Some initial questions - crossed joists and getting wood up there

howsono · 27 Aug 2015

Hi

I want to strengthen my loft floor - don't want to do a full loft conversion but just make the space more usable and less unpleasant.

What we have at the moment: we're end of terrace, there are joists running (I think from memory) front to back at 3-400mm ish centres (I'm going from memory here). There is one (I believe) supporting wall runing side-to-side roughly 3/5 in from the front of the building.
Then ON TOP of the front/back joists are some more substantial beams - maybe 4-6 of them running from the party-wall side to the end-wall.

I presume if I want to strengthen the joists its the bottom ones? What do I do about the top ones?

Also if I go the sistering route and bolt/screw some 2x6 or 2x8's to the existing joists (with a lift at the ends to clear the ceilings) so I need to get full-lengths up there (how do I do that without removing the roof tiles?) or do I get shorter lengths and join them at the supporting wall?

thanks

chirpychippy · 1 Sep 2015

A word of warning, in the nicest possible way. I have undertaken many loft conversions, I am a qualified carpenter and understand the structural components of a roof structure and what will happen when certain structural components are removed or cut. Without this knowledge I would not undertake the works you are proposing. The substantial beams you refer to are called binders.

howsono · 1 Sep 2015

so what would you do?

They don't actually appear to be attached to anything, I can't see what's stopping them falling over! They may be screwed to the roof trusses at the outside end but the end nearest the party wall is just sat there.

chirpychippy · 1 Sep 2015

Is it cut and pitch or Truss roof?

howsono · 1 Sep 2015

How do I tell the diff?

chirpychippy · 1 Sep 2015

howsono said:
so what would you do?

In answer to this question, do you know or do any of your friends know a good carpenter/builder whom you could contact and obtain advise regarding the feasibility of the works your proposing?

howsono · 1 Sep 2015

Not around here, no. They all charge an arm and a leg. or at least a hand and a foot.

chirpychippy · 1 Sep 2015

Ok, it would be unprofessional of me to advise you of the procedure to undertake the works you are proposing. Good luck.

howsono · 1 Sep 2015

There's a difference between explaining a procedure and telling me what to do.

chirpychippy · 2 Sep 2015

Right let's start again! A truss roof is where you have A frames in your roof the joist the rafter and the collar and struts are in one complete piece, Google Truss roof, you will see what I mean. Then cut and pitch, all the timbers are seperate, you will have Joist, Rafter, Ridge Board, Binders and or Pole Plates, Purlins and struts all seperate but nailed to each other.

JohnD · 2 Sep 2015

You might do better to post some pictures, and to provide actual dimensions and numbers rather than "going from memory" "I believe" and "maybe."

Consider for the moment that you should not cut or remove any of the existing timbers, none of them will have been put there as ornaments. If you think you have any timbers that are not attached to anything, try lifting them up.

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Some initial questions - crossed joists and getting wood up there

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