Converting a conservatory to a kitchen extension

[mummysmellsofsick]

Can anyone advise?

We have a heavily underpinned house with an underpinned extension part of which is properly built with a proper (concrete tiled?) roof and the other part is an ugly aged UPVC conservatory with a plastic roof. As far as I understand from the underpinning drawings, the footings are quite adequate to make the whole thing a proper extension across the back- this needs checking, and the conservatory has dwarf walls which can stay. There is a suspended concrete slab floor through the original house kitchen, conservatory and extension, all done at the same time.

Is there any reason we can't just get new windows and doors on the conservatory bit and put a nice new tiled roof with Velux windows right across the whole of the back? What are the building regs/ planning/ structural implications if any? Does a proper roof need brick built corners to support it or can it go on an aluminium framed double or triple glazed replacement to the current conservatory windows and doors.

Thanks

Get an architect. I do not think you can put a tiled roof on an aluminium frame! A roof has trusses and is heavy. Get the foundations appraised and get a proper design done and advice on planning permission. Some small extensions don't need it.

We aren't at the get an architect stage yet just trying to figure out what might be possible/ affordable

From a building regs point of view, it sounds like your foundations will be adequate for additional loads.

You will need to be able to prove this and that the vertical frames can support the load of a tiled roof.

This guidance is really useful.

A friend recently did this, the builder had to show the foundations by digging around the outside. Building control wanted corner support and extra support along the main run of windows(she used brick columns). They had to be inspected, the lintel needed to be seen. I have the light weight roof tiles that have been very good although I also needed to do most of the above with building control as well.

Thanks Ariety and Boulshired sounds like we might get away with just some extra brick columns too on the conservatory side. It will still be 5 years till we can afford to do it but I'll be delighted if it's possible without starting from scratch which would take us more like 15 years. Will see if I can get a builder round to check foundations before I get too excited!

Did she need a brick/ steel lintel Boulshired? Do you know what the options are?