Want to increase the ceiling height in an old 2 storey Semi-D

Johnny Volume

Hi there,

This is probably a daft question but here goes anyway

Is there any way of increasing the ground floor ceiling height in an existing 2 storey Semi-Detatched house? The current clearance is 2.43M. Ideally 9ft (2.74M) would be great.

Thanks,
John

rickmoister

It is only possible if the first floor is of timber construction. It may also mean taking down the partitions down upstairs there could be an awful lot of work involved:mad::mad:. The higher the ceiling the longer it takes to heat the room and remember heat rises:mad::mad:!!!.

Poor Uncle Tom

It could actually be less costly to lower the ground floor level, but there are a few deciding factors in your existing build.

Johnny Volume

first floor is of timber construction

Johnny Volume

Poor Uncle Tom wrote: »

It could actually be less costly to lower the ground floor level, but there are a few deciding factors in your existing build.

The ground floor is a suspended timber floor which I was considering replacing with an insulated concrete slab.

What sort of deciding factors?

Thanks

Poor Uncle Tom

Johnny Volume wrote: »

The ground floor is a suspended timber floor which I was considering replacing with an insulated concrete slab.

What sort of deciding factors?

Thanks

The height from the top of the foundations to the existing ground floor level is probably the leading one.

When was the house built?

Johnny Volume

Poor Uncle Tom wrote: »

The height from the top of the foundations to the existing ground floor level is probably the leading one.

When was the house built?

Late 1950s.

Poor Uncle Tom

Also watch out for,
a) springs in the ground around or a high water table in the area,
b) external pressure on the sub-structure, which should be ok given that the existing floor is suspended, but it still needs to be checked,
c) the proposed radon barrier/DPM should be sealed to the existing DPC's,
d) internal doors will need to be lowered, you could put fanlights over instead of dropping the heads,
e) the level of light switches, wall sockets and radiators may need to be dropped,
f) underfloor air vents will need to be saeled up,
g) ambulant/wheelchair access will need to be taken account of,
h) adequate insulation including perimeter insulation will need to be taken account of,
i) the level of toilets, whb's, kitchen sink, etc., will need to be considered in relation to external GT & MH levels,
j) etc, etc.,

Johnny Volume

Poor Uncle Tom wrote: »

Also watch out for,
a) springs in the ground around or a high water table in the area,
b) external pressure on the sub-structure, which should be ok given that the existing floor is suspended, but it still needs to be checked,
c) the proposed radon barrier/DPM should be sealed to the existing DPC's,
d) internal doors will need to be lowered, you could put fanlights over instead of dropping the heads,
e) the level of light switches, wall sockets and radiators may need to be dropped,
f) underfloor air vents will need to be saeled up,
g) ambulant/wheelchair access will need to be taken account of,
h) adequate insulation including perimeter insulation will need to be taken account of,
i) the level of toilets, whb's, kitchen sink, etc., will need to be considered in relation to external GT & MH levels,
j) etc, etc.,

Many thanks for that detailed response. We've just bought the house and are planning a fairly thorough refurb, including a new heating system, wall and floor insulation etc. Given that we are going to be ripping the house up I was just wondering if increasing the floor/ceiling clearance was an option. Sounds like it could be more trouble/cost than it's worth though.

Poor Uncle Tom

Johnny Volume wrote: »

Many thanks for that detailed response. We've just bought the house and are planning a fairly thorough refurb, including a new heating system, wall and floor insulation etc. Given that we are going to be ripping the house up I was just wondering if increasing the floor/ceiling clearance was an option. Sounds like it could be more trouble/cost than it's worth though.

Worth checking out all the same.

Johnny Volume

Poor Uncle Tom wrote: »

Worth checking out all the same.

Yes, I will certainly investigate the issue further with an architect / builder.

On a side note, in terms of ground floor insulation - is it better to replace a suspended timber floor with an insulated concrete slab or would putting insulation between the existing joists be a more cost effective option?

Thanks again

endacl

:eek: Looks like it might be simpler and cheaper to just lose the platform heels OP!

Johnny Volume

endacl wrote: »

:eek: Looks like it might be simpler and cheaper to just lose the platform heels OP!

Unfortunately at 6ft6 unscrewing my legs isn't an option

endacl

Johnny Volume wrote: »

Unfortunately at 6ft6 unscrewing my legs isn't an option

Only two inches behind. I hear ya. Why was the world designed for Hobbits?

Poor Uncle Tom

Johnny Volume wrote: »

On a side note, in terms of ground floor insulation - is it better to replace a suspended timber floor with an insulated concrete slab or would putting insulation between the existing joists be a more cost effective option?

No two jobs are the same, but generally from an insulation, air-tightness and thermal bridging point of view it is better to have the insulated concrete floor slab as the vented sub-floor space acts similar to a cold roof attic space.

Johnny Volume

Poor Uncle Tom wrote: »

No two jobs are the same, but generally from an insulation, air-tightness and thermal bridging point of view it is better to have the insulated concrete floor slab as the vented sub-floor space acts similar to a cold roof attic space.

I can appreciate that. In terms of a ball park figure, what would be the cost (per square meter) for replacing the suspended timber floor with an insulated concrete slab? The ground floor is approx 45sqm

classic tiler

Johnny Volume wrote: »

Hi there,

This is probably a daft question but here goes anyway

Is there any way of increasing the ground floor ceiling height in an existing 2 storey Semi-Detatched house? The current clearance is 2.43M. Ideally 9ft (2.74M) would be great.

Thanks,
John

Why do you want to increase the height ? I'd imagine that if you lower the ground floor you've got to deal with damp proof course levels and if you raise the first floor joists you'll Decrease the room above. Unless there's a substantial reason..I'd leave it alone.

Poor Uncle Tom

Johnny Volume wrote: »

I can appreciate that. In terms of a ball park figure, what would be the cost (per square meter) for replacing the suspended timber floor with an insulated concrete slab? The ground floor is approx 45sqm

Removal and disposal of the existing as well as access for concrete, etc., will all play a part in the price, so any price per square metre from any website will just be a guess as we know nothing about the actual house.