Loft conversion books

[RMConeyCarpentry]

Can anyone recommend a useful book to read in loft conversions that covers the structural and roof construction side of things.

I've had a look around but all the books seem to be more for the attention of the home owner and not for the trades person.

I have been working in carpentry for 7 years since leaving school but have never had the opportunity to work on a loft conversion project and its something that I want to learn about and get into.

I have just bought the roofing book published by for pros by pros, although this is an American book I do like to read their books.

 

[MrCloser]

Can't recommend any books, but if you don't already have it maybe brush up on your applied maths: trigonometry, resolution of vectors, moments of forces, areas, densities etc will help you quantify and being able to calculate floor loadings and roof beam bracing if required.

Numbers in kN/m2 would make building regs a lot more understandable, and you will sell better to the punters as a loft conversion expert, as well as a top pro chippy. Most of your jobs, with experience , will be a visual assessment of where it needs reinforcing, and maybe a structural engineer's report to cover your arse if in doubt, but Knowledge is power. Been out f the building trade for years but numbers are everything imo.

 

[estwig]

nah sorry Mr Closer, it don't work like that, the chippy does what the the plans and spec tell him to do, been a few years since the chippy was left to work it out on site!

Unfortunately there are no good books that I could find, and i have looked extensively. I think maybe it is because loft conversions are all so very different, makes it difficult to write a book. Or perhaps because it is very specialist knowledge that has to be learned by experience, as it is not taught anywhere.

I been building and designing lofts for over 10 years now, anything specific you wanna know?

 

[RMConeyCarpentry]

nah sorry Mr Closer, it don't work like that, the chippy does what the the plans and spec tell him to do, been a few years since the chippy was left to work it out on site!

Unfortunately there are no good books that I could find, and i have looked extensively. I think maybe it is because loft conversions are all so very different, makes it difficult to write a book. Or perhaps because it is very specialist knowledge that has to be learned by experience, as it is not taught anywhere.

I been building and designing lofts for over 10 years now, anything specific you wanna know?

all of it really, the only thing i can say i know is the terminology of things.

ive often thought about giving myself for free to work with a loft conversion company just to gain a bit more experience in the subject. maybe its something i really need to do now i just know if i did ill get jobs coming in.

for now i think ill just start reading more roofing books

 

[estwig]

I suppose if your really keen, you could look at your local council website loft conversion planning applications, some of the plans will have the spec for the loft conversion on them, mine do. Long winded wading through planning apps , but doable.

 

[RMConeyCarpentry]

yep thats an idea, ill have to look into it when i have some time free

 

[RMConeyCarpentry]

Have just found this, it's something on the same lines I was looking for but need a thick book full of how to and much more info.

Nevertheless it's a good read for someone else looking into it

http://www.internode.co.uk/loft/superstructure.htm

 

[super chip]

what do you need to know , im sure i can help

dave

take a look at my website and roof work

 

[Spearmint]

Take a look at the book by Roy Chudley titled Building Construction Handbook. Its available from Amazon where you can 'Look inside' to see if its what you want.

I remember the author from my student days many years ago, and its highly likely that there could well be other authors who have written more extensively on the subject that you want since then.

However, the book I've recommended covers many other aspects of construction apart from lofts, and is also likely to be useful for other information.

Apart from the roof carpentry there are other significant factors that come into play, particularly in terms of the building regulations such as means of access (staircase), fire regs, minimum ceiling heights etc, so if you're entering into the design as well, there are quite a few factors to consider.

 

[RMConeyCarpentry]

Thanks super chip, but as spearmint said its more of the regulations, knowing the right sized timbers to use, means of access, what you need to put in when you take away ect the whole lot really

I've had a loft conversion job to price up but declined it in the end as I wasn't prepared to jump into it without knowing how to do it properly.

I will have a look at that book thanks.