Hello!! I'm new to period properties so any advice is much appreciated. I have seen an edwardian property that really like but I noticed that the roof does not have the gable feature anymore ( the part that is above the bay window and part of the roof) . The roof has obviously been replaced because the flat is in a terrace but this is the only one that does not have the gable. Does anyone know why someone would replace a roof without the gable, as I would have thought this would have been part of the structure? Would be interested if anyone else has a roof similar to this. Thanks!
- Thread starter dodo
- Start date
Hi Dodo,
does the terrace look anythink like this?
If the property is for sale and is advertised on the web you can post the image on the forum (see the 'Test' section for advice on how to do it) and I'm sure somebody with some roofing exdperience will be able to provide you with some solid advice.
regards
Rob
does the terrace look anythink like this?
If the property is for sale and is advertised on the web you can post the image on the forum (see the 'Test' section for advice on how to do it) and I'm sure somebody with some roofing exdperience will be able to provide you with some solid advice.
regards
Rob
Penners
Member
- Messages
- 17,294
- Location
- Suffolk, England
Dodo
It would certainly be interesting if you could post a picture, as Rob suggests.
However, I'm not sure that anyone will be able to give you a definitive answer as to why an Edwardian roof has been modified. Period properties of all vintages have had inexplicable modifications carried out over the centuries, for thousands of different reasons - economy, misguided fashion... you name it.
The only thing you can really do is get a proper structural survey done, to ensure that the modification has been done to a satisfactory standard. If it has, and if you like the house regardless of the roof shape, then you might want to go ahead and make an offer!
It would certainly be interesting if you could post a picture, as Rob suggests.
However, I'm not sure that anyone will be able to give you a definitive answer as to why an Edwardian roof has been modified. Period properties of all vintages have had inexplicable modifications carried out over the centuries, for thousands of different reasons - economy, misguided fashion... you name it.
The only thing you can really do is get a proper structural survey done, to ensure that the modification has been done to a satisfactory standard. If it has, and if you like the house regardless of the roof shape, then you might want to go ahead and make an offer!
Hi Rob and Penners
Thank you for your replies. Here is the image of the property. I did not really notice the missing gable until I looked at all the other properties in the terrace and noticed that it was the odd one out. I will definitely have a structural survey carried out. Have you seen one like this before?
Thank you for your replies. Here is the image of the property. I did not really notice the missing gable until I looked at all the other properties in the terrace and noticed that it was the odd one out. I will definitely have a structural survey carried out. Have you seen one like this before?
Those uPVC 'copies' of the original sashes - aaargh why do people do it?
I've seen something like this, circa 1890 though:
So it may have been built that way, to make the terrace less uniform and add interest. Or it equally could have been altered.
The only way to know is to get up in the roofspace and have a look for signs of alterations / repairs / other mucking about. Even if it has been altered it may be perfectly sound - or not - as Penners advised - get the survey.
Still, it is a lovely terrace - good luck and I hope you get the house!
Ian
I've seen something like this, circa 1890 though:
So it may have been built that way, to make the terrace less uniform and add interest. Or it equally could have been altered.
The only way to know is to get up in the roofspace and have a look for signs of alterations / repairs / other mucking about. Even if it has been altered it may be perfectly sound - or not - as Penners advised - get the survey.
Still, it is a lovely terrace - good luck and I hope you get the house!
Ian
Penners
Member
- Messages
- 17,294
- Location
- Suffolk, England
Go on, Moo. Don't be shy. I bet your garbage is no more garbage than my posts. They're more fun that way!
Penners
Member
- Messages
- 17,294
- Location
- Suffolk, England
dodo said:
We probably all have, Dodo. But there's a difference between seeing and registering. We all see so many buildings of every age, style and type every day that I think we don't always notice the quirky little features (well - I don't, anyway!). Actually, in isolation I don't think it looks too unsightly - if it wasn't for the other houses you probably might never have noticed the modification.
As I said above, if you really like the building, and assuming that the modified structure is sound, I can't see any reason not to buy it.
biffvernon
Member
- Messages
- 4,607
- Location
- Lincolnshire
I reckon it's original. What's the house just off the right of the photo like?
mark_j_k
Member
- Messages
- 59
- Location
- Nottingham
Looking at the photo, it looks like the ridge tiles have been replaced as they do not match next doors. There are also tiles separating the two roofs.
Looks like a re-roof to me, is it possible that the original gable timbers were rotten and removal was the cheaper alternative.
Looks like a re-roof to me, is it possible that the original gable timbers were rotten and removal was the cheaper alternative.
Hello everybody!!
Thanks for all your comments, yes it's the one in the middle, the house/ flat on the right has a gable too like the one on the left..to be honest I didn't really notice it at first until I stood across the road and started looking at the 'pattern' of the roofs and noticed it was the odd one out. We have put an offer on and had it accepted, so I suppose I will wait for the structural survey report and fingers crossed it is ok. I'm a first time buyer so I am quite nervous but excited at the same time. It does look a little out of place without the gable but it doesn't look too ugly does it?
Thanks for all your comments, yes it's the one in the middle, the house/ flat on the right has a gable too like the one on the left..to be honest I didn't really notice it at first until I stood across the road and started looking at the 'pattern' of the roofs and noticed it was the odd one out. We have put an offer on and had it accepted, so I suppose I will wait for the structural survey report and fingers crossed it is ok. I'm a first time buyer so I am quite nervous but excited at the same time. It does look a little out of place without the gable but it doesn't look too ugly does it?
biffvernon
Member
- Messages
- 4,607
- Location
- Lincolnshire
No, it's the up-market neo-Georgian look that distinquishes it from the bog-standard Edardian gables of the low-status neighbours. Believe it.dodo said:
Penners
Member
- Messages
- 17,294
- Location
- Suffolk, England
As I said above, Dodo, if it wasn't for the other houses I don't think you would ever have noticed the modification. It's a handsome house in its own right.
As Biff has observed, don't regard it as an oddity - call it "individual"!
As Biff has observed, don't regard it as an oddity - call it "individual"!