Cutting roof supports?

[rocker]

Anyone out there of a structural persuasion? Basically I have a loft I've boarded, the hatch to which is in an 'extended' part of the house (from what I can determine), and to get into the main area of the loft you have to squeeze through some beams or rafters which follow the line of the original roof, i.e. from the extended area, they lean away at a 45 ish degree angle into the main area. There are five or six of them, spaced about a foot apart.

Now then, I'd like to be able to get in and out of the main area without having to squeeze through the gap. Also, I would like to put a drum kit in that area, but there is no way I can squeeze in the larger drums. SO does anyone know if I can add two diagonal supports to the top part of this beam, join them to the adjacent beams to give support, then cut away the bottom section of the beam, thus providing easy access? Or is this just lunacy?

Any help or advice would be appreciated muchly!

 

[rocker]

Surely someone knows something!

 

[bodders22]

Can you post a picture. There will be way you can do it but need to see it before advising as I dont want to be responsible for your roof collapsing!

 

[rocker]

Ha ha good point! Though I'm not the sue-ing type so if anyone wants to propose any ideas let me know. I'm not at the house today I'll try and get some pics up tomorrow....

 

[Guest123]

Move.....

 

[rocker]

I am, that's the problem! Why can't all houses have drum-friendly attics, like the one here!?

 

[telectrix]

i would cut a new hatch in the ceiling under the main attic. no structural alterations involved and no roof ending up on the bed.

 

[bodders22]

Agreed telectrix, but rocker may be able just to trim the original roof rafters as you would if doing a new loft hatch but without the mess.

 

[telectrix]

or he could go on a diet.

 

[SirKit Breaker]

Whoaaaaaaa Rocker, put the saw away mate.

Dont cut out these bits of wood, they stablise the roof trusses and support the ceilings below. If you need to remove them then you will need to double up on the trusses, this is not easy if you aren't a joiner. But you must get planning approval due to structural problems. I only know this cos i had a loft conversion done and they took these bits of wood out.

Cheers.........Howard

 

[bodders22]

Definatley need a picture to clarify what the wood is supporting. It maybe as sirkit breaker says, be supporting the roof and ceiling below, or as the house has been extended not supporting alot. I used to work in the loft conversion business so could probably advise from a clear picture whether specialist help is required or not.

 

[topquark]

They're most likely only ceiling joists but it will depend on whether the roof trusses are pre-fabbed or whether it's a cut roof as to what's the best approach. As Tel has suggested you may well be better off just cutting a new loft hatch for access. That may well be more convenient for a loft ladder as well. As suggested piccies are the best option.

 

[1shortcircuit]

Rocker, Now isn't this normally where if it was an Electrical question we would say "Pick up the phone and call in a qualified person"??? Roofs can KILL LMAO

Good luck, I'm just playing as I saw the opportunity to add a little humour

 

[telectrix]

if it's roof trusses, they've been designed to the absolute thinnest, crappiest timber they could get away with to support the roof. i wouldn't even be happy drilling a 1/2 hole through for a 1.5mm lighting cable.

 

[Des 56]

What sort of tile is the roof supporting ? concrete or slate maybe
If the supports are load bearing then that would be an important consideration before chopping anything out

 

[rocker]

Oooosh guys I've gotten pretty nervous about doing this now! Just to clafify, these are what I call rafters but what every one else seems to be calling trusses.... they are the ones that make the pitch of the roof and are part of the roof itself.... if we imagine a pitched roof with the gable end at the side of the house, and an extended part at the back of the house joining the roof, so that approx 1/3 of the roof that joins the extended part doesn't have tiles on it and just goes into the attic, and then down and rest on a load bearing wall.... I'm not exlaining this well, am I? I am not living in the house yet so it's a bit more tricky to get a good picture, but I have a feeling this is going to be a no-no, although I have definitely seen builders doing it. Cutting a hatch elsewhere could be an idea... you don't need planning permission for that, do you?

 

[rocker]

Oh and the tiles are welsh slate

 

[topquark]

Oooosh guys I've gotten pretty nervous about doing this now! Just to clafify, these are what I call rafters but what every one else seems to be calling trusses.... they are the ones that make the pitch of the roof and are part of the roof itself.... if we imagine a pitched roof with the gable end at the side of the house, and an extended part at the back of the house joining the roof, so that approx 1/3 of the roof that joins the extended part doesn't have tiles on it and just goes into the attic, and then down and rest on a load bearing wall.... I'm not exlaining this well, am I? I am not living in the house yet so it's a bit more tricky to get a good picture, but I have a feeling this is going to be a no-no, although I have definitely seen builders doing it. Cutting a hatch elsewhere could be an idea... you don't need planning permission for that, do you?

No mate, no planning needed, you would need building regs; but only if the access is to be for habitable stpace (which it doesn't appear to be).

 

[topquark]

Oh, they're trusses when they are prefabricated and rafters are the sloping part of a cut roof (cut in situ, made to measure, and generally much stronger).

 

[rocker]

Oh, they're trusses when they are prefabricated and rafters are the sloping part of a cut roof (cut in situ, made to measure, and generally much stronger).

Ah I see, in that case I think they are rafters.

 

[telectrix]

Oooosh guys I've gotten pretty nervous about doing this now! Just to clafify, these are what I call rafters but what every one else seems to be calling trusses.... they are the ones that make the pitch of the roof and are part of the roof itself.... if we imagine a pitched roof with the gable end at the side of the house, and an extended part at the back of the house joining the roof, so that approx 1/3 of the roof that joins the extended part doesn't have tiles on it and just goes into the attic, and then down and rest on a load bearing wall.... I'm not exlaining this well, am I? I am not living in the house yet so it's a bit more tricky to get a good picture, but I have a feeling this is going to be a no-no, although I have definitely seen builders doing it. Cutting a hatch elsewhere could be an idea... you don't need planning permission for that, do you?

don't need planning permission, but you do have to notify the work to the Guild of Roof Trolls, jus to ensure that you don't damage their habitat.

 

[topquark]

Ah I see, in that case I think they are rafters.

As Tel said, gotta watch what you do with them; coz they're engineered not to have bits cut out If you know a good chippy (who's used to doing cut roofs), now's a good time to call in a favour and get them to take a peek.

 

[bodders22]

Just a thought, when your moved in rocker get a couple of local carpenters in for a no obligation quote they'll soon tell you how they'd do it, say you'll think about it get your saw out as soon as last ones getting in his van !

 

[Marvo]

A few photos of the trusses still in one piece would be handy. From what you're saying they sound like some variation of a Howe truss in which case the diagonal struts are under compression load and are very much necessary. Photos would clarify.