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I've a stone cottage and the bedroom is dark...
I've 2 options one is to fit 2x windows either side of the chimney flue walls are 2ft thick and with the chimney I reckon 2 thin tall windows would work and look lovely.
Other option is to drop the ceiling and velux the roof as has been done in the kitchen.
And then insulate and board. Now dropping the ceiling and doing the joinery isn't an issue as it's stone and the house has extensions front and rear on the load sides and it's a non trussed roof I'm not concerned about splay or the roof saging.
Any one done it? Anything I need to think about before doing it. I'd get a builder in to sort the roof and velux. Is it as simple as my head thinks it is?
I've no idea about 2' thick walls but when the loft conversion company fitted windows to our two gable ends: acros in first, fit the lintel & then disc cut the hole which made an almighty mess!!! Not sure how you go about doing that in a 2' thick wall but it must be similar. We have Velux too in the same rooms, they're really nice and bright, why not do both? I really like having the Velux open at night when the weather allows.
how you go about doing that in a 2′ thick wall lo
Stihl Rockboss.
A tool that would fear ya. I had one for a job and it makes your domestic chainsaw look like child's play. Hold their value well- sold for pretty much what I paid where as the hire co pretty much wanted me to buy the chain as a consumable for the hire (not cheap)
Given the costs of heating I'm not sure I'd want to increase the volume of the room especially vertically. And windows in the gable end might give a better view than just passing clouds.
Are you sure the ceiling isn't contributing to the roof structure?
I vaulted a ceiling a few years ago..... Really like it.
It didn't need velux, as we were putting in bi-folds on two walls, but its added shape to the room.
Got a kitchen extension with vaulted ceiling and glazed gable end and velux. West facing with no windows on the side so it really brings in the light. Solar gain is a problem in the summer, and trying to get blinds to fit is a nightmare.
Build from scratch, so no wall cutting to do, the chimney in your scenario is just a gluelam upright holding a chunky ridge beam so only 300mm wide.
Or go part way with solar tube (google sun tube) or even go for skylight but bring light in via a shaft, so not having to open up all roof, saves heat and still gives light. As mentioned we don't know specific details of your situation, but an idea to through in the mix.
Anyone vaulted a ceiling?
no. But I’ve jumped to a conclusion and hopped on a bus.
Lowped o'er a yat, if that helps?
Serious answer, making the holes for windows in thick gable end stone walls would be spendy, messy and not without risk of causing movement. Would look good though. Planning might be an issue depending on what it overlooks
You'll never get enough insulation in to avoid it getting stinking hot in the summer. Loft spaces are great to at least help to keep the upstairs bearable.
We've a vaulted ceiling in our bedroom, done with that space blanket. It's roasting in the summer!
We're busy sorting out single storey extension, which will have the ceiling vaulted as well. It's an old cottage, structural engineer wants a steel along the apex, and reinforcement with larger rafters at closer centres
We put a door in a gable end, same principle as @qwerty.
I've just measured and that was more like 1'3/4". Didn't get any movement, but I imagine that's the luck of the draw as much as anything. We did go slightly above the structural engineer's calcs on the lintel, because that was what the builder's merchants had on the day.