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Architecture/Raising ceiling

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Expert: - 4/4/2011


Question
Hi Richard,
I'm living in Texas and interested in buying a 1900 sq ft single story traditional home built in 1971. The problem is, I'm 5'6 1/2 and on my tip toes I can touch the ceilling and my brother who is 6'7 hit his head on the ceiling fan. Is it costly to raise the ceiling and should I keep looking at other homes?

Answer
Hi Donna - thanks for your question!

Yes, it's very expensive and complicated to raise a ceiling in a house.  Everything is disrupted - trim, paint, drywall, structure, insulation, siding, electrical, the list goes on and on!  If you're planning on significant remodeling anyway, then maybe it's worth considering.  But all by itself it's a very, very big and messy project.

It would be much easier to find a home with taller ceilings!

BTW, ceiling fans can be raised - you can get a kit the fits it more snug to the ceiling. :)

Hope this helps,

Richard Taylor, AIA
www.rtastudio.com
www.rtastudio.blogspot.com

Architecture

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Richard Taylor, AIA

Expertise

Ask me about all aspects of house, remodeling. , and room addition design and construction. Ask me about historic homes, renovation, and restoration. Ask me about materials and techniques, and about how you can get the best value for your design and construction dollar. Ask me how you can make your home a very special place. I can't, however, answer specific structural engineering questions in this forum - that's something you'll need on-site observation for.

Experience

I own a full-service residential architectural firm, and have been designing custom homes, remodelings, and room additions across the country since 1983. Check us out at Richard Taylor Architects and RTA Plans. I have written and been published extensively on the subject of residential architecture.

Organizations
American Institute of Architects, City of Dublin Architectural Review Board, Vice Chair of City of Dublin Planning and Zoning Commission, American Planning Association, Board Member Historic Dublin Business Association, Past Editor of SPLASH (a software forum), Past Editor of Open Directory Project, Assistant Scoutmaster, Boy Scouts of America

Publications
Business First of Columbus, Suburban New Publications, About.com, Cleveland Plain Dealer, Columbus Dispatch Residential Architect Custom Home Architect Remodeling Architect

Education/Credentials
Bachelor of Environmental Design (Architecture) Miami University 1983
For more about home design, check out my blog at Sense Of Place and join the conversation on our Facebook Page.

Awards and Honors
2010 Dublin Chamber of Commerce Business Person of the Year

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