ᐅ Full story or with knee wall?

Created on: 16 Jan 2019 15:44
J
JuliaHa
Hello everyone,
I just registered because I have a question.

We are currently deep in the planning phase for our single-family house and now we are wondering whether to build two full stories or to have a knee wall of 1.90 cm (0.75 inches) upstairs.
Our contractor said it would be cheaper with two full stories since the roof frame wouldn’t need insulation and the ceilings on the first floor wouldn’t have to be lowered.

Does anyone have experience with which option is more cost-effective?
From a practical point of view, two full stories would be better.

Best regards, JuliaHa
face2617 Jan 2019 11:56
...from what height is it still considered a knee wall and from when is it a full story? Assuming the ceiling height remains 2.3m (7 ft 7 in). What happens if no ceiling is installed above the upper floor? Or is it more of a "gradual" transition?
M
Mottenhausen
17 Jan 2019 13:15
This is determined by the respective building regulations. If a room height of 2.x meters (7.x feet) is reached on xy% of the area, it counts as a full story. Such a high knee wall should be considered a full story everywhere.
blaupuma17 Jan 2019 23:30
6.5 meters (21 feet) in height with 2 full floors inside.

How is that supposed to work?

I have 6.3 meters (20.7 feet) in my bungalow.
E
Escroda
18 Jan 2019 08:05
blaupuma schrieb:
I have 6.3 m (20.7 ft) in my bungalow.

Oh, it seems they sold you a commercial hall instead of a bungalow.
Show us some pictures!
face26 schrieb:
…from when is it still considered a knee wall and when is it a full story?

I think the original poster is not referring to the legal definition of a full story, which no longer applies in Bavaria anyway, but rather to where the roof starts: below or above the second floor ceiling. The latter is probably more cost-effective. In the end, the structural builder will know best. He can compare the options, and then you can see where the money goes.
blaupuma18 Jan 2019 08:37
Escroda schrieb:
Oh, it looks like you were sold a commercial hall instead of a bungalow.
Show us some pictures!

I think the original poster isn’t concerned with the legal definition of a full storey, which no longer exists in Bavaria anyway, but rather about where the roof begins: below or above the second floor ceiling. The latter being cheaper, I consider possible. Ultimately, though, the structural builder is the best person to decide. He can compare the alternatives, then it becomes clear where the costs lie.

Interior of an unfinished construction site with scaffolding, cables on the floor, and an open window.


Raw interior of a construction project with unfinished concrete walls, door openings, and a wooden ceiling.


Unfinished interior of a construction site: raw walls, wooden beam ceiling, building materials on the floor.
E
Escroda
18 Jan 2019 14:09
Cool. However, I wouldn’t call it a bungalow anymore.