Trussed Loft Conversions

More difficult certainly.

But by no means impossible or impractical.

Most modern houses built between the mid 1960s and the turn of the century will feature a truss rafter roof.

The main reason for this is that modern houses tend to have a sallower pitched roof. The houses were built in this manner to save money on materials.

The shallow pitch of the roof immediately makes the loft harder to convert because of the lack of headroom.

However, the main reason why it is harder to convert a trussed roof is because everyone of the structural timbers is absolutely essential to hold up the roof.

Therefore it is no easy task to remove any of the timbers without major restructuring work having to be carried out yet they must be taken out in order to free up room for the conversion.

The usual way in which trussed loft conversions are carried out is to install steel joists across the width of the roof and running the full length of the roof.

The beams are supported by the gable ends of the roof and replace the original wooden struts which are removed once the steel beams are in place.

If there isn't a gable end for support than new struts have to be installed to support the purlins.

The part of the wooden structure that remains is then supported on the new steel beams.

At the same time the joint at the top of each pair of rafters has to be reinforced. Usually with a timber 'collar' or sometimes with another steel beam.

Now all that doesn't really seem very complicated. Unfortunately it is.

Complex and very precise structural calculations have to be made by an engineer to ensure that the roof is supported correctly and it is no easy matter to get the beams inserted and the truss removed.

So, although converting the loft of a house with a trussed roof is more problematical than converting more traditionally built properties a good building company will still be able to carry out the work.

For more info see the related pages below or complete the form at the bottom of the page for a free no obligation quote from tradesmen near you for your loft conversion project...

How To Get A Free No Obligation Loft Conversion Quote

Beams For Loft Conversions

Loft Conversion Guide (inc Trussed Loft Conversions)

Build A Loft Conversion

New Loft Conversion Articles

Loft Conversion