Change a roof overhang to a ledge or catwalk.
 

Wondering if someone has changed their 1st floor roof overhang to a ledge or catwalk to help with maintenance on the 2nd floor exterior. The existing is a wooden 3 feet wide overhang with 5/12 slope with roofing material. I would like to make it a 4 feet wide and as light as possible with no support columns.

Any suggestions on materials and design in utilizing the existing?

4' overhang. not gonna happen without a engineers design

That's what they make ladders and walk boards for.
What your suggesting would require the wall and inside floors to all come apart.
http://www.bing.com/images/search?q=...electedIndex=6

Plus that would greatly increase the chance of damage to the outside walls.

Thanks for taking the time to respond.
 

I'll get a structural engineer and reduce to 3 feet if 4 feet requires post and footings.

It looks like it may need an engineer, trick photography, and good old American ingenuity. Wouldn't something like that need rails too?

Railing
 

Yes, looking at Alum. posts with cables. Also for the modification, Light weight structural steel. May also tie in with above roof overhang with cables.