CountryPlans Forum

Plans Support => Plans Support => Topic started by: VannL on August 01, 2011, 01:01:48 PM

Title: Verifying my Understanding and Such
Post by: VannL on August 01, 2011, 01:01:48 PM
Two parts to this.  I want to make sure that what I am thinking is correct before I get my plans purchased.  (Regarding 20X30)

1) I want a plan where I have an upstairs with usable space.  My desire is to have the front 1/3 of the floorplan, the space that will end up being over the living room, to be open above.  I want to leave the 'lofted' area upstairs as one big area with an awesome view toward the 'wall of glass' type front wall.  My big question is helping to understand the differences between the 1/5 story and the 2 story.  I believe I am correct in stating that the 1.5 story side walls upstairs are basically half walls before they hit the roof slope.

I think that based on this, the 1.5 story will be easier to build, based on my previous question in another thread.  Are the walls built up as one solid piece or is the second story (the half story) built on the top of the wall of the first story?  I am asking this because of the availability and cost of extra long lumber.

Also, I feel that this will provide less air space to heat and cool, especially as I want an open loft and cathedral ceiling style.  Is my head math correct?

2) I would like to have a basement under this house for a root cellar and other stuff.  As I look at the plans I have from the small cabin set, I see post and pillar build method.  Would I make the basement walls match where the pillars have gone to support the structures or is there a different building option for this type of construction?


Sorry for the questions, but I am a little nervous about all this and yet very excited about getting the plans in my hands as early as possible so I can study them for a few years while we figure out where our land will be.

Thank you for your patience and expertise.  It is very much appreciated and I think the success of this forum and your site are a testament to that.
Title: Re: Verifying my Understanding and Such
Post by: John Raabe on August 01, 2011, 03:22:21 PM
Question 1: The sidewalls of the 1-1/2 story are 10' tall and the loft floor joists are supported by a ledger let-in (notched) into the studs. You can stop the loft and leave the Great Room open. The standard roof sitting on these walls uses local trusses (I also show a site-built truss if you can't get locally engineered trusses). In most code jurisdictions 10' tall is the limit for a unsupported or non-engineered wall. When the loft is extended the full length of the house some builders have used 12' or even taller finger jointed studs to give more space and headroom in the loft. But you should not try an unsupported open wall of that height in the great room without checking with an engineer.

For the great room, if you don't want to do trusses, you could consider a full cathedral ceiling using 2x12 rafters which would involve a ridge beam supporting the 2x12's at the peak. This beam would be sized for the span and local snow load. This option is not shown in the plans but a local builder could help you with that.

Question 2: The plan comes with three different foundation plan sheets - a concrete crawlspace, a concrete slab and a pier and beam. The crawlspace foundation plan can be used for a basement by thickening the wall from 6" to 8" and making the footing larger. Have a local foundation contractor help with the stepping of the sidewalls and rebar needed for the planned back-fill. You will also want to change the cottage stair in the main floor plan to the "U" shaped stair provided on page 3 of the plans booklet. This will allow the same full-sized stair to go from basement to the loft.

Hope that helps.

Title: Re: Verifying my Understanding and Such
Post by: VannL on August 03, 2011, 02:05:22 PM
Thanks!  It does help.