Replies

1. 
   K.J._Talarsky | Jan 18, 1999 12:40am | #1

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   Triple new construction sq. foot costs.

   1. Demolition and landfill
   2. Protecting existing home during construction.
   3. Structural issues require transferance of new roof loads vertically to foundation, horizontally through some type of joist system.

   I have converted flat roofs to pitched, this is easy, ( most of the time ). When you start to examamine some of the above issues, you can see the logistics are involved. I believe anyone with decent framing knowledge can do it, but understand that it is pretty involved.

   cheers
   Kim Talarsky

1. 
   Mike_Merisko | Jan 20, 1999 12:02am | #2

   *The main question here is can the existing structure support the additional weight. If I your going to do this, I would at least remove the shingles and roof sheathing. This would substancially reduce the amount of weight on your exterior walls. You could then frame your new roof right along side the old rafters. If you have a soffit and fascia you have to frame to, you may have to add to the top plate because of the steeper pitch. You will also have to rip the new hip rafters to fit on top of the old hips.Another possibility, since all the hard work of tearing off the shingles and sheathing is done, remove the old rafters also. Depending on the age, size, and condition of the old framing members, you can use some of them for your jack rafters, thus saving money and trees. Building up your top plate still comes into play if you have a soffit and fascia.Just my 2 cents worth,Mike Merisko

2. 
   VerrocaL | Jan 20, 1999 12:02am | #3

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   We have a house with a low pitch roof. We want to increase the pitch, for appearance sake, by building a hip roof over the current one. Has anyone done this? What problems should I expect? Are the square foot costs the same as a standard concept?