'd like to make the space more useable, so want to take the Aframe out, and am wondering if adding two more supporting joists higher up will suffice - I've had a builder look at it and say that it will, but I just want to run it by the DIY experts on here and see what they think:

(roof face head on view)
roofspace2.png


As I'd like the roof to still be standing after taking it out :).
 
When I say I want to take the Aframe out, I'm more than willing to have it taken out ;).

Have already checked with building regs, as long as I'm not having the roof facade altered or made higher, it won't need permission/notification.
 
Raymond Lin said:
Are you sure they didn't just say you don't need planning or specifically building reg?
Click to expand...

They said we do not need either because we are not adding a bedroom, but I understand what you're talking about now, I've quoted the wrong thing :p.

Yes we will likely need building reg approval then. Bugger.
 
We have had a builder look at it, but from the sounds of it a structural engineer needs to be booked as well. I guess it isn't the kind of thing you can do on the cheap!
 
apeksdiver said:
If you are looking to open the space up then steel joists will be the way to go. I guess you will still be using a ladder to access it? You will only need to keep the building regs people happy if you are converting it to a living space and will require fire doors everywhere and a mains powered integrated fire alarm system with sensors in every room.
Click to expand...

Ideally we'd like to use it as an office. It won't however be a bedroom; does that qualify as a "living space"? If so we might can that idea and open it out for better/easier storage.
 
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