Architecture/Tall ceilings

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Expert: - 11/4/2006


Question
Dear Mr Taylor,
  Thank you for your time. My turn of the century Colonial
Revival is pretty simple except when it comes to restoring.
I'm building an in-law addition and I want to make the interiors appear similar. The addition is a 600 sq.ft. with
gabled 10:12 roof. My question is with only using 2x6x8ft. studs is it possible to build up ceiling height to 105 or 106 inches? I've got plenty of wood but only a few 16 footers. The structure is one floor, ceiling and roof. The
snow load for New Hamphsire in my region is 50lbs/sq.ft.
Thank you for your time. Domingo  

Answer
Domingo - thanks for your question!

Sure it's possible - and there are several ways to go about it.  The easiest might be to put up the 8 footers, then raise the ceiling joists to the height you want by attaching them to the rafters.  That would create a semi-vaulted ceiling look in the room and would require rafters deep enough for insulation (check local structural and insulation codes).

Another way is to build a pony wall on top of the 8-foot walls, up to the height you want.  You'll have to fully sheath the outside of the wall to cover the joint between the two "stacked" walls and may have to reinforce it in other ways depending upon the advice of your engineer.

Additional methods may be possible - check with a structural engineer in your area.

Hope this helps!

Richard Taylor, AIA
Richard Taylor Architects, LLC
www.rtastudio.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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