Position of Steels for dormer conversion

[adrian2010]

Hello Guys (and gals)

I have a query in regard to position of steels for a dormer. My builder has got started and is making good progress but they have placed the steels on top of the existing loft boarding. This has confused me as I was expecting them to be run at least partially between the existing ceiling joists so as to maximise space.

Is this normal? By doing it this way they save the effort of cutting out the ceiling boarding but loose 10cm in height of the room.

Any advice before they get too far!

thanks

Adrian

 

[OAMD]

Excellent question. Was just about to ask similar...

We are looking to build a full dormer and my builder's suggesting that we lay RSJs on top of the existing joists.

I'm worried that we will loose head space if we do this. Is it possible (or not) to run the RSJs between and parallel to the existing joists, so that the bottom of the RSJs are aligned to the bottom of the existing joists.

Currently, from top of existing joists to apex (highest point of felt) there is 255cm - so I'm keen not to loose too much space. Can anyone advise, what, realistically we should expect in terms of head height after flooring and ceiling are fitted?

Thanks in advance,

Mark

 

[geraldthehamster]

Hello Guys (and gals)

I have a query in regard to position of steels for a dormer. My builder has got started and is making good progress but they have placed the steels on top of the existing loft boarding. This has confused me as I was expecting them to be run at least partially between the existing ceiling joists so as to maximise space.

Is this normal? By doing it this way they save the effort of cutting out the ceiling boarding but loose 10cm in height of the room.

Any advice before they get too far!

thanks

Adrian

This may be a stupid question, but is the steel there to support the new floor, or just the face of the dormer? I had two shed dormers built on my house, and the lower steel ran above the existing floor, but was to support the dormer face, and not the floor, which is at a lower level. Are you having new floor joists installed, and if so, do the ends rest in the steel, or do the joists run under the steel to rest on the wall plate?

Cheers
Richard