building

[Mikeyboy]

Hello everyone,good site.I own a flat roofed property built in 1942,with solid concrete floors.The roof is constructed of block and beam,with an asphalt finish,overlaid with insulation and some type of roofing felt.This is obviously causing problems with damp and water ingress.I intend to have a pitched roof installed,extending gable end brickwork vertically to meet the roofline.The roof to be supported by rsj:s across new built gable end walls.The question is,can I make a habitable room in new loft space?Other neighbours have fitted pitched roofs,but no-one has opened up access into roof space.Obviously I will have to consult an architect,structural engineer,submit plans etc.,but before I do so I would greatly appreciate your opinion,thanks in anticipation,Mike.

 

[Mr Winston]

Hi mike

i have to say anything is possible - at a price

like you say you need to get bodie and doyle in to check out the feasability and what you will get for your money and effort.

it will need some investigation into the existing roof structure to see if its ok to support floor loading or if that need replacing/strengthning

 

[Mikeyboy]

Thank you Mr. Winston for your very prompt reply to my recent enquiry.As you have seen in my post ,I am concerned with regard to cutting through existing block and beam roof, into proposed loft area.I do not wish to waste money on a job which is not feasible.Thanks again for your interest in my question,Mike.

 

[Mr Winston]

if the roof has originally been designed as a flat roof then it is unlikely to have been designed to take floor loads for an extra storey - i would expect that the flat roof would need to be replace OR maybe steel beams could be installed below the conc beams at right angles to reduce their span and increse the loads they can support

planning may say that you have to keep the same pitch and ridge height - may be allowed to add a dormer - what sort of useable floor area will you be able to gain by having a room in your roof? say 2m clear headroom