Attic Conversation

fig mclough

Just thinking of converting attic wondering how much effort would you have to go to convert, its a truss roof so only 4 inch joists these would need to be upgraded to 6inch minimum I guess there is over 2 metres head room wondering if I had a purlin stud cut into the truss rafters and collar ties fixed would it be safe enough to cut the 4 struts on each truss or is there further support needed am a carpenter myself but just haven't worked at attic conversations at all. Thanks for replies in advance!

cork1

well my understanding is never cut a truss. ever ever ever. by this i mean if you do the manufacturers wont cover them if theres ever a problem

fig mclough

ye heard people say that before but I know of conversons that have been done with trusses think it's just the matter of a bit of know how...

cork1

but normally the ones that are converted are constructed from attic trusses.i reckon if you replaced the joists and double up joists either side of the stairwell, put in a purlin wall, collars bolted to each rafter rebrace the trusses near the ridge and add a few diagonal struts aswell im sure you cant go too far wrong. ive worked on attic conversions but ive never gone cutting trusses.

theboss80

thers a couple things you must do

1. Add extra joists as the trusses wont be sturdy enough, you know yourself this will be akward but necessary

2. Your new knee wall will need to be kept in from wall plate as much as possible to give support to truss rafter, more than half way between wall plate and ridge

3. Very important that you have the load-bearing underneath where you converting, might mean adding a stud if there a long hall directly underneath where main walkway of attic will be.

4. Also the purlin/knee wall will need proper support from beneath the joist so check out where your original walls are.

If you need name of good conversion company pm me n ill send number on
Best of Luck

fig mclough

Cheers boss dat all sounds fine just wondering about the collar ties want to keep them up as high as possible I know there not suppose to be more than two thirds from wallplate to ridge but might just chance keeping them up that bit higher at least they'l provide sum support but obviously not as much because there further up.

theboss80

i reckon if you raise the collars do every second one first and run a 2x2 on top of the collars and up against the rafters like a purlin and just fix them all to each others and then just raise the remaining collars up then aswell.that will do the trick, if you worried then you could add a few bolts just for extra strength through the collars and rafters.

Joey the lips

HI fig I see you live in meath there is a lad in ashbourne very good at attic conversions he is a carpentor by trade. His name is not Joseph

He generally tells people to budject between 15-20k. He will give you a quote. Dont rely on us have a professional look, Its important,

Also consider getting a bathroom I always think the extra couple of grand pays off but then I am money bags

PM me ifr you need further details

Thanks

PeteHeat

Hi,

Roof trusses are the cheapest way of building a roof, they are engineered to take the weight of the tiles at specific centres.

Do Not cut the trusses without first installing the steel supports needed to take the weight of the finished roof.

The steel will also be used to hang the floor joists from, Do Not fix a floor to the joists of the existing trusses if you want to keep ceilings in the rooms below.

Consult with an Architect or Engineer with experience in attic conversions who is willing to sign off on the finished room even if it is only deemed suitable for storage due to the ceiling height, you may need the cert if ever selling the house.

I hope the above is of some help.
.

harly1516

You will need the cert 100% can never sell the house without it and you will need the steel wont get the cert without it.
12000 euro includeing the cert if you want the guys name pm me.

millerman

just wondering if there is any way to put a bathroom in an attic conversion that is for non-habitable use without having to get planning permission for it?

Sam Braidley

Previous posts seem very sensible. One thing, before you finish the conversion, make sure that the rest of the house is sorted for electrical outlets, tv points, satellite connection etc, as once you finish the attic, it will be much harder to work on the house cables, as I found out.

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