Loft beam removal

[Caseyjones]

Hi guys does anyone know if I can remove this beam it's literally being held in by a few rusty screws I'm going to do a loft conversion so I'll be adding extra strength by purlings above head and vertical under velux windows

 

[bernardgreen]

It looks like it is a tie beam. A tie beam stops the rafters moving apart and slipping over the edges of the wall .

 

[blup]

The main rafter also supports the ends of two purlins, you will need a structural engineer to calculate what can replace the tie.

Blup

 

[Taylortwocities]

Agree. You need an engineer to advise the options.
If you remove it, the roof could spread outwards under its own weight and you’ll end up with a flat roof. That might limit the headroom for your loft conversion!

 

[wessex101]

It looks more like a horizontral strut to me. It does not look original so I wonder if a previous owner was worried about that truss arrangement supporting the purlins so thought they would add the strut to take some of the bend out of the truss member. Almost like a queen post truss but without the vertical struts either side.

Whether you could remove it is another matter. That is quite an unusual arrangement and although it probably works in practice I imagine it would be difficult to prove it on paper with the roof loads from the purlins, so a structural engineer would probably recommend you add more supports not remove any.

 

[catlad]

I Dough't anything much will happen immediately but it will sag over time especially if the slates have been replaced for concrete roof tiles!

 

[Leofric]

Can't see how that horizontal timber is a strut as some suggest, it is a tie to stop the main rafters spreading out as others suggest. If that is removed it would need a ridge beam to prevent the roof dropping , but as with all these sort of things building regulations approval is required for structural alterations which requires a structural engineer's input and they will advise on the structural work required to form a loft conversion.
In the meantime don't remove any roof timbers.
Regards

 

[noseall]

Its not there to prevent spread. The ceiling joists are doing that and that one timber is not there to prevent a whole roof from spreading. Its probably there to help prevent twist or wind deflection (diaphragming) or summat.

 

[Nakajo]

Yeah, just rip it out - what's the worst that could happen? It was probably just there to give a bit of extra hanging space. Alternatively, where the safety and stability of your house is concerned, it might be an idea to consult a structural engineer instead of some random bloke on the internet.

 

[Doppleganger]

If it is to prevent spread, then it may be possible to replace the function of that timber with another timber, or even steel rod, at floor level, which can then be built into the floor, possibly as a small step over.
If it is to prevent sag in the roof, it may be possible to replace the function with vertical supports off nearby walls on the lower floor.
If it is to prevent twisting or deflection in high winds, it may be possible to replace the function with diagonal stabilising timbers under the rafters.

But as said by many, only expert on-site survey can provide accurate and reliable advice.

 

[^woody^]

it might be an idea to consult a structural engineer instead of some random bloke on the internet.

Is that statement a paradox or ironic?

Regards
Random Bloke

 

[^woody^]

does anyone know if I can remove this beam ..... I'm going to do a loft conversion

Lol.

I think that's the whole point of a "conversion"

Nice 10 post discusson though

 

[Leofric]

With respect to others opinions on this 'beam ', I see this as a raised tie truss with the principal rafters supporting the purlins which support the common rafters. The common rafters may be tied across by the ceiling joists but the large horizontal timber is the tie beam which is in tension preventing the principal rafters from spreading .

 

[^woody^]

Its a collar, not quite a truss.

It does not look to be in the bottom half of the rafter so won't be in tension or restraining the rafters (the ceiling joists will do that). If it's in the middle it's neutral, and if it's further up it's in compression preventing deflection or stabilising the ridge.

 

[noseall]

Its a collar, not quite a truss.

It does not look to be in the bottom half of the rafter so won't be in tension or restraining the rafters (the ceiling joists will do that). If it's in the middle it's neutral, and if it's further up it's in compression preventing deflection or stabilising the ridge.

You try convincing them lot ^^^^.