Hello everyone,
Is there a current guideline for how high the finished floor should be above street level? Or what are your experiences—how many steps do you have leading up to your front door?
Thank you very much
Is there a current guideline for how high the finished floor should be above street level? Or what are your experiences—how many steps do you have leading up to your front door?
Thank you very much
M
maulwurf7912 Mar 2023 13:28Three steps up from the ground is specified in the building regulations from the Imperial era. I would not recommend anything else in times of global warming.
A
Allthewayup12 Mar 2023 20:04So, the finished floor level is 10cm (4 inches) above the sidewalk, which starts only 3m (10 feet) away. Generally, any building openings that are not watertight against pressure backsplash should be located above the backwater level. In our case, for example, the backwater level is published in the city’s planning guidelines and is actually at sidewalk level because we are close to the Danube and flood hazard areas. In 1999, the Danube's water practically reached the front door. Since we want barrier-free access to the house (the front door is 6m (20 feet) from the sidewalk), we will have a slight slope from the front door to the sidewalk so we can enter without steps.
For topics like this, I would look at long-term data on groundwater levels, historical maximum water levels of nearby streams and rivers, as well as extreme rainfall events. If data suggests a frequent increased risk, I would generally plan the finished floor a few centimeters higher. The basement should then be designed to be watertight against pressure water, if one is desired.
Since we occasionally have to deal with surface water from very heavy rainfall in a short time (the sewer in our side street is undersized), we have installed a drainage channel along the entire west and south facade that drains into a high-capacity soakaway pit, which is independent of the street sewer. This way, during heavy rain events, we avoid the risk of water running from the street through the windows into the house after overcoming the 10cm (4 inches) height difference.
Personally, I would not build a house in such “hazard zones” any lower than street or sidewalk level.
For topics like this, I would look at long-term data on groundwater levels, historical maximum water levels of nearby streams and rivers, as well as extreme rainfall events. If data suggests a frequent increased risk, I would generally plan the finished floor a few centimeters higher. The basement should then be designed to be watertight against pressure water, if one is desired.
Since we occasionally have to deal with surface water from very heavy rainfall in a short time (the sewer in our side street is undersized), we have installed a drainage channel along the entire west and south facade that drains into a high-capacity soakaway pit, which is independent of the street sewer. This way, during heavy rain events, we avoid the risk of water running from the street through the windows into the house after overcoming the 10cm (4 inches) height difference.
Personally, I would not build a house in such “hazard zones” any lower than street or sidewalk level.
X
xMisterDx16 Mar 2023 19:33The development plan, or if in doubt the building authority, determines how far above street level you are allowed to place the top edge of your finished floor—and often also how far above you must build. For my project, I have to build at least 15cm (6 inches) and no more than 60cm (24 inches) above street level.
And even though some here might see it differently:
Build as high as it makes economic/financial sense and is allowed by building regulations. At some point, I realized that if I built any higher, I would have to construct retaining walls towards the neighbor’s property. That’s when my budget ran out; otherwise, my finished floor level would now be 60cm (24 inches) above street level instead of just over 20cm (8 inches).
This is one of the few things about a house that you can never change later. And it certainly doesn’t hurt during heavy rain if you are 30cm (12 inches) above street level instead of 15cm (6 inches) below... ideally with a fully paved surface in front of the house and a small drainage channel at the lowest point 😉
You also need to keep in mind that you may add soil later, and ideally this should not extend beyond the foundation slab... otherwise, the vapor barrier under the first course of blocks does little good if you pile wet soil directly against it...
And even though some here might see it differently:
Build as high as it makes economic/financial sense and is allowed by building regulations. At some point, I realized that if I built any higher, I would have to construct retaining walls towards the neighbor’s property. That’s when my budget ran out; otherwise, my finished floor level would now be 60cm (24 inches) above street level instead of just over 20cm (8 inches).
This is one of the few things about a house that you can never change later. And it certainly doesn’t hurt during heavy rain if you are 30cm (12 inches) above street level instead of 15cm (6 inches) below... ideally with a fully paved surface in front of the house and a small drainage channel at the lowest point 😉
You also need to keep in mind that you may add soil later, and ideally this should not extend beyond the foundation slab... otherwise, the vapor barrier under the first course of blocks does little good if you pile wet soil directly against it...
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