boarding out loft space/ conversion? any advice please?

fluffymuffy

danielbb wrote: »

I am about to embark on the same project. I intend to strengthen the existing joist by doubling them up in height, screwed and glued. Then lay the chipboard flooring.

Installing a velux is very easy look.

http://www.cam.net.uk/home/100.Thoday/loft.htm

:eek: DO NOT follow the instructions in that link!!!! He made a hole in his roof by sawing off a rafter and then failing to trim it - such that the whole weight of the roof above the hole is just hanging there, supported by what?

Installing a velux requires Building Regulations Approval. It could be done on a building notice - i.e. without drawings - by someone who knows what they're doing. The building inspector is not there to give lessons.

For the final word on lofts and building regulations see - http://www.planningportal.gov.uk/england/genpub/en/1115315235162.html

As to whether screwing some more ceiling joists on top of the existing ones will suffice - that's up to the building inspector. Generally we size timber from the tables in the building regulations but if you wish to do something alternative than their "deemed to satisfy solutions" then that's fine as long as you can provide calculations to prove it's structurally sound.

adaze

fluffymuffy wrote: »

Installing a velux requires Building Regulations Approval. It could be done on a building notice - i.e. without drawings - by someone who knows what they're doing. The building inspector is not there to give lessons.

I'm not entirely sure that you do need BC to install a velux - Roofing

If you were fitting it inbetween existing timbers, then you wouldn't structurally be altering the roof, admittedly it could weight more than the exisiting covering which might mean strengthening the timbers, but otherwise I think you could fit one without.

Even reading this - BC Rooflights Here -doesn't clear it up . Although I still interpret it as being able to fit a "rooflight" without BC if the roof is strong enough and no cutting of rafters is needed...

fluffymuffy

If you need building regulations approval to replace an existing window (and you certianly do) then you certainly need it to make a hole in your roof.

If in doubt speak to your local building control department.

danielbb

DO NOT follow the instructions in that link!!!! He made a hole in his roof by sawing off a rafter and then failing to trim it - such that the whole weight of the roof above the hole is just hanging there, supported by what?

Look again, he has supported the bottom correctly, just becuase he missed a photo out doesnt mean he didnt do that top on, the link is to show how easy it is, you should have many sources of information to cross reference. Also do it to building regulation standard, they are easily avaliable.

I assume if someones going to do something like this then they would have some common see something that obvious.

Legally you do have to have planning person, but in this day and age we are treated like children by the state, in some cases for good reason, but not all adults are completely silly, and can they adequately do the research. Its your house and your call, if in doubt get someone in.

Fire_Fox

Nobody has mentioned access in case of fire ... I believe legally the fire service must be able to get a ladder up to the Velux window or the area must have it's own fire escape. Hence need for building control approval.