Supporting beams, Can I do without them?

[Yukster]

I am clearing my loft, and I'd like to then insulate it and lay new flooring. But I've got these supporting beams in the way!

Untitled

• Yukster
• 22 Sep 2013
• 1

Untitled

• Yukster
• 22 Sep 2013
• 1

Untitled

• Yukster
• 22 Sep 2013
• 1

These diagonal beams hold a beam running across the rafters to support it. But it seems to me that it was added because the beam supporting the rafters isn't installed properly. Any advice?

 

[catlad]

Don't remove them would be my advice.

 

[Yukster]

Don't remove them would be my advice.

Thanks. I didn't think to just remove them. But i wonder whether if the the support beams will be needed if i fix the big beam running across the rafters into the brickwork?

 

[catlad]

Those beams are called purlins and they don't appear to be set in the brickwork? if you want self supporting beams you would probably need steel.

 

[Yukster]

Gotya. Thanks!

 

[lofthelp]

As you can see the purlins our not set into the wall .

So I would not remove the timbers because they are there for a reason , maybe to prevent roof spread.

They is a way around it but would take a lot of work to be done.