Thread: Floor joists
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Rob Morley
 
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In article . com,
"Callum" says...
Hi,

Can anyone help me with the following problem. I'm currently
renovating a 3 storey terraced house, and have moved onto the top floor
(see diagram below). The top floor is in the roof, but isn't an attic
conversion as there is an original dormer window to the front. The
problem I have is I want to create more space by knocking down a wall
(see * in the diagram below - it's only a lathe and plaster wall, non
load bearing)


Just because it's a stud wall doesn't mean that it's not holding the
roof up.

and taking the room into the eaves. This should be easy,
but where they used 6x2 joists (see 1) in the room, they used 3x2
joists (see 2) in the eaves. On top and across of the smaller joists
runs a 6x2 joist, which I guess is to stop them sagging with the weight
of the ceiling below. This joist is supported by the outer wall and
the last 6x2 joist. I guess this joist will have to come out
eventually as it's 3 inches higher than the floor in the room (3 inch
joist below + 6 inch joist = 9 inches vs 6 inch joist in the room)

How can I re-inforce these smaller joists so they can take the weight
of people moving around (although they are in the eaves, there is
enough head room for a bed, desk, etc). I'd also like to be able to
keep the whole floor at the same level.

I think the simplest solution is to fit more 6x2 joists alongside the
single one at the rear, then build up the floor at the front by three
inches. But you probably don't want to lose the headroom.
The best solution is to replace the 3" joists with 6" joists, but
that would require new ceilings downstairs.
An alternative is to build up the 3" joists to 6" by gluing and
screwing additional 3x2 along each one and fixing the ends by bolting
metal plates down the sides. Would this meet with building regs
approval? Probably best to ask a structural engineer.