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3 foot high suspended flooring to lower or not

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  • 21-06-2021 10:57pm
    #1
    Malish
    Registered Users Posts: 6 ✭


    Hubby and I plan to build 37 sq meter extension out the back of the house and to future proof our home ( new kitchen and floors needed) - our house was built in 1980 and has suspended flooring - lifting it 3 feet off the ground. Looking to insulate the floor and to get underfloor heating put in the architect visit today he suggested lowering the floor height to make it wheelchair accessible. Love the idea but unsure of what it entails and how much it would add to the project - architect said we would need to add two steps to the stairs!
    Is it worth it? Would really appreciate any guidance new to all this


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    #2
    0lddog
    Registered Users Posts: 3,292 ✭✭✭0lddog


    Malish wrote: »
    ... built in 1980 and has suspended flooring - lifting it 3 feet off the ground....


    Just like to remark in passing that with a floor void like that you may have fantastic scope to install a managed ventilation system, should you so wish.


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    #3
    BoardsMember
    Registered Users Posts: 4,440 ✭✭✭BoardsMember


    Malish wrote: »
    Hubby and I plan to build 37 sq meter extension out the back of the house and to future proof our home ( new kitchen and floors needed) - our house was built in 1980 and has suspended flooring - lifting it 3 feet off the ground. Looking to insulate the floor and to get underfloor heating put in the architect visit today he suggested lowering the floor height to make it wheelchair accessible. Love the idea but unsure of what it entails and how much it would add to the project - architect said we would need to add two steps to the stairs!
    Is it worth it? Would really appreciate any guidance new to all this

    Wouldn't it add lots of expense. New front door, new internal doors, skirts and wall making good. How about fire hearths?


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    #4
    Wildly Boaring
    Registered Users Posts: 3,630 ✭✭✭Wildly Boaring


    Looking at dropping the whole lot about 300mm?

    Aesthetically
    Every wall might need to be replastered I assume.
    Or at least the bottom 300 but probably best skim the lot.
    Stairs need to be sorted.
    New doors throughout
    New skirting and arcateave throughout.

    Structurally
    Is the ground outside still going to be below the new floor level?
    Is the house block built?
    Is the same block continued into the deadwork under the floor?
    Basically
    Damp could be an issue.
    1. The damp proof membrane (assuming there is one) may now be significantly above the floor
    2. The blocks under the floor may not have a cavity. Would need to be detailed for damp and cold joint.


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    #5
    athlone573
    Registered Users Posts: 726 ✭✭✭athlone573


    You won't get the full 3 foot back as some of it will be taken up by hardcore and insulation, but it'll be nice to have slightly higher ceilings (within reason, unless your rooms are small then they can feel like a phonebox, if you remember what they are)

    Hopefully your architect is halfway technical and will advise about DPC/threshold details.


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