sarah barrows

hi thanks to you all for this very helpful information. this has definitely given me some food for thought and will assist me in my decision making process, although I havent decided yet !! If I go for the green roof I will go for the simple, thin layer option and if I go for zinc then I will definitely go for a proprietary system. again, thanks so much for the replies - much appreciated.

Hi, I am about to have an extension onto the side of my house with a flat roof – it’s about 30 square meters. The current plan is for a zinc roof, however we are thinking about the possibility of a grass/living roof. I was wondering what the pros and cons are for doing this? Is it relatively simple to do? Is it that difficult to maintain or is it just some decent effort that is needed? Does it cost a lot more than a zinc roof? And is this something a traditional roofer will do or is this a specialist trade? Of course I have googled all of these but I’m sure this site will have the real answers !!!

thanks - good information there.

I got that from the supplier but I'll double check - thanks.

great, will do. Thanks so much.

Thanks again for the reply - yes its 145 Kg. No roof access is required.

Hi, I was wondering if there is a 'calculator' that will give the correct number of joists/firrings/fillets/wall plates that I need to order? Is this an easy calculation or do I need to get someone structural to do it ? I am doing a small flat roof extension with a roof lantern - on a tight budget but I'm getting there !!

Thanks very much for your advice. Understood - I'll go for the 18mm ! I'm using GRP roof.

thanks very much. some good information here.

hi, I'm about to start the flat roof for my small extension and I need a little help on how to do the fascias before the roofer arrives. do I fit plywood to the ends of the joists (vertically & horizontally) and then cover them with PVC fascia and soffit boards? i'm sure my chippy and roofer will know this but I want to know before I speak to them (and look knowledgeable !!)

yes this seems to be the best way - we'll end up with a cleaner finish. thanks very much for your help - much appreciated.

Hi there, I have a detail that I need to resolve on my small flat roof extension project. Hoping someone can help me to get it right !! I have a blockwall that will intersect a pitched roof overhang - you can see this on the attached picture. I'm not sure what the correct method of work is, and who will do each part. The bricky is booked in to finish on Sunday and the roof chippy is starting on Monday. Should I remove the gutter and build blockwork around the fascia, leaving a small amount of blockwork until the roof tiles are removed and finish the infill after the roof is finished? Or should the roof be opened up first then the block work installed then the roof finished around the blockwork.

many thanks for your help. I'll use the plumber for all of it, 1st and 2nd fix.

hi everyone I'm doing a small extension and have received some great advice here which has been invaluable in managing my small extension !! I have some questions on the plumbing...hope someone can help. The first phase is the new extension - the first fix plumber will do the water supply, but who would fit a drain to the external drain gulley - is it the first or second fix plumbing? Second phase is to strip out a small existing kitchen and change it to a bathroom (drawing attached). After strip out I need to fit and connect drainage for the shower/wc/wash basin/washing machine - question is: who would do this? Will the first fix plumber chase the walls/floor out and fit drainage to the existing drain. Or would I have to get a labourer to do the chasing and then get the first fix plumber to put the drains in? Or would I chase it through the walls, go through the external wall and fit surface pipes on the external wall to the gulley? Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Many thanks.

thanks again Mike, that's a great help.

Thanks Redoctober for the planner. I'm using this.

hi Mike thanks very much - very very helpful. hope you don't mind just a couple more questions... it's brick and block construction only 2.5m height - so I assume bricklayer will go from groundworks engineering course and do brick/block/insulation. a) what do I need to do for air tightness and b) re apertures, do the windows need any timber framing or just leave openings? or does the brickwork finish into the aperture? 2. who will need scaffolding and at what stages do I use it? scaffolders have quoted a 'single lift' what does that mean? 3. would a decent bricky, chippy and roofer do their work by discussions on site and therefore not need drawings? I can do hand drawn elevations to show doors, windows and general dimensions but I'm not confident to do a section through !! With this info I'm really confident to manage everyone and I'm really looking forward to starting !!

Hi, I'm doing a small flat roof extension (18 sqm) to give me a new kitchen area and I need a bit of advice on a couple of things. Its a smaller house with a dormer extension for the first floor. I have good recommended subcontractors for each discipline, but I'm trying to clarify exactly what bits each of them do and when they should do it. The new extension will intersect with the pitched roof, so I'd love to have a list of work in chronological order so that I can manage it properly. I could also do with a section through (just a hand drawn would be ok) so that the guys know what to do. I'm also a bit confused at which timber bits the normal chippy will do and which timber bits the roofer will do. brickwork cut through existing pitched roof to receive new flat roof. do the structural timber work. roof timber. roofing. brickwork infills. roofing finishing (flashing to brickwork infills). And how do I do this so that any rain doesn't get into the existing area during the cutting through work?? This would probably an hour or 2's work for someone with experience. Is there any way that I can pay someone to do this (free would be better but I don't mind paying!!)? Please let me know if this bit is not appropriate for this forum. Hope you can help!!