DIY Loft Conversion

cyclonebri1

Gizmosmum wrote: »

Mmm well sounds like in the panic of costing and finding out I'm going to be skint for the forseeable I'm getting confused

This is the situation. The bungalow is a sixties rectangle and 11.3 metres x 8ish long. When the new roof goes on it will have a gable built on the front and back of the left side of the rectangle (not the bungalow gable but new ones in the roof) and the rest of the roof as normal at 90 degrees. This gives us a huge room upstairs with double aspect picture windows for the view.

The original plans were drawn up with loads of rsj's but when the builder looked at them he said it would be very difficult to get an 11 metre rsj (even in sections) into place because of the sheer weight. We'd need really expensive access equipment and our bungalow isnt in the most accessible place.

Our builder suggested that we use specially made roof "bits" that sit on the wall plates and allow the whole of the space to be used.

Does that make any sense?

I trully hope I am not confusing you, but when you mentioned steelwork earlier, this is used to prevent the need for roof trusses, to gfive extra room above, and to allow max space to be realised under sloping roof spaces.

My own property was a simple 1935 bungalow, approx 30 ft x 30ft, so 13/14 mtrs sq?

We put in two lovelly dormers to the view side. With support of the existing ground floor walls. We, (I, my bro in law and 2 friends), walked eight steel beams up into the loft space to span all the way accross both above and below the levels of the new dormers. I wanted to weld these shorter lengths together, but considering the safety aspect the BI was happy if these were fishplated together with 4 x 12mm bolts each side the joints.

I just think you need to get some advice from someone, ie a potential builder/contractor that is familiar with this stuff. It's not complicated, just involved, and does need prior experience.

Thinking further the architype/plan drawer should have this stuff off to a tee????????

Take care.

Gizmosmum_2

Thanks for that - just been talking to the local firm that does both rsj's & trusses. He's thinking that it's going to be difficult to one or the other, may need a mix of both and some movement of the stairs.

Going to see him with the plans on Tuesday. I knew it wouldn't be straightforward ... mind you as you rightly point out you'd think the guy who drew the plans would have had this sorted. I knew after the first drawings there would be problems but wanted the plans through so I could get the shell up before the autumn.

Next stop the loft shop to see what the options for stairs are ...:)

Waterlily24

Hi Gizmosmum

I've just found the invoice for the trusses, don't know if this is of any use to you.

Can't give you separate prices as the invoice is just the total.

We had

13 1 ply 11,650mm 30 pitch
9 1 ply 10,900mm 30 pitch
2 3 ply 11,650mm 30 pitch

All double dutch to me I'm afraid, hope you can understand it.

The price was £4,730.81 which included 17.5% VAT. This was some time ago December 2008.

Just wondered if you'd heard of Progressive Products Ltd (www.secondsandco.co.uk) we bought our foam board from them at a really good price and there was absolutely nothing wrong with it.

Gizmosmum_2

Thanks Waterlilly I'll give them a try. Every penny saved counts at the minute.

Gizmosmum_2

Latest question - we've decided to render the bungalow which will become a bungahigh before the end of the year but our bricks are really porous.

We've been told to use a polymer render which is quite expensive but have just discovered SBR which on the face of it looks like it does the same thing but is much cheaper - has anyone any experience with either of these products????

Gizmosmum_2

While I'm waiting for planning permission - due this week, fingers crossed, I'm sourcing upvc windows for the rest of the bungalow - has anyone found any good web sources????

Also deciding whether to have french doors or folding, sliding doors in the loft when it's finished - any thoughts??

Thanks

GM

cyclonebri1

Personally I would go with a good local supplier rather than a net based one, not often I'd say that. If you are going to fit them yourself or even if the buider is, get the supplier to measure as part of the deal, that way mismeasures (look on the net at how many of thoses are for sale :eek:), are his responsibility

Most builders would also have a preferred supplier.

French doors look so much better than slinding patio type to me, but it's your choice.

Do you know what pocket doors are? They were new to me untill quite recently when we installed them in my daughters upstairs extension for the en suite and the walk in wardrobe room. Really nice as they slide completely into a stud wall. Only seem to be manufactured in the USA or Germany, the former are cheaper the latter better. You'll find them on ebay and elsewhere.

Gizmosmum_2

Thanks for that, seen the sliding doors in a self build magazine and thought they looked great. Are they expensive???

Trying to sort out the heating at the minute. The extension is going to add 60 m2 to the bungalow and the exiating boiler is going to struggle. Someone recommended a thermal store but there seems to be problems with linking into a condensing boiler so I'm not particularly keen.

I think I want underfloor heating upstairs and to keep downstairs as it is. Any ideas??

cyclonebri1

Gizmosmum wrote: »

Thanks for that, seen the sliding doors in a self build magazine and thought they looked great. Are they expensive???


yes
Trying to sort out the heating at the minute. The extension is going to add 60 m2 to the bungalow and the exiating boiler is going to struggle. Someone recommended a thermal store but there seems to be problems with linking into a condensing boiler so I'm not particularly keen.

I think I want underfloor heating upstairs and to keep downstairs as it is. Any ideas??

Underfloor heating upstairs is a good idea. most of the heat loss, and there is always some, is to the floor below, so no real loss, ;)

darich

cyclonebri1 wrote: »

Underfloor heating upstairs is a good idea. most of the heat loss, and there is always some, is to the floor below, so no real loss, ;)

Doesn't warm air rise??

I googled "home heat loss" and most websites had the heat loss through the floor at between 15-18. One even goes as low as 8%