Replies

1. 
   CloudHidden | Oct 23, 2002 03:34pm | #1

   If you're going to start building in a coupla weeks and are still deciding first floor height, does that mean you don't yet have a building permit, or don't need one; don't have building plans, or don't need them? Have you selected a style of house yet to know if extra-height windows would look good? Do you have a floorplan? Is there a second story? What pitch and style roof?

   This is kinda like a woman (or freaky guy) asking if she should wear a full-length, mid-length, or mini-skirt without you knowing what her legs look like...

1. 
   jacob6 | Oct 23, 2002 03:52pm | #2

   Yes I have a house plan, but I'm still making changes until the very end. As far as a permit this is only a matter of hours to get and have site surveyed.  I'm building a rambler with a hip roof. Any info on wall height is appreciated.

1. 
   BossHog | Oct 23, 2002 04:29pm | #3

   I don't think Cloud meant to be hard on you. But you asked a lot of questions we really can't answer.

   On the header height thing - There is no "Correct" way. Put the headers up or not, depending on what you want.

   As for the "cost per square foot" - Too many factors involved to come up with a square foot price. Whether or not it's worth it is subjective, and is up to the homeowner. If you want an opinion, I'd say stick with 8' walls, and use sloped ceilings in the common areas to make them feel bigger. If you're trying to save money, why buy taller windows?

   When you figure the cost of the 9' walls versus 8', don't forget to add in the extra drywall, insulation, siding, and heat loss/gain.Our Lady of Blessed Acceleration, don't fail me now! [Blues Brothers]

1. 
   CloudHidden | Oct 23, 2002 04:40pm | #4

   >I don't think Cloud meant to be hard on you.

   Oh gosh no. What I was thinking--as I was sitting here designing a staircase for a new house--was that the height would affect lots more than just a buncha studs.......means 2 more treads on each staircase and the room they require plus all that Boss mentions. Also, window heights interact with overhangs, etc, etc. Without knowing more plan details, wouldn't know where to start with opinions, let alone recommendations.

1. 
   jacob6 | Oct 23, 2002 05:46pm | #5

   Thanks for sheding a little light on the subject. I think I might stick with 8' walls, my goal is to build a nice house and keep the costs down.

2. 
   Piffin | Oct 24, 2002 12:15am | #6

   Like Cloud said, all these items interact like a woven tapestry. Should I add another foot onto the end of it? What colour should it be? Will it make the design look unbalanced?

   But supposing you were able to incorporate this change (Higher ceilings do look good) and get a permit in only a couple of hours, Most windows are framed to keep the header height the same as the door in economy building. Another foot doesn't change that too much. Cripple studs make up the difference in height. A ten foot ceiling gives you room to put in much larger windos or add transoms over door and window both.

   Costy-wise, the biggest difference can be in the sheetrock hanging and finishing. those guys only have arms and legs just so long. Maybe we can genetically modify the next generation of rock hangers to fit higher ceilings..

   Excellence is its own reward!

3. 
   Piffin | Oct 24, 2002 12:20am | #7

   depending on some other details like roof overhangs, stair layouts, sightlines, etc. one compromise can be to use eight foot studs. With trimming them square, adding three plates will give you about an 8'4" frame for an 8'2-3/4" finish without adding to sr cost. Baseboard covers at bottom. That extra few inches can seem to make it all larger..

   Excellence is its own reward!

4. 
   HammerHarry | Oct 24, 2002 01:33am | #8

   My first thought was the stairs.  'Course, that was only because LAST WEEK the draftsman who has been doing the plans for our house for the LAST MONTH found out that he couldn't really do the 9 foot ceilings, unless we went to an elevator....'course it was the CONTRACTOR who pointed this out to him....Math?  Geometry?  What's that again??????

   How's Meili? 

2. 
   G80104 | Oct 24, 2002 03:31am | #9

     Jameszarn,

                    Go for it! 9ft walls. Thats why they make 104" 5/8 studs and 54" drywall. YES it cost more but the finish product make a statement that  92" 5/8 Studs will never make! You can also put 7' doors in to add to the statement the tall walls make.

1. 
   HeavyDuty | Oct 24, 2002 06:09am | #10

   Here goes the budget again. I used to lived in a house which had an 8' ceiling,         91 1/2 studs plus bottom and two top plates. Then I moved into this house which for the longest time I thought the feel of the ceiling height was different. I finally measured it to be 8' 2 finished. Just the two inches make a big difference. There is nothing wrong going to 9' but as Cloud said it's a completely different ball game. You just don't make a snap decision like that and hope everything else will fall in place.

   Tom

2. 
   Bruce | Oct 24, 2002 10:05pm | #11

   But if the rest of the added costs don't kill you, the 7-ft. doors will.  Unless you're going with a real white bread door style, the upcharge to 7-ft. is nuts (at least in the cases I've priced them).

3. 
   JohnSprung | Oct 24, 2002 10:21pm | #12

   Where do you find 104 5/8" studs?  The place I'm remodeling has 9 foot ceilings, and my biggest problem is that the good 2x4's all seem to get cut to 92".  The 10 footers are garbage here in Los Angeles.

   -- J.S.

1. 
   BossHog | Oct 24, 2002 11:20pm | #13

   Around here, 104 5/8" studs are very common. But it's probably a regional thing, and based on demand. I don't think I saw a 104 5/8" stud or 54" drywall before about 5 years ago.The difference between Rush Limbaugh and The Hindenburg is that one is a flaming Nazi gasbag, and one was a dirigible. [Doonesbury]

2. 
   G80104 | Oct 25, 2002 02:50am | #14

   John ,

              Home Depot carrys the 104 5/8 studs. I was there today $ 2.75 each, 92 5/8 " $1.99 & 10 ' 2x4 were $3.40 each. The 54" drywall is spendy, 54"x 12" X1/2" is about $14.00 per sheet stocked in the building. About the only way to go because the 54" sheets dont fit to well in the back of a pick-up!

1. 
   JohnSprung | Oct 25, 2002 03:23am | #15

   Where are you located?  Prices here for the things they carry are the same as yours, but they don't have the stuff for 9' ceilings.

   -- J.S.

1. 
   G80104 | Oct 26, 2002 02:51am | #17

   John,

                Outside of Denver, Colorado. Home Depot is not the store of choice, but it works when we need a fast get away! Check their special service counter and  maybe they could get them for you. Did I tell you The Ski areas our Open? http://WWW.SkiLoveland.com.

2. 
   Piffin | Oct 26, 2002 04:51am | #18

   Does that mean the drought is on hold?.

   Excellence is its own reward!

3. 
   G80104 | Oct 26, 2002 05:20am | #19

   Piffin,

         Drought is here big time, If the snow is light this winter, were going to be hurting next summer. this past summer was bad! The past few winters were weak hope this is the year, Stay tuned ,we try to get at least 50 day a year on the hills . Will let everybody know when its a Powder Day!

3. 
   JeffUpNorth | Oct 25, 2002 04:48pm | #16

   the 104 5/8" studs shouldn't be to hard to find. We just finished a house with them on the main floor. I framed the window headers

   the same height as the door headers, used 2x10 for the headers and crpples above. The 9' walls came to be more work because of the upper cripples and also the extra 1' sheathing strip not to mention the weight of them when standing them up, but we like the way it makes an average size living room or kitchen seem much larger.