Removing roof supports

[the snooper]

Layman speaking here, but I expect that "strength" is more than just the thickness of the wood - there will be (should be!) complex geometric calculations to ensure that lateral / push / pull loads are also catered for. So the angles of the wood are probably an intrinsic part of the load and bracing calculations.

Nothing stopping the installation of some steelwork to replace them to stop the lateral push pull forces and would probably be stronger the timber will be nailed you could not in the steelwork

 

[Kayos]

But won't steel add extra load?

 

[MattF]

Nothing stopping the installation of some steelwork to replace them to stop the lateral push pull forces and would probably be stronger the timber will be nailed you could not in the steelwork

How sturdy would a non diagonal replacement have to be though, to achieve the same end? I'm guessing weight, size, time and cost would all make it unviable.

 

[rtbcomp]

We bought a house with a badly designed roof and the whole lot had to be replaced. The next door already had steel bracing in place but last time I went past I noticed their roof had been replaced.

 

[the snooper]

But won't steel add extra load?

So does storing your junk up there

 

[the snooper]

How sturdy would a non diagonal replacement have to be though, to achieve the same end? I'm guessing weight, size, time and cost would all make it unviable.

Steel frame with every other opening having a diagonal

 

[Gritineye]

I've built a few roofs, nothing is stronger than a triangle, the gables will be strapped to the timber roof to stop them moving, not the brickwork holding the roof, nuff said.

 

[Kayos]

So does storing your junk up there

I meant hanging off the trusses

They are all premade off site and probably more complicated than they first look, same with how they are fitted

 

[the snooper]

I meant hanging off the trusses

They are all premade off site and probably more complicated than they first look, same with how they are fitted

The diagonals and horizontals would have been added during the roof build he only wants to remove the diagonals, I don't see a problem at all and if the op wants some solid advice he should ask a loft conversion company as they will remove all sorts of timbers and fit alternatives

 

[brightspark]

[QUOTEtie straps are put in to stop the roof lifting off in heavy storm winds as the roof can act as an aerofoil and lift easyhttp://www.screwfix.com/p/sabrefix-heavy-duty-restraint-straps-10-pack/74769?kpid=74769&cm_mmc=Google-_-Product%20Listing%20Ads-_-Sales%20Tracking-_-sales%20tracking%20url&gclid=CJ_nzJKt_tACFQIL0wodghUNAA

 

[gaz1]

to be honest dont move them anymore than what you have done though depending on what your putting up there my comment would be add some more strength to them

 

[brightspark]

my roof hasn't got any its 130 years old . the roof spars are 4x2 sat on a couple of 9x3 cross beams . a real roof

 

[gaz1]

my roof hasn't got any its 130 years old . the roof spars are 4x2 sat on a couple of 9x3 cross beams . a real roof

ours is quite alot older as one of the first to be built yet it turns out its actually a farm cottage with the old oak beams and a college visit as they was interested in the beam work above the ceiling

everything else just got built around it

 

[Bobtail4x4]

the diagonals are bracing to stop the trusses going over like dominos, if you had braced the roof before tiling with ply or board you wouldnt need them,

DONT just go removing timber,
BTW Im a bco.

 

[Omniata]

My parents is the same, early 1830's...
The purlins are oak as far as we can tell, look like 9x4's possibly thicker, rafters look like 4x3's, all the surrounding modern houses have suffered over the years, theirs has been stood solid the whole time...

 

[109party]

to be honest dont move them anymore than what you have done though depending on what your putting up there my comment would be add some more strength to them

I haven't removed or changed anything I was just asking before I did.

 

[Wendelspanswick]

I have just finished bracing the roof on the barn.
You would think that with a 200 x 100 mm steel frame and 220 x 70 mm purlins it would be pretty ridged without bracing but it surprised me how much the gable ends flexed when you put a ladder up against
them.
Adding diagonal 150 x 25 mm bracing has made the gables rock solid.

 

[roofman]

You would be surprised how much the roof battons brace a roof ...ive always used ring shanked nails too when everyone else was using plain wire nails. Try take a bit of batton off a spar thats fixed with a shanked nail to find out why. Trussed roofs are not for strength or rigidity there for cheapness and speed of fitment imho