Creating Head height in the loft

[mark]

I need to create head height in my loft due to the fact that the main beams disect the middle of the proposed bedrooms. It has been suggested to me that I raise the height of the walls, perhaps by 50cm in order to bo this but I'm wondering in there is a less expensive option, maybe one where I can create door sized gaps in the beams without losing structural integrity by having the load supported in some other way.

Is this possible or am I barking??

Mark (16)

[Pierre ZFP]

Woof!

No, only kidding, this is possible but probably needs looking at by an experianced builder or architect. My loft space was done in a way that sounds similar to your situation and the load is spread by large vertical timbers taking the weight of the roof onto load bearing walls and extra purlins where you won't bang yor head.  It isn't too complicated but I have no idea how you work out the loading so I would suggest professional advice rather than just going for it

[freddy]

That's correct - we had this done on our loft conversion. Obviously the advantage of raising the walls is that you get a substantial increase in floor space - but as you say expensive. As per the previous reply you drop verticals to support the weight and extra purlins. You still need cross beams to prevent the whole roof splaying out but they can be above head height (if your roof is high enough). Depending on the exact layout and contruction of the house you may need to sling an rsj or 2 between the walls to provide support points  - but this may also be needed to support the floor.

This is not a DIY job - even our chartered surveyor didn't do this bit. He got a structural engineer in to do the calculations and technical drawings. In the UK these needed to be submitted to the council and I imagine something similar is likely to be the case in France.

[geoff]

[quote user="freddy"]

That's correct - we had this done on our loft conversion. Obviously the advantage of raising the walls is that you get a substantial increase in floor space - but as you say expensive. As per the previous reply you drop verticals to support the weight and extra purlins. You still need cross beams to prevent the whole roof splaying out but they can be above head height (if your roof is high enough). Depending on the exact layout and contruction of the house you may need to sling an rsj or 2 between the walls to provide support points  - but this may also be needed to support the floor.

This is not a DIY job - even our chartered surveyor didn't do this bit. He got a structural engineer in to do the calculations and technical drawings. In the UK these needed to be submitted to the council and I imagine something similar is likely to be the case in France.

[/quote]

Freddy talks from a point of been there and paid for it.

As he said the first thing you need is  a structural engineer to do the collections.

Then move on from there.

[Val_2]

If you are going to raise the height of the walls of the building then you will need permission to do so if it affects the exterieur appearance.