i would like to covert my 1 1/2 storey home to one with a full second storey.the half storey is finished living space. if i went to a full second floor and maintained the same floor plan as the main floor( thats just the outside walls).and say that i maintain the same roof configuration which i would like and not change the exterior wall demensions remain the same also, would i need a great deal of structural modifications to the primary floor?
the house has a very sound foundation and is built solidly.would it be easy enough to say the floor joist may need some beefing up but the outside walls which carry my roofload now would that be a problem area to watchout for? if you know of any recent situations which are similar id love to hear about them. good or bad.and if you know of any framing details which may assist me i would be grateful. thank you henry bielski
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I'm no framer or engineer, but...
You will need to know what your walls are made of
ie studs 2X4? 2X6?
are they placed 16" on center? 24" on center?
Are you wanting to install a jacuzzi on the 2nd floor? What about expected snow load on the roof?
All these puzzle pieces should be run by an engineer or knowlegable builder to be sure the dead and live loads are acceptable for the existing frame.
Henry - This is the kind of thing professional remodelers deal with all the time. Find a local remodeler you are comfortable talking with and have them take a look. We could ask you for specifics and you try your best to answer them here online for hours, but a pro could take a look and give much more accurate answers in a fraction of the time. The most accurate answer to your question anyone here can give you is "it depends...". Soils stability, seismic zone, foundation thickness, framing configuration, distribution of roof, floor and wall loads...other things I'm not thinking of right off the top of my head..all play major factors in answering your questions.
Edited 5/7/2002 4:38:05 PM ET by jim blodgett