hi guys ... this is my first append to what seems to be a useful forum. Hope that you can help me with a issue relating to the design of the roof for a small single storey extension.
I am in the process of drawing up the plans for a small 4.5 x 3.5m single storey extension which is intended as a family room. Details are as follows
- East facing .. abuts to house
- South facing .. glass (wooden frames with double windows) apart from pillars at either side.
- West facing ... solid block/brick cavity wall
- North facing .. 1/3 abuts to house, 2/3 block/brick wall with window
- 4.5 dimension runs N-S
- Pitched roof (30 deg) to run N-S
- South pitched end to be vertical
- Roof to be hipped at N end i.e. slopes to E,W and N with a vertical section and small window up to ridge height on N face (reason for the hipped roof at the N end is to join in on N and E with the house which is a 'cottage style' with eaves about 3.5m above ground level).
- Roof to be totally tiled apart from N face vertical section and window
I reckon that I can figure out how to do most of this and draw up structural plans for everything up to roof level.
However, what I am unsure about is the best way to brace the roof so that that weight of the roof does not apply a spreading pressure to the walls on W and N sides. Should I have bracing timbers (or steel of some sort) at eaves height or part way up the rafters ? How many braces will be required ? I assume that E-W braces will be required but will the N walls needs to be braced ? Could I get away without braces and a steel frame ? How does one go about designing such a roof ? Or should I bite the bullet and see an architect or structural engineer ?
Any advice much appreciated.
Thanks
Ron
I am in the process of drawing up the plans for a small 4.5 x 3.5m single storey extension which is intended as a family room. Details are as follows
- East facing .. abuts to house
- South facing .. glass (wooden frames with double windows) apart from pillars at either side.
- West facing ... solid block/brick cavity wall
- North facing .. 1/3 abuts to house, 2/3 block/brick wall with window
- 4.5 dimension runs N-S
- Pitched roof (30 deg) to run N-S
- South pitched end to be vertical
- Roof to be hipped at N end i.e. slopes to E,W and N with a vertical section and small window up to ridge height on N face (reason for the hipped roof at the N end is to join in on N and E with the house which is a 'cottage style' with eaves about 3.5m above ground level).
- Roof to be totally tiled apart from N face vertical section and window
I reckon that I can figure out how to do most of this and draw up structural plans for everything up to roof level.
However, what I am unsure about is the best way to brace the roof so that that weight of the roof does not apply a spreading pressure to the walls on W and N sides. Should I have bracing timbers (or steel of some sort) at eaves height or part way up the rafters ? How many braces will be required ? I assume that E-W braces will be required but will the N walls needs to be braced ? Could I get away without braces and a steel frame ? How does one go about designing such a roof ? Or should I bite the bullet and see an architect or structural engineer ?
Any advice much appreciated.
Thanks
Ron