beppington
Elite Member
When I was 14-15 I helped my parents physically build our house (2-story). Then, when I was 22-23 they helped me build mine (1-story).
So, I do have experience building a 2-story house, but with wood joists (2x12's).
I'm thinking about building my next house, a 2-story, with a concrete 2nd story floor.
The reason: The house is going in a somewhat low area "near", but not in, areas that can flood. My better half is very concerned about this, so our plan is to build a 2-story house where the ground floor is entirely garage/ utility/ work-shop, & the actual living area is all on the 2nd floor.
I've never liked the feel or sound-travel of wood-joists floors, so, if reasonable, I'd like to be able to make the 2nd floor "seem" like it's a standard, ground-floor concrete slab.
I always appreciate hotels that have concrete floors on the floors above ground floor. They just seem more substantial & quality, & you never hear noise penetrating thru them. I'm not sure how they make them, though. Is it all concrete? Are there steel beams? Are the beams inside the concrete? Is there not actually any concrete at all??
With the work-shop & garage being on the ground floor directly below the living area, & me being a night owl, I'd like to not have to be super-quiet while others are sleeping above.
So, the question: Will it be prohibitively difficult and/or expensive to make the 2nd story floor concrete, compared to wood joists? What might the cost difference be?
So, I do have experience building a 2-story house, but with wood joists (2x12's).
I'm thinking about building my next house, a 2-story, with a concrete 2nd story floor.
The reason: The house is going in a somewhat low area "near", but not in, areas that can flood. My better half is very concerned about this, so our plan is to build a 2-story house where the ground floor is entirely garage/ utility/ work-shop, & the actual living area is all on the 2nd floor.
I've never liked the feel or sound-travel of wood-joists floors, so, if reasonable, I'd like to be able to make the 2nd floor "seem" like it's a standard, ground-floor concrete slab.
I always appreciate hotels that have concrete floors on the floors above ground floor. They just seem more substantial & quality, & you never hear noise penetrating thru them. I'm not sure how they make them, though. Is it all concrete? Are there steel beams? Are the beams inside the concrete? Is there not actually any concrete at all??
With the work-shop & garage being on the ground floor directly below the living area, & me being a night owl, I'd like to not have to be super-quiet while others are sleeping above.
So, the question: Will it be prohibitively difficult and/or expensive to make the 2nd story floor concrete, compared to wood joists? What might the cost difference be?