What would be the most economical floor to floor height for a multi-story wood building? I’m assuming it would be 10′-3″ If the floor system was the following:
3/4″ Plywood floor, 1 1/2″ (2×4 Sole Plate), 8′-0″ (2×4 Wall Stud), (2) 1 1/2″ (Top plate), 20″ Deep Wood truss, 3/4″ Plywood floor. But that being said, my interior finished ceiling height would be 8′-4″ (assuming a 1/2″ gyp bd ceiling). Would it be more cost effective to cut the studs down so that my interior finish ceiling is 8′-0″ so that I can run my drywall without having to add to it? So should I let the studs be and make the drywaller add 4″ strip of drywall?
-OBW
Replies
This question really is one personal preference and the type of ww'ing you do. I have managed for the past 7 years with a dedicated shops with 8' foot ceilings but if I were doing it again I would go to 9' simply to raise the DC pipes up some. I use very low profile light fixtures ( much higher initial cost) so the 8' has never been an issue except that I can't store sheet stock on end. But, most of my work does not require a lot of sheet stock. The other consideration is heating and cooling costs. Each foot over 8' increases heating and cooling by 12.5%. The other factor is your DC system. If you envision a cyclone system that stands 8.5', that sort of defines the ceiling height. Having acted as the GC for both of my shops, the difference in the cost of materials from 8' to 9' or 10' for the first floor is relatively minor compared to the basic considerations of how you will use the shop.
I'd take this question over to Breaktime, unless you really are speaking specifically about a workshop. Lots of variables, too many for any easy answer.
Modern construction is based on using two foot increments, going outside of this basic measure is almost always wasteful of time and materials.
If you are going to step up from an 8 foot ceiling, go to 10 feet which will make a shop, if that is what you are building, seem far roomier and make moving materials around much easier at only slightly greater expense than going to 8'-4".
Normally an eight foot wall stud would be cut a few inches shorter to create a finished wall that can use two 4' sheets of sheetrock on the inside. The inside walls should actually be slightly more than 8' feet tall to include the thickness of the ceiling sheetrock, which is installed first, and a bit of wiggle room for installing the wall sheets. Any small gap at the bottom edge of the rock where it meets the floor is then covered by the base board molding. Most lumber yards sell precut studs that are a few inches under 8' long to save the time and material waste of cutting down a full 8' long stud.
If you don't have much experience with basic building design, and your question would seem to indicate that you don't, I'd suggest reading a book on the basics of frame construction before going any further. Getting some design knowledge will save you from some moderately costly mistakes and you won't have to "reinvent the wheel", since all of the basics have been worked out thoroughly over the past century.
John W.
Thanks for the info..............I just learned that there are "Precut" Studs @ 92 5/8" that would solve my problem. Also I just order a book on framing. Thanks again.
OneLittlewoodie
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