"Hugo Nebula" wrote in message
...
On Sat, 12 Jun 2004 15:43:15 +0100, a particular chimpanzee named
"Chris" randomly hit the keyboard and
produced:

Summer is close, got a few weeks off work, I challenge myself to get the
loft converted at last.

Also are there any online guide's available on the internet on how to
convert a loft etc, just for some guidance.

http://www.bathnes.gov.uk/buildingco...rsionguide.htm
won't enable you to design a conversion, but it should be able to give
you an indication of what you need to look for. If you're unsure of
the basics, like the depth of floor joists required, then I would
suggest that you have plans drawn up by a surveyor or architect, with
the structural alterations designed by a structural engineer.
--
Hugo Nebula
"The fact that no-one on the internet wants a piece of this
shows you just how far you've strayed from the pack".

Well there are tables of how long a span floor joist can be, using various
thicknesses, types, quality and depths of wood. And one can 'double up'
ceiling joists to become floor joists using fairly common building carpentry
practices.
But respectfully suggest that if you have no building experience/feel for
what would be correct you get some advice, otherwise you could cause 'saggy'
ceilings, problems rerouting existing ceiling wiring, allowing for plumbing
vents through to the roof etc. Also even though your handwork might be fine
and completely usable, your insurance company might not like that or might
deem that non standard construction is not insurable?
Also in many jurisdictions lofts are not permissible as 'living space' or at
least not without exits and smoke alarms etc. for safety; therefore loft
space only usable for storage which is accessed occasionally!
Whether allowing the children to play up there during the day, while adults
present downstairs, would be allowable is probably moot?
But without a window/s accessible from the ground, for a rescue or fireman's
hose ladder, using attic/loft for 'living' activities not a good idea at all
IMHO.
Since attics are supposed to be ventilated you may have to install a vapour
barrier on the inside (warm) side of any finished walls you install up there
otherwise warm damp house air may condense in unventilated spaces and cause
damp, mould and rot. Mould bad for health and rot bad for roof.!
Not trying to be negative but be careful. We've had posts on this ng, from
time to time, that indicate in some instances, very little awareness of the
use of vapour barriers, insulation of outer walls etc. There was one case,
either on this or a similar discussion forum, where someone had mould
(fungus?) growing on inside of their, presumably rapidly rotting, wood roof
rafters! I presume they were NOT joking.