Raising Ceilings

[NameAlreadyInUse]

I looked at a house today that has a nice big living room with a cathedral ceiling, but then you go into the dining room and kitchen and the ceilings are only 7 feet tall. If there is a 2nd floor above those rooms, would it even be possible to raise the ceilings by at least a foot? If so, how expensive would such a job be?

 

[NCAAFBALLROX]

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[Mr Bean]

 

[NCAAFBALLROX]

Do you think she just don't care?

Sorry, that's "raising the roof", not raising the cieling ([Lionel Ritchie]oh, what a feeling...[/Lionel Ritchie]).

 

[AstroVol]

I'd say there are some structural issues, Rox.

The ceiling Sheetrock is probably nailed directly to the bottom of the 2nd floor trusses/joists, so to raise the ceiling, you'd theoretically have to raise the whole floor.

Unfortunately for NAIU's situation, there is a natural spot for a break in the wall studs right at the second floor, and these studs are braced by the second floor plywood/OSB. If the space above is "attic" space, then that is perhaps worse, as now you are talking about raising the roof.

I suppose it's possible that the ceiling is furred down in the area you're talking about. That is, maybe the ceiling Sheetrock is not directly attached to the trusses/joists. You should probably confirm whether or not this is the case. If it is just furred down, I would say the likelihood of pulling this off is much greater.

It's also possible that tearing the slab out and recessing it in that area might be the best option.

 

[NCAAFBALLROX]

Astro, you 'n I are on the same wavelength here but I suspect that if it's old skool enough to have a 7' interior height, then it's probably a pier 'n beam & NOT slabbed out.

Even if it was a conc. slab, that's a LOT of money to spend. That house had better be in the best freakin' neighborhood & 1/2 off the already low, low factory direct wholesale to you price to warrant that kinda headache & expense.

Plus, if you get an old house & start doing some really hefty structural changes to it, you'll not only need the services of an architect & / or a structural engineer, but you'd need to get the city to sign off on it & once they start poking around, you may need to modify a lot of old components & meet new guidelines for energy efficiency.

Not to say that energy efficiency is a bad thing (I'm as hippie green as they come with regards to things like this) but you need to decide well in advance if this is a row you (NAIU, actually) want to try & hoe...

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[NameAlreadyInUse]

Thanks for the advice. This is in reference to some investment properties. All of the ones I looked at yesterday were in need of some serious work. This particular house needed the least amount of work if the 7' ceilings could be solved.

To answer the question, the master bedroom is directly above the area where raising the ceilings would be necessary. My suspicion is that it would be a helluvan expense and it would be messy and it might not even be possible, so thanks for the feedback.

Looks like one of the other 2 properties that each needed more work but didn't have a problem this unfixable would be the better options.

 

[AstroVol]

Rox, I will certainly bow to your extensive knowledge of historical trends (

), but it seems that a pier and beam foundation is probably best case scenario, since it wouldn't take much, if any excavation, and the soils are softer if you do. It would be interesting if you could determine this, NAIU, and maybe even shoot some pics.

*Rox, you have a PM unrelated to this thread.

 

[mishatx]

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[NameAlreadyInUse]

Sorry, I meant to include that this house is definitely on a slab. Was built in the late 70's.

 

[stupidgringo]

There are homes in my neighborhood, built in the '70s and '80s with the 7' ceilings in the kitchen/dining area. In those homes, it is just a "fur-down" hiding wiring and vent pipes. I guess it was fashionable to have low ceilings in the kitchen back then.

One of my neighbors has removed the false ceiling. It involved re-routing wiring and one vent pipe. It was very messy, only practical as part of a total remodel.

 

[chuychanga]

Gringo, do you live in Western Oaks? You just described my house and one of my neighbors who recently did the same thing.

 

[VYFan]

Since we're off the main point... I lifted a ceiling in a kitchen of an investment property a couple of months ago (no 2nd story). Did have to redo some wiring and a couple of things, but probably cost $1300, and it made that whole area of the house MUCH better, better than I even expected.

 

[stupidgringo]

No, Chuy, I'm in Shady Hollow.