Ceiling joists on loft bedroom floor

3 years ago

Hi all, we have a slightly complex issue with the loft bedroom shown in the images, and would really appreciate any advice.

1. The stair case is non compliant

2. The roof height is too low (around 1.8m when it should be 2.1m over 60% of the floor space)

3. There are ceiling joists on the floor of the loft.

We are looking into raising the roof above the loft, but it's a costly exercise, so we are firstly going to tackle the stairs and have an L shaped staircase built.

However at some stage we have to address the joists in the loft floor, and if we have to add traditional floor joists, this will increase the height of the floor and affect the height of the stairs. So basically we have to know what height the floor will be before we can proceed wth the stairs.

Ideally we do not want to increase the height of the floor, so my question is, is there an alternative to traditional floor joists that will add the required strength but not raise the height? Steel? Doubled up ceiling joists?

Thanks for your help!

Comments (5)

oklouise
3 years ago
consider steel joists but you should consult an engineer to design the new loft floor and stairs so i wouldn't change the stairs until the new upstairs floor was carefully planned and i wonder if traditional dormer windows could also raise enough of the percentage of ceiling height over the minimum?
Matt Cox
Original Author
3 years ago
Hi Louise, thanks for your info. steel joists may be the way to go. unfortunately, dormer windows won't increase the height enough. That section of the roof needs to be raised by around a metre.
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User
3 years ago
Just at a glance , if you lower the floor joists ( which would be a big and expensive job in itself ) the downstairs would be too low ? I don't know the rules , nor how big your place is , but you may have to take out the stairs and not use upstairs ; or put walls or cupboards along the side walls to get to the 60% 'rule' ; maybe use it only as an office ? Another option may be to put wheels on your house , and claim it is a tiny house -- don't laugh , often councils are that tied up in their own rules they will have to allow it , as it will completely confuse them !
Matt Cox
Original Author
3 years ago
ha! love the tiny house concept, but alas the house is a little big for wheels. you are correct, the ceiling will be too low if the floor above is dropped. thanks for the tips :)
User
3 years ago
Some other slightly silly options --

-- Seeing the fridge there , maybe wall in the stairs , and put a door there with a sign that says 'Pantry'

-- Walk around upstairs on your knees

Slightly not so silly --

-- building an additional room or 2 would probably be cheaper than either lowering the joists , or raising the roof .

-- similar but different , a granny flat or similar may give you the space , but possibly make the house and flat worth more than an extended house , or a house with legally unusable space .

Ceiling joists on loft bedroom floor

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Ceiling joists on loft bedroom floor

Comments (5)

oklouise

Matt CoxOriginal Author

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