Lowering a first floor
#1
12-18-01, 08:49 PM
Lowering a first floor
I have a building that has a first floor ceiling of 14 feet and a hardwood floor over 2x12 joists and a 16" crawl space. I'm thinking of making space for a second floor by removing the first floor, digging out a foot of the dirt of the crawl space and pouring a concrete floor. I'd like to put the hardwood floor back down by running treated 2x4"s on edge, adding a plywood subfloor and nailing the hardwood floor back down. My concern is ventalization and moisture in the space between the plywood and concrete and any other suggestions you may have.
Thank you
Thank you
#2
12-19-01, 02:50 PM
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Usually when building a false floor like you have suggested, is that they put the 2x4's 16" OC and then lay insulation packets sealed in plastic. These take care of both problems. I am sure you have though this project through quite considerably. This is going to be very expensive.
#3
12-30-01, 01:30 PM
I've heard about the cost issue before, but I think it depends where you live. If you live in an urban core where the property values are high, even with the cost, it may still be the cheapest square footage you can buy. If you could break down the cost in percentages, by task, concrete break up, removal, concrete, etc. what would it be? Not including engineering and redoing drain tiles? If there was a comprehensive list of tasks and issues, what would they be?
#4
12-31-01, 05:00 PM
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Each home would be different. It depends on your heating ducts, plumbing, electrical, existing sub structure etc. If I were to give you an about estimate, I would say about $65 per sq foot, for each floor. Some homes will be much less maybe as low as $35.00 a sq ft. But that would be your range.
#5
12-31-01, 06:40 PM
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Lowering a first floor
My concerns are about doing anything that affects the existing foundation and its stability.
#7
01-14-02, 02:37 PM
My place has windows already. I have no intention of cutting the vertical foundation surfaces. As far as structure, I would step in from the wall and dig down from there. My basement is essentially ground level and was rough poured to start to I don't imagine breaking the concrete to be to hard. Plus I could probably get a bobcat in there.
