ᐅ Upper floor lintel and ring beam

Hello,

we are planning a clear structural height of 2.75m (9 feet) for the upper floor. Our builder mentioned that with this height, the windows might not be very tall (he hasn’t given exact details yet), since the window lintel and ring beam (for the town villa) still need to be taken into account. Do you know how much space is needed from the top edge of the window to the ceiling? We want to calculate ourselves whether the structural height will be sufficient.

Best regards
Sabine

A ring beam is already cast in concrete. Unless you have windows as wide as three meters (approximately 10 feet) on the upper floor, additional reinforcement (rebar cage) in the U-shaped block (25 cm (10 inches) high) above the window should usually be sufficient. To be sure, consult your architect or structural engineer, who will determine the number, placement, and diameter of the reinforcing bars.

Since a ring beam is planned, a wood joist ceiling will likely be installed, meaning the distance from the top of the window to the ceiling equals a roller shutter box of 20 / 25 / 30 cm (approximately 8 / 10 / 12 inches) high plus a 25 cm (10 inches) ring beam minus just under 5 cm (2 inches) for battens and drywall.

Hello Sabine,

Curly schrieb:

We are planning a clear structural height of 2.75 m (9 ft) on the upper floor. Our builder said that with this height, the windows won’t be very tall (he hasn’t provided more details yet) because the window lintel and ring beam (townhouse style) must still be considered. Do you know how much space we need for this, meaning from the top edge of the window to the ceiling? We wanted to calculate ourselves whether the structural height will be enough.

Normally, you need 16 to 30 cm (6 to 12 inches) — depending on the size of the roller shutter box and window — for the shutter box plus lintel (11.5 to 17.5 cm / 4.5 to 7 inches, depending on reinforcement requirements). A clear structural height of 2.75 m (9 ft) is not very high, so I understand the builder’s concern.

Regards, Bauexperte

And beyond a certain roof overhang and roof pitch, "too tall" windows make little sense.

We have a required eave height of 6.50 m (21 ft 4 in) to the top edge of the roof according to the development plan. Therefore, we are planning the ground floor with a raw construction height of 2.875 m (9 ft 5 in) and the upper floor only 2.75 m (9 ft). Otherwise, we probably wouldn’t have any option other than low windows on the upper floor, right?

Best regards
Sabine

Where exactly is the low point!? 2.75 meters (9 feet) rough construction corresponds to 2.60 meters (8 feet 6 inches) at the finished floor level.