What type of roof is this?

[nicki_bee]

Hi, we are looking to buy a house which we believe is a 1930s build, it is the only house of this type along a road of Victorian style in London. We are trying to figure out what kind of roof this is, a hip roofwith a flat top? I can see on google earth there is a strange section that sticks out, almost like a window, but I don't think it is, the loft isn't extended and we have no access to it. Does anyone know what this strange part is? We are trying to establish if the roof will be big enough for an extension at a later point! Many Thanks for any help

 

[freddiemercurystwin]

I wouldn't get hung up on roofing terminology, I would say it's a pitched roof with a flat roof on top, I suppose it's a mansard roof of sorts. Anyway, nobody can say for sure if the roof is suitable for conversion, the critical data is the existing height inside, during a loft conversion you will lose about 100-200mm at floor level and about 150mm at ceiling level due to increased structure and insulation. Why can't you get access to the loft, there must be a hatch? Any survey will be incomplete without a look-see round the loft. Only way to be sure it lends itself to a lofty is by measuring, though the house looks pretty big so I imagine it would be tall enough.

I can't see it being anything other than a roof-light, hard to imagine what else it would be.

Assuming the property possesses it's permitted development rights you will be able to do a hip-to-gable conversion and whack an ugly dormer on the back if necessary ....

 

[ajstoneservices]

I know that type of roof as a mansard.

 

[catlad]

There are houses round here with that type of design, its just a hip roof really with a slight modification. Flat top for access to tradesmen plus light onto stairway through skylight. It would probably make a good loft conversion.

 

[nicki_bee]

Thanks for the replies. The estate agent couldn't give us access to the loft at the time of the viewing, I think they had problems with the ladder, l to get up there. We are instructing the survey now so will see what they come back with.

 

[freddiemercurystwin]

Ask them for the clear height from the top of the existing ceiling joists to the underside of the ridge beams. Ideally measure it yourself though, you're buying it so access should not be a problem.

 

[kp00110]

I imagine it was a traditional roof and at some point was shortened to accomodate the skylight? I cant imagine a 1930s residential building have a flat roof like that it wouldnt make sense cost/material wise

 

[datarebal]

Clay tile mansard with a small flat roof area with a Velux window on a velux kerb I'd say
Possibly the building was extended but ridge height kept the same for planners

 

[catlad]

I cant imagine a 1930s residential building have a flat roof like that it wouldnt make sense cost/material wise

There are houses round this area like that with balconies/iron railings. It would originally have been a leaded roof.