Welsh Stone Wall Cottage Roof

[Mark & Fi]

Hi All,
Just joined forum and hoping to get some advice on renovating our recent purchase. A cottage built circa 1880 in Tregaron. Aside from all the damp issues, wall breathing, rotten wood, broken slates etc. We are looking to replace a metal sheet roof with slates on an attached barn and have been advised to cast a ring beam on each end to form a flat surface for the wall plates. Does anyone have any advice on the dimensions and position? The walls are about 2' thick.
Could this be done in concrete blocks?
Building regs aren't involved and have advised we can raise the roof as long as it stays below the height of the main house.
Thanks

 

[MatthewC]

Hi there, welcome to the forum.

You don't say what your new cottage and barn are made of?

Casting a ring beam? Is that meant to add strength to the existing walls, or just to support the wall plate? Assuming the construction is stone, I would be using NHL3.5 for that, although I might lay the wall plates directly on the wall if it's sound - I'm pretty sure that's how it's done on my mid 19th C limestone house.

NB you say that you have been advised about raising the roof. I trust it was Planning who said that - if not, do speak to them. Also, make sure that your roof is strong enough for slates which are heavier than sheet metal.

Best of luck

Matthew

 

[paulc]

Here's a useful document showing a few methods of casting a ring beam in situ https://www.cde.int/sites/default/files/documents/site_construction_skills_for_bricklayers_of_fired_clay_and_compressed_earth_bricks_2004_part_2.pdf

As for dimensions, you really need to consult a structural engineer - They would be able to calculate the loading of the roof and come up with a minimum size to prevent the walls from being pushed out.

 

[88v8]

If you get to the point where you could use a good builder, these chaps in Abergavenny are excellent with old buildings - limecrete, lime plastering, woodwork, the whole lot.
http://www.brownstoneconstruction.co.uk/#2

Ivor

 

[Mark & Fi]

Hi there, welcome to the forum.

You don't say what your new cottage and barn are made of?

Casting a ring beam? Is that meant to add strength to the existing walls, or just to support the wall plate? Assuming the construction is stone, I would be using NHL3.5 for that, although I might lay the wall plates directly on the wall if it's sound - I'm pretty sure that's how it's done on my mid 19th C limestone house.

NB you say that you have been advised about raising the roof. I trust it was Planning who said that - if not, do speak to them. Also, make sure that your roof is strong enough for slates which are heavier than sheet metal.

Best of luck

Matthew

Hi Matthew,

Thanks for the advice.

Its a stone wall cottage with brick pillars around the doors and windows.