Replacing lean-to roof

Sumostar

Hi

I own an 1930's semi with an original kitchen / scullery that stick out from the main structure of ther house. After 70 years the roof has had it. Most of the neighbours have had flat roofs fitted, but I want to keep the original look of the house whilst increasing the headroom at the far (low) end of the kitchen.

I seem to have 2 choices:

1 Increase the height evenly all the way round by about 4 courses of brick
2 Increase the height at the low end only and reduce the angle of the roof

Does anyone know what the minimum incline needs to be for a slate roof, or does anyone have any other suggestions?

Many thanks

woodbutcher_2

If you go to a builders merchants and get a roof tile brochure,it tells you what the minimum pitch for each tile is.You can buy low pitch roof tiles and i think they go down to about 20 degrees if i remember rightly.I may be wrong on that,you will need to check.Also,by putting a bigger overlap on tiles,it does allow them to be used at lower angles.I think you are right in re-instating the original because i think flat roofs are not up to much.

Has the roof got gable ends or hips?

Sumostar

Hello Woodbutcher

Thanks for that. I'm not sure about the construction. The slates overhang the wall by about half an inch, with a couple of inches of bitumen below them - presumably to fill the gap caused by the battons.

woodbutcher_2

Sounds like gable ends,the same as my house.My roof was low as well but i left it at that and put on a new wallplate,rafters and tiles.It's about 6'6" at the lowest point but not a problem for me.You can get tiles now that look like slate but are composite,they look nice.

Sumostar

I took your advice and went to my local roofing merchant. He has flat tiles in grey that will go down to 17 1/2 degrees, which should be fine. I don't mind raising the height of the wall plate a little, but the ceiling is only about 5' 6" at its lowest point above the sink, and I also want to raise the floor so that it's the same level as the rest of the kitchen, hence the need for a shallower gradient.

Thanks again.