Want to raise ceiling of mid 60s Southern Calfiornia ranch home
I am interested in purchasing this fixer upper, but one thing about it that I am not sure can be “fixed” is the low ceiling.
I have read about people raising the ceiling online but I am not sure if this can be done on this home and what the estimated cost would be.
Just to give some background, this is a single story ranch home is located in Southern California (Orange County) and was built in the mid 60s. Over 3000 sq ft. The listing information says it’s a flat roof, but the roof actually has a 15 maybe 20 degree pitch.
I am hoping the experts here can tell me, based on the age and location of the house, what type of construction the roof probably has and thus my options, along with a very broad cost estimate if possible.
Thanks!
Replies
Much more information is needed before anyone, near you or far away, can offer advice. Please post photos. My sense is that the roof is rafter-framed. In that case, you could, conceivably, demolish the interior ceiling and joists, and frame new ceiling joists higher up. The IRC 2012 tells you what percentage of habitable space can have a ceiling that falls between the minimum and standard height. The other thing you want to consider relates to bearing and directional forces. You may be required to beef up (stiffen) the area where ceiling joists and rafters meet. This is not a DYSer proposition! PLEASE SEE A STRUCTURAL ENGINEER.
If your roof is trussed (I doubt it), you face an entirely different scenario. Either way, don't do anything until you have a code-compliant plan and a building permit.
You would have a conventionally framed roof with little to no attic. Unless you are buying the house for pennies on the dollar raising the roof would be prohibitively expensive. You'd virtually be rebuilding the entire house.
It all comes down to:
Given enough time and money, you CAN do nearly anything....the real question is SHOULD you do something......
In many cases, the answer, to the real question is HECK NO you should'nt do this.
Also find it funny, you get in New England and many historic homes have 6.5 foot or 7 foot ceilings. Less volume is less to heat. get to other areas and what I presume to be an 8 foot ceiling is too low.
Exactly!