new extension ? new roof

[Duncan P]

detached house around 100 years old. Want to add downstairs and upstairs rooms to side as extension. Roof ridge runs from front to back. To make house symmetrical is it possible to take old roof off in total and build new gable ends and put on new roof? . Could you leave pre existing bedroom ceilings in place?.

Realise it will be a big expensive job, but the end result would be alot better.
feasible?

also posted yesterday on roofing forum but not many replies

cheers

 

[^woody^]

Its most likely possible, but there may be prohibitive costs involved and other structrual works.

Ceiling joists are integral in the roof structure and tie the rafters and walls, so there may be some issues there

Whether the local planning dept think it is a good idea is another matter.

 

[ColJack]

you should be able to cut the roof off the ceiling joists and relpace the lot..

they will just add the new trusses in between the existing ceiling joist spaced 25mm up on the wall plates so the roof does not actually touch the old ceiling..

it might be an idea at this stage to think of possible fuature loft conversion and spec the joists accordingly and add any roof windows now..

get a loft conversion company or 2 to come take a look as they often have to re-struscture roofs to add dormers and such..

http://www.internode.co.uk/loft/index.htm <-- link to a guys DIY loft conversion.. usefull stuff on it..