Do you have to use steels in a loft conversion?

Do you have to use steels in a loft conversion?

The number one priority for every loft conversion is its structural integrity. If your planned conversion is not structurally sound, then it won’t meet building regulations. Because most internal walls are not strong enough to bear the load of a new living space, structural beams are usually necessary.

How much weight can a loft conversion take?

Typically the joists in a loft will support about 40kg/m2 of weight so providing you’re storing less than this you won’t need to do any additional work to strengthen the joists.

How do I strengthen my loft joists?

If the attic joists are not adequate, one way to strengthen the floor for live loads is to sister the old joists. Sistering is the process of adding a new joist next to each existing joist. In the case of 2 x 6 joists, you can pair them up with additional 2 x 6 joists by nailing them together, side by side.

How many steels are needed for a loft conversion?

The size of your conversion will determine how many loft conversion steel beams you need. In some instances, just one steel beam is required. The presence of certain design aspects, such as windows or floor to ceiling bi-fold doors in a dormer loft conversion, will also affect how many steel beams are required.

Are RSJs’suitable for loft conversion?

The RSJs are only for loft conversion and are not holding up any beams. Can I please get some advice on how to work out the sizing for the RSJs’, and how to get them into the loft? Thanks

Do I need a steel beam for my loft conversion?

In most loft conversions, steel beams are required to support the structure. As the number one builders steel stockholders in the Midlands area, we have a large steel beam and loft steel supply for lofts of all sizes.

What is an RSJ (rolled steel joist)?

What is an RSJ? RSJ is a term said casually by those in the know – it stands for Rolled Steel Joist. They can also be called ‘I beams’ due to the shape of the profile of a standard beam.

How do you calculate RSJ depth?

I’ve used the rule of thumb of ‘RSJ depth = span/20’ on a 4.6m span to work out that I need 2 x 254mm x 146mm x 4.6m RSJ (31kg/m) with a lindapter at the midpoint. Each RSJ’s total weight is 30kg/m x 4.6m = 138kg.