Hello,
Our new build is scheduled to start in November. It will be a townhouse, similar to a Tuscan-style house, built to KfW 70 standard.
We have now reached the topic of roller shutters. We didn’t realize there was so much to consider...
If we choose built-in roller shutters, the lintels on the ground floor would need to be altered, and a floor height increase would be required on the upper floor. Before signing the contract, we discussed with our builder getting a quote for both built-in and surface-mounted roller shutters (for later installation). This way, for financial reasons, we could decide whether to install the shutters during the initial construction or afterward. However, the structural changes to the lintels and the floor height increase were never mentioned at that time! We were surprised by the builder, who later presented us with an additional offer.
If we opt for surface-mounted roller shutters instead of built-in ones, the shutter installation would either involve working into the masonry or require a frame extension, correct?
So, which option would be best for a KfW 70 house? Do you have any tips for us?
We really don’t know what to do right now but need to decide soon!
Thank you very much for your help!
Best regards,
Hannah
Our new build is scheduled to start in November. It will be a townhouse, similar to a Tuscan-style house, built to KfW 70 standard.
We have now reached the topic of roller shutters. We didn’t realize there was so much to consider...
If we choose built-in roller shutters, the lintels on the ground floor would need to be altered, and a floor height increase would be required on the upper floor. Before signing the contract, we discussed with our builder getting a quote for both built-in and surface-mounted roller shutters (for later installation). This way, for financial reasons, we could decide whether to install the shutters during the initial construction or afterward. However, the structural changes to the lintels and the floor height increase were never mentioned at that time! We were surprised by the builder, who later presented us with an additional offer.
If we opt for surface-mounted roller shutters instead of built-in ones, the shutter installation would either involve working into the masonry or require a frame extension, correct?
So, which option would be best for a KfW 70 house? Do you have any tips for us?
We really don’t know what to do right now but need to decide soon!
Thank you very much for your help!
Best regards,
Hannah
B
Bauexperte8 Oct 2010 17:40Hello Hannah,
The standard floor-to-ceiling height on the upper floor is usually around 2.50/2.52 meters (8.2/8.3 feet), and windows with roller shutters are not an issue there. Why does your project require an increased floor height? I’m still a bit confused.
Best regards
Hannah78 schrieb:
We also need to consider the additional costs for increasing the floor height on the upper floor ...
The standard floor-to-ceiling height on the upper floor is usually around 2.50/2.52 meters (8.2/8.3 feet), and windows with roller shutters are not an issue there. Why does your project require an increased floor height? I’m still a bit confused.
Best regards
Hello Building Expert,
we are constructing a Tuscan-style house where the sloped ceilings start at about 2 m (6.5 feet) above floor level. Therefore, the floor height now needs to be raised by 12.5 cm (5 inches). However, we do not want to pay for this increase, as sloped ceilings were never mentioned. Now, we are being asked to pay 1000 € for the floor height adjustment so that the external roller shutters will fit.
We were told that two full storeys start at approximately 1.60 m (5.25 feet), so the original agreement would be met.
Best regards
we are constructing a Tuscan-style house where the sloped ceilings start at about 2 m (6.5 feet) above floor level. Therefore, the floor height now needs to be raised by 12.5 cm (5 inches). However, we do not want to pay for this increase, as sloped ceilings were never mentioned. Now, we are being asked to pay 1000 € for the floor height adjustment so that the external roller shutters will fit.
We were told that two full storeys start at approximately 1.60 m (5.25 feet), so the original agreement would be met.
Best regards
B
Bauexperte8 Oct 2010 19:48Hello Hannah,
That does not sound good.
The attic can mathematically count as a full floor with a knee wall under 1.60 m (5.25 feet), but this depends crucially on the architectural details (e.g., cross gables/how much usable area, etc.); for a layperson it may look like a one-story building from the outside. However, a town villa is always two stories, so with proper planning, the issue with the roller shutters should not arise.
I strongly recommend—since construction is not scheduled to start until November—that you seek independent advice immediately using your house and contract documents. If “post-sale adjustments” come up shortly after signing the contract, it usually does not improve going forward.
Kind regards
Hannah78 schrieb:
we are building a Tuscan-style house, where the sloped ceilings start at about 2 m (6.5 feet) upstairs. Therefore, the floor level now needs to be raised by 12.5 cm (5 inches). But we do not want to pay for this, as the slopes were never mentioned. And now we are supposed to pay 1000 € for the floor height increase so that the external roller shutters fit.
Hannah78 schrieb:
We were told that two full floors start at about 1.60 m (5.25 feet), so the agreement would be met.
That does not sound good.
The attic can mathematically count as a full floor with a knee wall under 1.60 m (5.25 feet), but this depends crucially on the architectural details (e.g., cross gables/how much usable area, etc.); for a layperson it may look like a one-story building from the outside. However, a town villa is always two stories, so with proper planning, the issue with the roller shutters should not arise.
I strongly recommend—since construction is not scheduled to start until November—that you seek independent advice immediately using your house and contract documents. If “post-sale adjustments” come up shortly after signing the contract, it usually does not improve going forward.
Kind regards
Hello Hannah78
It seems your topic is still not settled..
Unfortunately, there is a lot of vague talk when it comes to these prefabricated house or architectural style descriptions. Everyone basically writes whatever they want.. what they want to offer.. no matter how, as long as it sounds good.
Maybe you could upload an elevation or, even better, a cross-section here (as an image or PDF attachment) so that you might get better help.
A “city villa” or “Tuscan house” usually refers to two full stories.. meaning two straight walls and flat ceilings.. with the roof on top.
If that were the case, the issue with shutters, as the building expert already mentioned, wouldn’t matter at all. They always fit! Fundamentally!
If you bought a house with a kneewall... let’s assume 2.00 m (6 ft 7 in) here, this does not correspond to the typical architectural style of a city villa or a Tuscan-style villa... and even if it did, then the question arises: if windows are planned on the kneewall side, what about the parapet height there? Or are those just narrow horizontal windows? Which again would not match either of these two house types.
It is unfortunately very common today that suppliers leave out shutters in their offers.. but this usually has the apparently low price as the reason.
There are only a few structural exceptions where adding a story height is necessary... but this depends on the basic construction.
However, this is usually already apparent in the design drawings provided!
In the end, it might really be wise to bring an independent building consultant on board... even though that costs something, it usually saves you more money than it costs. As a layperson, you will never spot the fine details—often hidden and usually with expensive surcharges—at least not until questions come up and you have to decide without any comparison.. or you decide to skip it and stick with the standard option.
It seems your topic is still not settled..
Unfortunately, there is a lot of vague talk when it comes to these prefabricated house or architectural style descriptions. Everyone basically writes whatever they want.. what they want to offer.. no matter how, as long as it sounds good.
Maybe you could upload an elevation or, even better, a cross-section here (as an image or PDF attachment) so that you might get better help.
A “city villa” or “Tuscan house” usually refers to two full stories.. meaning two straight walls and flat ceilings.. with the roof on top.
If that were the case, the issue with shutters, as the building expert already mentioned, wouldn’t matter at all. They always fit! Fundamentally!
If you bought a house with a kneewall... let’s assume 2.00 m (6 ft 7 in) here, this does not correspond to the typical architectural style of a city villa or a Tuscan-style villa... and even if it did, then the question arises: if windows are planned on the kneewall side, what about the parapet height there? Or are those just narrow horizontal windows? Which again would not match either of these two house types.
It is unfortunately very common today that suppliers leave out shutters in their offers.. but this usually has the apparently low price as the reason.
There are only a few structural exceptions where adding a story height is necessary... but this depends on the basic construction.
However, this is usually already apparent in the design drawings provided!
In the end, it might really be wise to bring an independent building consultant on board... even though that costs something, it usually saves you more money than it costs. As a layperson, you will never spot the fine details—often hidden and usually with expensive surcharges—at least not until questions come up and you have to decide without any comparison.. or you decide to skip it and stick with the standard option.
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