Lowering half a roofline to add cleretory windows

Forums › Home Workshop DIY › Lowering half a roofline to add cleretory windows

andy99

4 posts

Wannabe Geek

#255781 29-Aug-2019 13:53

Hi all

I came across this forum while trying to find some information on what would be involved in lowering half of a roofline - I wondered if anyone has any idea on feasibility and cost for this idea.

We built a house 4 years ago with one overall sloping roofline. The open plan living/dining/kitchen area is east/west with the main windows being on the east side (lounge) which are great at catching the morning sun. We then lose the sun in the middle of the day, to capture it again later in the day via windows on the west side (kitchen/dining). We built with this orientation as we live at the beach and this provides shelter from the westerly wind which is the predominant wind and rather nasty, it also ensures privacy from the road side (west side of house). I love the house, all apart from losing that sun midday which then cools the house especially in winter. We did put two skylights in the kitchen area about 2 years ago and this does make a difference, but I would love to capture the northerly sun to have it pouring in the lounge throughout the middle of the day.

We have a raked ceiling in the entire area and its a very high stud. If we had dropped the roofline of the rest of the home this would have allowed clerestory windows to be put along the northern wall which would have been amazing. The ceiling at this end of the home is normal ceiling height so there is a large roof space.

I was thinking that surely the roofline at this end of the house could be lowered so that clerestory windows could be retrofitted?? I'm not a builder or an architect and my husband will be less than thrilled with this idea (I keep coming up with great ideas) so any advice, comments, etc would be really appreciated.

eracode

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#2307886 29-Aug-2019 15:12

Welcome to GZ.

Your description isn’t too bad but how about putting up one (or a few) photos so we can better see what you have in mind. A picture is worth a thousand words.

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Disrespective

1926 posts

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#2307890 29-Aug-2019 15:19

Anything is possible if you have the money to do it.

I think I understand what you're describing but there are so many variables it's tough to give you a better answer. I'd need to know what the roof structure is, what areas are under the proposed windows so I can check how structure might be affected, are there any height restrictions that are in place that would mean you can't go any higher, will there be any weathertightness issues with adding a window exactly where you want it...

Your best bet is to call up an architect whose work you like (if you want to go that way), or builders, or draughtspeople, whatever, and ask if they will be prepared to visit your house and discuss it with you in person. Many will ask for a fee to be paid to provide a sketch plan (anywhere from a few hundred dollars up to several thousand) but this will start to define what can and can't be done around the restrictions that are in place.

Disclaimer: I am an architect

andy99

4 posts

Wannabe Geek

#2307896 29-Aug-2019 15:46

andy99

4 posts

Wannabe Geek

#2307898 29-Aug-2019 15:47

the outside picture shows the roofline and east side of house

the framing picture shows the area I would like the clerestory window (right side of current window showing)

the other picture shows after gibbing/painting - the clerestory window would be in white area

eracode

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#2307936 29-Aug-2019 16:51

Rather than major surgery to part of the roofline, how about one or more Velux windows in the area where you want the light:

https://www.velux.co.nz/products/low-pitch-skylights?gclid=EAIaIQobChMI1aH1naOn5AIVVx0rCh0V2ASmEAAYASAAEgJAP_D_BwE

https://www.velux.co.nz/products/roofwindows

https://www.velux.co.nz/products/blinds-and-shutters

Cheaper, easier - and high quality products.

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mattwnz

20163 posts

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#2307962 29-Aug-2019 17:44

Yes usually people will instal sky lights. The advantage is also that they sell models that camn be opened with a remote and are solar powered. you can also get automated solar blackout blinds for them to block light. There are pros and cons though with both clerestory windows or skylights.

Rabbitcat

26 posts

Geek

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#2308056 29-Aug-2019 19:42

Lowering the roof would be a massive undertaking. Essentially you'd have to take off the entire roof, including roofing metal, roofing rafters/structure, ceiling gib, wiring/services previously in the roof, insulation etc, and have your house completely open (unless you got a super expensive encapsulation/wrapped scaffold). You'd have to redo your fascia and spouting, downpipes, potentially your verandah beams (and posts), soffits, exterior wall cladding.

Once you'd removed your entire roof, you have to start cutting down your internal walls to suit the new roof pitch, which would probably mean you'd be up for a full rewire, your wall bracing would have to be redone, which could mean you'd have to reline all your walls.

All of that happens before you start putting any new stuff back in.

Like someone said above, anything is possible. You'd probably looking at design/consent costs of at least $20k, then the encapusulating scaffolding of say $20-30k, demo/rubbish disposal of $20-40k.

I don't think any tradesman would want to reuse much of what you'd taken off.

Then putting stuff in would probably be $100k.

Skylights, move, or stoicism, seem like good options.

Sorry.

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mattwnz

20163 posts

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#2308063 29-Aug-2019 19:47

The alternative is also those solar tube things. But Skylights these days are really popular, and they can really add a lot to the internal space with the light they bring in.

eracode

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#2308105 29-Aug-2019 21:27

We had two SolaTubes installed in a brand new house after we bought it four years ago. The larger size in a small bathroom and a smaller one in a walk-in wardrobe. They are truly brilliant (pardon the pun) - and way, way exceeded our expectations of what the result would be. Even on an overcast day, there is plenty of light admitted to the rooms. Can totally recommend them as a product - but may not be quite appropriate for what I think you’re looking for here. Worth looking at though.

Sometimes I just sit and think. Other times I just sit.

elpenguino

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#2308106 29-Aug-2019 21:32

You should also seriously consider celestory windows that directly face north as a mixed blessing as they will be a source of too much heat and glare in summer.

These things are best designed correctly for site and orientation of course (not much use now I know).

Celestory windows under an overhang calculated to shade them in summer but not winter would be a different story.

Most of the posters in this thread are just like chimpanzees on MDMA, full of feelings of bonhomie, joy, and optimism. Fred99 8/4/21

bfginger

1268 posts

Uber Geek

#2308625 30-Aug-2019 20:21

A low solar heat gain low e coating like Performatech 206 would really help reduce overheating. More so with a grey tint but that would reduce light intake.

andy99

4 posts

Wannabe Geek

#2308814 31-Aug-2019 16:16

Thanks everyone for your input and feedback - seems my bright idea is not an easy or a cheap one!! You have all helped me to realise that as usual, hubby is correct LOL