ᐅ Building a Concrete Ceiling Yourself

Hello everyone,

I have just started my latest project and rebuilt my entrance.

The entrance measures 4.50 x 2.60 meters (15 ft x 8.5 ft), and I have installed 24 bricks with a ring beam. The ceiling will later serve as a balcony, and I might add a partition wall on top. Now to my concerns.

I want to install 4 steel beams, each 160 mm (6.3 inches) wide and approximately 4.40 meters (14.4 ft) long, with hollow core slabs placed between them. Afterwards, I plan to fill it with concrete and some reinforcing steel. An IDP beam is cheaper and lighter but only supports about half the load. Does such a concrete ceiling hold together well, or could it bend under its own weight?

Has anyone built something like this? When I look at former East German garages, their ceilings are even thinner and still hold up.

Thanks for the information!

I would consult a structural engineer for that.

Are you allowed to do it without a building permit / planning permission?

I don’t need a building permit / planning permission. The entrance has always been there, and I simply added the ring beam on top. The old roof was just wooden. So I removed the roof, raised one side a bit due to the old slope, placed U-blocks on it, and now the new roof will be made of concrete. Yes, I could hire a structural engineer for $500, but I find that a bit expensive for a balcony/roof of 12m² (130ft²). I was hoping someone who has built a small balcony like this could just tell me which beams they used.

Thanks for the information

Lord Monster schrieb:
I find that a bit expensive for a balcony/roof of 12m2 (130 sq ft).

That's what he said until the roof fell on his head.

Lord Monster schrieb:
Hello everyone,

I have now started my latest project...!

Oops... somehow it’s sad to read your conclusion – but you’re probably right [emoji87][emoji85]

ypg schrieb:
Oops... somehow your conclusion is sad to read – but you will be right [emoji87][emoji85]

UPS