Is a skylight possible with our flatroof design?

[imsparticus]

Hi, not sure if this question should be in the roof, loft or building section but here goes anyhow. We have recently bought a house that has had an extension approx 10 yrs ago with a ground floor double garage, a large room over and it has a raised flat roof.
We would very much like to add a flat roof light or lantern roof light to the room as it is quite dark but we were wondering exactly how much trouble it would be, by trouble I’m sure anything can be done for a price but like most people we would like that price to be reasonable.

I have added a small diagram of the approximate roof construction with the hoped for roof light position added in red. I appreciate that there will a fair amount of modification required to the roof structure to accommodate the light but are we barking up the wrong tree completely due to the roof construction as it exists or is it possible for a reasonable cost? Or is more info needed before any answers can be given?

 

[datarebal]

a sketch from the other angle would be good , showing all timbers

 

[SurreyRoofingEstimator]

One option that may be worth considering is Sun Tubes, they give a surprising amount of light considering their size and means you won't have to do too much structurally

 

[Static]

One option that may be worth considering is Sun Tubes, they give a surprising amount of light considering their size and means you won't have to do too much structurally

Ditto this.. sun pipes between the trusses

 

[imsparticus]

Hi, thanks for the replies here are some pictures of what’s going on inside the void. The inside shots have all been taken from the centre of the void looking longitudinally away from the chimney breast. (Hope they help). I have thought about sun tubes but we really would like a large (ish) expanse of glass if it is possible. One last thing is, there isn’t any beam running down the centre under the trusses/insulation, only the thin one you can see with the cables on. What we would basically like to know is can we cut-out some of this structure to fit a skylight and if so how much and what sort of extra bracing would be required?
Thanks again.

 

[Cumbrianroofer30yrsexp]

As mentioned sun tubes would be ideal for this and as stated let in a hell of alot of light.

 

[imsparticus]

Agreed, but they dont have the same wow factor or let you see the sky

 

[Static]

Well if you want wow factor then a full skylight can work, would need to trim one of the existing trusses, chances are would require additional trusses placed each side to take the weight..

So roof would need to be locally stripped or worst case all the way to eaves each side of the truss spans.. new trusses added, old one trimmed back and new roof light done and waterproofed.. then coverings replaced.. Would also need to splay out under the roof level to get some effect from the light, potentially 45deg splay which would make the ceiling fun to build..

Not a cheap or easy option.. definitely in the thousands.. probably around 5k ish..

Sun pipes/tubes are alot cheaper and dont effect the structure.. can put multiple over a roof for extra effect..

 

[imsparticus]

Many thanks Static, I'm guessing a structural engineer would be our next step if we wanted to go ahead and get a full idea of what's possible?

 

[Static]

Hmm.. you would be better off deciding what size rooflight you want.. be it a 1mx1m one or 5mx3m with sliding cover..

Might be worth getting in a good flat roofer or specialist skylight person for some general advice/quotes.. then when you know what you want then think about an SE if needed..

 

[imsparticus]

Hmm.. you would be better off deciding what size rooflight you want.. be it a 1mx1m one or 5mx3m with sliding cover..

Might be worth getting in a good flat roofer or specialist skylight person for some general advice/quotes.. then when you know what you want then think about an SE if needed..

Ideally we would like something in the region of 1.5x2.5 (mmmm sliding cover would be nice) but would compromise depending on amount of work required to fit. The skylight people seem to want to have all the supporting work already done so they can just come and drop the roof light on top. Will try and find a good flat roofer...........Know any in the East Sussex area????
Thanks again.

 

[Nige F]

East Sussex? I know a couple of roofers but you`ll need a chippy to follow a structural engineer`s instructions for those trusses How far from Eastbourne ?

 

[imsparticus]

East Sussex? I know a couple of roofers but you`ll need a chippy to follow a structural engineer`s instructions for those trusses How far from Eastbourne ?

We about 15mls from Eastbourne in Battle. We have the details of the guys who built the original trusses about 10yrs ago if we need more of the same.

 

[freddiemercurystwin]

sliding cover would be nice

This will easily double the price of the rooflight.

 

[imsparticus]

sliding cover would be nice

This will easily double the price of the rooflight.

Thanks, but at the moment it seems the cost of the actual skylight is a secondary consideration.