New extension - roof type ideas

[vards01]

Hi All,

I am contemplating building a single story extension to my house, just in the concept stage at present and looking for some alternate ideas for the roof line or if anyone else has had this type of project before. I am not really in favour of constructing a double valley roof so was thinking of a mansard style as I have sketched in red, the green hatching (5.7m x 3.1m) is the footprint of the new extension. Any other suggestions would be welcome.


Thanks in advance

View media item 96969

 

[jeds]

You've got the most obvious solution. The only drawback is that trusses would be restrictive on roof windows so you might consider paying the extra for an engineered solution instead.

 

[vards01]

an engineered solution instead.

Hi jeds.....by engineered solution do you have any examples of this companies etc....

 

[DIYedboy]

I think your upper roof angle will be too shallow even for shallow pitch tiles, why not just have a single monopitch or flat roof with epdm n make life easier?

 

[vards01]

I really do not want a flat roof. I am just trying to make this look as aesthetically pleasing as possible, The total span is roughly 5.9m. At this stage I'm just trying to consider all my options to draw up some plans.

 

[^woody^]

Any tiled roof looks twice as crap for every degree less than 15°.

You can't go with your mansard idea with two such low pitches either, as it will be technically difficult and visually dire. There are all those other pitches there too, so that needs to be factored in to your aesthetically pleasing criteria.

I can't see any better option than a flat roof and parapet wall up to the height of that oversailing course on the house.
The next option is a false pitch and central flat roof, but that portion of projecting mono ridge will look awkward, as will the necessary valley junction.

 

[garyo]

Is a modest two story extension out of the question. Duo pitch roof with ridge height set much lower than the main house, and perhaps a dormer window facing the same way as your Sky disk, and a window in the new gable end too?

 

[vards01]

No not out of the question, would all be down to cost really.....and definitely appreciate the idea.

I thought this was a good place to get several opinions so I could explore all avenues, so grateful for everyone's input.

My only concerns with a 2 storey extension is not getting my money back if I sold. ...I. e. It would be cheaper to move.

 

[garyo]

Compared to the complexity and cost of a low pitch single story mansard roof, if go for a simple 2 story every time if you can stomach any neighbour tension issues it might email?

You could keep the costs down by forgetting the dormer and just installing a single window in the gable end, maybe with a velux somewhere if you end up breaking the upstairs space in to multiple rooms.

I don't see why you wouldnt get your money back, especially if you're diy'ing it a bit.

 

[^woody^]

o for a simple 2 story every time

Its not just a case of plonking a two storey on the back. What about access to the new room from the house? What about the wasted space in getting access? Means of escape? Planning concerns, feasibilty and buildabilty?

 

[jeds]

Use the existing parapet party wall as is, pitched roof to the front and end with a flat roof on top, which will not be visible from the ground. It will look fine and the pitch can be anything you like. The only problem is this type of roof is usually built from trusses so I'd get an engineer to design you a steel frame structure which leaves the roof vaulted. Any local structeng should be able to do that.

 

[garyo]

Its not just a case of plonking a two storey on the back.

Of course not, but you've got to have a dream haven't you...

That's the second time this week I've been called a plonker, and it's only Tuesday.

 

[vards01]

I've just measured the eaves height at 4.2m so joining to the roof for the 2 storey extension would mean a fair amount of alteration to join to the existing structure. This would also enable me to have an upstairs bathroom....so definitely food for thought

 

[^woody^]

That's the second time this week I've been called a plonker

You don't have to be a plonker to plonk. But it helps.

 

[garyo]

I've just measured the eaves height at 4.2m so joining to the roof for the 2 storey extension would mean a fair amount of alteration to join to the existing structure.

I was envisaging you'd set the extension eaves height at the same height as your existing rear eaves, and therefore extend the 'skeilings' concept you have going on. You'll need to measure up and decide whether this gives you a worthwhile amount of headroom, especially where you might be trying to squeeze a corridor down the side of the space. The other thing to take a look at is your existing parapet wall - is that a party wall, in which case you won't be able to automatically use it to to build traditional eaves off, over-sail your neighbours roof etc. If that's the case you'd need a box gutter arrangement of some description, which isn't great.