Most importantly I wanted to replace
as many of the flat roofs as I could. I think the idea of a flat roof is bad
anyway, let alone on Skye, with it's sustained rainfall. I also wanted to
replace the old felt roof covering with a new slate covering, to match the
original houses nearby.
Building Control informed me that the
current upstairs space would not meet current regulations regarding head high
(the height was under 1.9m), and so could not be classified as habitable space.
This left me with a problem.
As I mentioned before, I commissioned
and architect to help me out. Given the brief he came up with the idea, that I
would later use, and would solve the flat roof and head height problems in one
go. This involved raising the original roof by about 0.5m. This would provide
ample space in the new roof space for creating a bedroom, but would also allow a
good 22.5 degree pitch on the back of the house to allow me to create a sloping
roof clad with traditional slate. This was the answer, and the route I decided
to go down.
There were also a few other considerations and
obstacles that needed to be overcome.
At the same time as applying for planning
permission for the roof alterations I also applied to re-instate a window in the
back porch. The back of the house was very dingy, and a window had already be
blocked up previously. I decided to re-instate it to allow in much more light,
especially in the morning, as it is south facing.
To meet fire regulations, and because of the
internal layout I had to install emergency escape windows in the roof and in the
back bedroom. The roof window is just a large Velux allowing a person to climb
out and onto the front flat roof. The back window needed to be enlarged by about
20cm closer to the floor.
The biggest problem next was actually constructing
the roof. I wanted a traditional 45 degree pitch on the front, but a 22.5 degree
pitch on the back. I ideally wanted a truss manufactured to meet the
specification, and to reduce work. Every truss manufacturer I went to was unable
to design a suitable truss without the requirement for re-enforced steel
Perlins. Perlins were not an option because I wanted the sarking to be visible.
In the end I decided to have only the back 22.5 degree roof engineered - the
main 45 degree roof I cut on site. All the frames were custom built by me and my
farther on site.
