Murch

Hello folks. 1st time poster so forgive me if my terminology isn’t correct on certain components . Basically we have bought a new home to which we need to carry out certain renovations. The first job on the agenda is seeing if I can raise the height of 2 doorways. The older part of the house was originally a block of three very small cottages so also originally were not linked by doors between . I shall try and post a picture below for reference as I try to describe the issue . As the cottages we’re fairly small the upper floors are I think what is referred to as “vaulted” . Inside each room is actually a decent head height. However where they had put doors adjoining each cottage, the height of the doorways is some 5’! I’m 6’6” so don’t wish to bang my shoulders let alone my head ! The reason these doors are low is because there is a timber joist spanning each wall and tied to the outer walls with a bracket . So my 1st question is .. is this actually a structural joist even though “collar ties” are installed onto every rafter ? From the picture I shall attach the dividing walls do not extend to the point of the roof. Also there is no ridge board or beam, just rafter to rafter .

Hello @Roundtuit I hope your well . Yes our rental property was the grade II listed property which was great fun, the very little work the estate owners did was very much scrutinised from brick and mortar samples to the incredibly draughty sash windows we had . The new property however is not listed ( just old ) . I think living in a listed building put me off ever buying one .

Hi there Tony L. Part of the new property was built as farm hand cottages so it’s in essence a row of 3 1 up 1 down cottage. Later in life by the original owner / farmer he extended the rear and converted the 3 to make a detached larger property. The newer extension meets modern standards with the common 2.4m ceiling heights etc. The older part has lower ceilings downstairs but even lower upstairs with what I believe would be a “vaulted roof” I’m 6’6” and the doors are around 5’. So my first project will be to see if I can raise the door heights to 2 of the rooms .

Hello fellow enthusiasts / renovators and self builders. Thought I would introduce myself before trawling for advice. Me and my family have rented in for what seems a lifetime however my landlord has decided to sell the old grade II listed farmhouse we have occupied for the last 11 years. At this point I decided if we don’t buy now we likely never will. So have potentially took the leap and purchased a property in need of some serious tlc and renovation aspects of which I have no idea wether are possible. I’m a plumbing and heating engineer by trade so things like building, roofs and possible structural issues are why I am here .