not sure how to describe what I'm thinking but here goes:

- house circa 7 years old (i.e. newish with plasterboard etc)
- upsatirs hallway quite dark as it has no windows but is quite large with doors off it
- loft above is boarded and is pretty large (has a velux at the opposite end of the house up there)

I'm wondering how feasible/ easy/ expensive it would be to remove the ceiling and basically plaster board into the roof trusses with velux windows - double benefit of making the space much larger and letting natural light in (well, what light there is in Scotland!).

main problem I foresee is strengthening the roof trusses affected.

would this work? who should I involve? am I barking? :)

Gordo

you will need to get plans drawn up and submit to building regs for approval

As far as I know, you don't need to submit plans for fitting Velux windows. you only need to submit plans if you are extending your property in any way.

With this being a new house, the trusses will be in the shape of a triangle (basically) with supports going diagonally, these CANNOT be removed as they give your roof the support and strength it needs to stay up there.

Would it be more feasible or possible to put a window in the walls

Why don't you put a "Sun Pipe" in, which is basically a little plexiglass dome on the roof which has a duct running down from it into the room in question (has a mirrored finish internally) and floods the room with day light.

the roof trusses are double triangles (sort of), I'd guess it would be a couple of the (inner) triangles would need removing.

I don't think veluxes need approval (as long as they don't protrude more than 10/15mm or something) but I suspect any alteration of the roof might need signing off?

will look into the roof portal things (though quite liked the idea of opening up the roof into an apex)

cheers
G

Veluxes, to the best of my knowledge, do not need approval. If you plan on adding a dormer, or changing the roof line, then you definitely do.

you dont need planing permission you need building regs if your planing on pulling ceilings out so you can access the roof so you can add a bit of extra space if you do not have building regs for this if you ever try to sell your house this will make it impossible to sell if you do not apply for building regs and you would have to put the house back to the way it was for to sell

Im a civil engineer and do a bit of structures in my spare time. Sketch out what your doing scan it and send it to me in pdf format or fax it to my home on 01858 410531 or mtech1@ukf.net. I can give you some basic ideas at no cost M8!!!Your main concern is to make sure you trim out all the joists and trusses.