UKC

I have (finally) been given permission to build my own play-wall in my house and have chosen the attic to be the place to get the attention, mostly due to the copious amounts of space available.

Does anyone have any hintstips on how to build a home wall in their attic? I've spent a lot of time googling and have found a distinct lack of information in regards to using roof beams as part of the home wall, which I figure would be the easiest method, rather than building a frame with the same angle.

Any linkshelp would be appreciated!

In reply to Gaijin:

I'm curious to know who you needed to get permission from as you say it's your house.....?

Remember that the roof timbers are all there for a reason and are part of the structural integrity of the roof, so the golden rule is don't cut, move or alter any existing timbers without considering the implications.

If you add to the structure that is probably ok but have regard to any loadings onto poor supporting timbers, and of course don't forget that the ceilings under have no significant structural strength and need protecting with flooring quality boarding of some kind. This may compromise any insulation thickness over them by reducing the insulation to the joist depth. Also take care not to block of any roof venting, and avoid landings which could damage electrical wiring and pipework, and ensure that your wall doesn't fully obstruct access to other parts of the roof space that you may need to get to eg water tanks etc..

In reply to Gaijin:

Maybe useful
http://www.ukclimbing.com/articles/page.php?id=7

Here's what I did, it's changed a little since then but you get the idea.

http://www.ukclimbing.com/forums/t.php?t=406830&v=1#x5826896

In reply to Trangia:

Who every married man has to get permission from...the wife!

Thanks for the advice. I have read that, screwing a panels into the timbers is possible, paying close attention to make sure that it is done central on the timbers.

I have found examples like this:
http://www.improvisedlife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/attic-climbing-wal...

and in perticular this one, as it suggests he has just stuck it straight into his timbers!

http://www.redriverclimbing.com/viewtopic.php?t=11965&start=30

In reply to Murd:

Incredible job...exactly my plan.

What did you specifically ask Bob the Builder when you got him round? Was it a mate or did you find someone out of yellow pages?

In reply to Gaijin:

I'm less than Mr DIY, didn't really have a clue if the roof was suitable for hanging me and a shit load of timber from it, it was someone I sort of knew...he looked for about 10 seconds and said it would be fine.
Feel free to shout me if you need any advice.

In reply to Gaijin:
Congrats on the permission.

You are adding significant additional live loading to the structure as well as the dead loading of the timber climbing structure itself. I'm a structural engineer and specialise in timber climbing structures. If you email me the following details about your existing roof structure I can check their suitability.


-Rafter width and depth
-Rafters spacings measured from center to center
-Greatest Length of rafter from attic floor to ridge/purlin
-Angle of roof
(Or instead of the latter two the greatest horizontal distance from wall to ridge.)

-Existing roof covering. Type of tiles etc

In reply to Gaijin:
Like some of the other posts have said don't underestimate the weight of the wall. I built on a 2x4 frame. One you have added the ply, t-nuts, holds and bolts it stacks up. It took three people to lift/drag a 1.2x2.4m section of my wall. Might be worth checking with any local joiners?

In reply to oli.outdoors:

This will be a fantastic help, thanks.

I was up in the loft last night and have realised that the internals of my roof seem to be a little different than those in the examples given so far, so I was going to adjust my plan.

I am going to take some pics and measurements and will call upon your expertise, if you don't mind.

In reply to Gaijin:

I did this at my mums house. Just screwed plywood directly into to the beams, excellent training facility.

In reply to ro8x:

Do you have any pictures I could see?

In reply to Gaijin:

Hi,

No problem. Send me an email so I get your address and I will send them over.

Thanks,
Karl

In reply to Gaijin:

hey there I have also built one in my loft and can take some pictures if you like.had no problems with it, the main costs are the holds.sadly i havnt invested time or money yet as i get outside as much as pos and of course that takes preference!

In reply to Gaijin:



See my profile picture. I strengthened the timbers by making them half flitch beams.

In reply to jon_gill1:

That would be great...payday is but a week away....which means project time!