Create space in loft

ARION

ARION

ARION

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6 Feb 2012
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I am just looking for a bit of advice if possible.

When I was a kid I remember my uncle had created space in the loft by moving the wooden roof timber which helped create a large usuable space in the house.

I cant afford the cost if a proper conversion and could do with more space now that one of the three rooms is taken up by the nursery and the other my office.

If possible, I would like to move the roof timber (this is the main thing I am unsure on), board/insulate, install a velux window and widen the loft hatch with install some decent ladders.

Does anyone know if the roof timber bit is possible without my roof falling off?

Cheers
 
Thought that would be the answer but not 100% sure that is required. See pics. The timbers highlighted are not sitting on any supporting walls, they are simply tied to the loft joists. If i could bring them in and make smaller this will free up a ton of room.

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I understand they are supporting the roof, my point was that i dont think any steel work would be required. I think the wood can be altered in such a way to free space but also supports the roof.
 
Ok to clear things up, I understand that I will have to get a structural engineer to advise and that I will. I would like to know if anyone has changed a similar frame to create more space and what was required. My (limited) understanding is this is a common type of frame so there must be tons of people who have done this.
 
I think some of you may be over thinking the amount of work required here. This will no doubt be a relatively simple job once I have a SE run some load calculations and give me some advice.
 
Mark M said:
My contact is NE based so wouldn't travel that far for a small job sadly but I think you are underestimating the job from the sound of it, with the greatest of respect.
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Cheers no problem. I work for a company with a large engineering department so I can probably get some help from one of my colleagues who does this sort of thing. You say I am underestimating the job when I don't think I am. I have just recently finished a full refurbishment of my home which including a fair bit of structural work. Comparing it with that, I think it will be a breeze...

@koolpc on multiple occasions I have said I will be seeking the advice of a structural engineer so I don't really understand your comment. At no point have I said I will just start chopping the trusses to bits with no thought. I am merely seeking the advice of people who have first hand experience, something of which you do not have by the looks of it. Thanks for trying to help though.
 
MassiveJim said:
So I am about a week away from doing this conversion myself.

engineers drawings cost me £180 (extremely cheap) but the design was pretty simple.
Trusses removed and replaced with a large wooden purlin either side (9 x 3 in my case), My roof span was relatively short at 3.5ish metres though.

I paid £350 for this work to be carried out by a joiner.

I paid a certified Velux fitter about a grand to fit a SK06 velux.

then I did the rest of the work. the joists weren't strong enough in places to support regular "people" weight so I installed new 8 x 2 joists (additional cost of this was £250) on half of the floor.
I insulated and boarded it myself anf floored it myself as well.
I had a spark do the electrics so that it was able to be signed off correctly, and I have never plastered so I paid a plasterer for that also.

haven't fully calculated it all yet But I think we are probably talking £6 - 7k all in including fittinggs and decorating.

This included creating eaves storage cupboards
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Cheers for that very helpful.

So you didnt have steel RSJs installed? How come? Everything I have read use steel. Do you have any progress pictures by any chance?
 
That does seem pricey. I think using a loft conversion place is a no go. They seem to be extortionate and quote based on the increase in value to your property. I plan to do a lot of the work myself and get someone in (joiner or builder) for the bits I cant do. I think this will be the most cost effective way.
 
MassiveJim said:
The engineer did the calcs and they werent needed, wooden purlins were used instead.
possibly due to it being a smaller span ? Get an engineer in, they will tell you what is needed.
Not sure where I got my £350 figure from though, maybe I was tired, I paid the joiner £580 all in for the alterations.

I have taken some pictures, but really wish I would have taken more so I could have done a decent project thread on here.
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Have already had one in, just waiting for him to get back to me but as its mates rates its not top of his list.

Out of interest, how had this cost you 6 grand if the structural work only cost 850 quid? What is the end result?
 
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