loft conversion _without_ strengthening roof?!?

Dave Plowman (News) wibbled on Saturday 21 November 2009 13:15

Which is interesting. If you have a look at the IET (IEE) forums, the users group roughly like this:

"Arrrgh no do touch it you will blow yourself up and everyone within 3 streets death to DIY" (suspect some minimally qualified and minimal experience guild members)

"Straightforward and practical suggestions, sometimes with a: are you sure you want to do this?" (suspect well qualified and very experienced sparks)

"Deeply insightful return question to make you think and short succinct and exteremely polite information, often with elements you never even thought about" (engineers and long term multi-disciplinary sparks)

The 3rd group is where matey claims to be, and yet I have to see a true master on a forum behave like a prima donna.

I really must get round to reading them more!

Pity they don't gateway to Usenet...! :-)

Very odd. Would make house construction cheaper though as long as there was still sufficient height to use standard doors. Save over 10% on brickwork.

Back in the 70s the minimum ceiling height for a habitable room was 7'

Bob Eager wibbled on Saturday 21 November 2009 15:25

They have RSS. I've been meaning to look at gating RSS to NNTP locally here.

Ah, but fortunately even noddy house builders know that they can't drop ceilings too low without shrinking the room - visually it makes it unsaleable.

What I wish we would do is copy the German/Dutch long overhang eaves, it makes for dryer walls, longer roof life before reroof and better aesthetics.

ROOF is not being explicit, but obsfuscating.

USENET discussion was basically... a) "Loft storage" - you can line a loft for storage, but would be unwise to load it heavily without checking ceiling joist strength b) "Loft more habitable" - trying to convert to "more habitable office" by cheats such as fixed ladder, lining, avoiding the necessary structural assessment and alteration re roof, floor, fire c) "Loft habitable bedroom" - creating a habitable bedroom to add value rather than the appropriately cited "cowboy bodge" requires PP BR etc - and for the OP a Dormer re headroom

I see nothing wrong with that.

OP needs to be clear in their mind about use.

- "a)" Loft storage

- "c)" Habitable dormer conversion

- because "b)" is not a shortcut to "c)" :-)

Bluntly "b)" is building a shed without house foundations with a view to convert it to a house later. It will always be a shed even if you stick Canary Wharf on top of it (or falling through it).

OP might well look at other houses if they DO want c) because it can directly affect the end cost and thus end value added.

'Hand' what around ? pray..... certainly don't pass it our way thank-you

There was a professional farter many years ago - French, I think. Le Petomane?

In message , "Dave Plowman (News)" writes

What about our own Mr Methane in his green batman suit and cape?

Guaranteed to break wind at parties

Or not ...

Maxie! Is that what you are into? I though your flatulence problems had been sorted by now. I know you broke wind loudly in public in Watford on Saturdays afternoons. But Maxie!

In message , Doctor Drivel writes

What's this - been hidibng the pills under your tongue again ?

Nursie won't be pleased with you

Hi Andy. Can I suggest you read your contribution before you post it? You've defeated your own argument.

So between you and your architect, you screw the job up and blame the structural engineer?

John, I feel I'm bashing my head against the proverbial brick wall here. A newsgroup IS NOT the forum to discuss structural issues. Presumably some of the contributers here may be sufficiently well-versed to explain to a poster how to wire up a 3-pin plug, but where structure is concerned there are simply too many variables/issues to take into account that would preclude anyone from giving anything other than generic advice - go appoint a professional.

In this thread, your pal Dave Plowman has cited his own experience where he maintains the structural engineer got it wrong. I'm struggling to understand how that could happen with a very simple structure such as a house. And there rests my case. You can't adequately convey enough information in a newsgroup thread, either as an original poster or a contributer, without risk of being misunderstood.

Well let me see. Anyone wandering into this newsgroup has a few fairly simple choices to make. They can decide to provide some relevant content or they can sit there shouting that everyone else is wrong but apparently unable to offer constructive advice themselves.

They can also read the posts and come to conclusions about who is helpful and who is a nutter. Usually the clued-up manage this fairly quickly, especially when it comes to realising that Drivel is a headcase. You have, in a remakably short time, decided to align yourself with the f****it and to blather about your superior knowledge while showing zero evidence to support the claim. Well done, that should guarantee your (temporary) status as a clown. A few more posts in like style and you'll simply become kill-file fodder.

And why do you think that matters to me?

Hopefully, the OP has gone outside this newsgroup to secure the proper advice that he needs.

Nice one Steve

"Pot calling the kettle black" mean anything to you?

Adam

Because presumably since you're taking the time to type out your fuckwitted opinion you actually want some people to read it. Unless of course you're as big an onanist as you are making yourself out to be.

Hopefully you'll get your head out of your srse before you suffocate. Well actually hopefully not, you do seem to like it up there.

Roof wibbled on Sunday 22 November 2009 19:05

Let me see... This newsgroup has been here for over 15 years. You've been here (apparently) for 3 days. We'll discuss what we like and if you don't like it, you've already had some suggestions what you can do.

Many things here have untold numbers of variables.

I'm struggling to understand how an established builder can think pouring SLC onto asphaltic floor adhesive is a good idea. Or how the same person can think balancing a lintel on a single column of celcon blocks (1/2 length) with two weedy screws as wall ties is good workmanship.

The answer is simple. Some professionals are lazy/bodgers/clueless/wankers or combinations thereof. I'm sure your claimed profession is far from immune from having its share of lazy/bodgers/clueless/wankers.

So?