ᐅ Is it even possible to convert the attic into a living space?

Good day,
we are planning to buy a house and have already viewed several properties.
Now we have fallen in love with one and are ready to make an offer soon.

We have taken a close look at the attic and are wondering whether these vertical, slanted boards are load-bearing or if they can be removed without causing structural issues.

As a layperson, it seems to me that these battens were only installed to stabilize the roof structure during construction.

If it comes to it and we start converting the attic (if possible?!), I would discuss this again with a roofer or structural engineer to get their approval.

It would be great to get some opinions here in advance.

Have a nice weekend and best regards

Thomas

Hello Thomas,

Thomas-M schrieb:

We have now taken a close look at the attic and are wondering whether these vertical, slanted boards are load-bearing or if they can be removed without causing structural issues.

As a layperson, it looks to me like this battens were only installed to stabilize the roof structure during construction.

You shouldn’t remove any of that; it is a truss roof structure, so everything must remain as is.

Regards, Bauexperte

Hello and thank you for the quick reply.
So there is no way to change this without putting on a new roof?

Best regards,
Thomas

That's right, there's nothing you can do about it. You can think of it like an old timber-framed bridge: instead of one thick rafter, many thinner tension and compression members are used. They only work together as a system.

Kind regards,
Ronny

Thank you very much, that would theoretically mean that I have no load-bearing walls on the ground floor except for the exterior walls?!

Best regards
Thomas