Browse Forums General Discussion 1 Jun 14, 2017 11:39 pm My question is just as confusing as the topic itself. I apologise in advance. Will anyone be able to explain how this works. I want a double story home. Would like the upper level to also be bricks only and no cladding. Ground floor (GF) is quite large and top floor in smaller. Top floor sits on the middle of the GF so not directly above any outside wall of the GF. Architect reckons it is possible but will be costly requiring a lot of steel beams. I am wondering if that is really the case. Re: Bricks (no cladding) top floor - double story 2Jun 15, 2017 12:03 am So you want bricks to provide structural support for your top floor and for the roof? What about insulation? It will go outside and then you will be rendering on top? Have you considered engineered subfloor such as Hebel PowerFloor to hold the bricks for you? Re: Bricks (no cladding) top floor - double story 3Jun 15, 2017 5:25 am Buildem the majority of 2-storey houses built in WA are Double Brick The options for supporting the upper storey wall brick loads are by Steel beams or reinforced concrete suspended slabs If you require specific advice you need to put up more info & Sketches Bare in mind Structural components require consideration for durability, fire rating & Insulation Designer,Engineer (Civil,Const & Envir),Builder,Concrete & Masonry Contract.Struct Repairs Re: Bricks (no cladding) top floor - double story 5Jun 15, 2017 7:29 am Yes Our standard facade had partial cladding upstairs. To get full brick was over $20k more due to increased engineering requirements/steel beams etc... (we kept the cladding) majestic35.weebly.com Re: Bricks (no cladding) top floor - double story 6Jun 15, 2017 9:56 am Thanks everyone. StructuralBIMguy is is possible to have single bricks GF and upstairs using the steel beams to support the top floor. Are suspended ceilings better options or steel beams. The property is right next to the main road and I need something acoustic on the top which is cost effective. I would prefer bricks if the cost difference isn't much. I feel buyers in our area have a preference for full brick properties. Re: Bricks (no cladding) top floor - double story 7Jun 15, 2017 11:01 am Buildem If the brick walls upstairs are not directly supported on brick walls beneath Then the wall will need to be supported on Steel Beams which also carry the floor joists/beams Suspended ceilings can be hung beneath Alternatively Reinforced Concrete Suspended slabs can carry brick loads directly and the slab soffit (underside) can be skimmed/coated to provide the ceiling For better acoustic properties a solid concrete slab/floor is preferable Cost wise they are about the same cost The cost of the crane hire for the placement of the steel beams offsets the cost of a concrete pump Designer,Engineer (Civil,Const & Envir),Builder,Concrete & Masonry Contract.Struct Repairs Re: Bricks (no cladding) top floor - double story 8Jun 15, 2017 11:12 am StructuralBIMGuy @Buildem If the brick walls upstairs are not directly supported on brick walls beneath Then the wall will need to be supported on Steel Beams which also carry the floor joists/beams Suspended ceilings can be hung beneath Alternatively Reinforced Concrete Suspended slabs can carry brick loads directly and the slab soffit (underside) can be skimmed/coated to provide the ceiling For better acoustic properties a solid concrete slab/floor is preferable Cost wise they are about the same cost The cost of the crane hire for the placement of the steel beams offsets the cost of a concrete pump Thanks. Your responses are very valuable. I am also considering just increasing the size of the top floor to follow the brick walls of GF. This increases the top floor by around 5-6 squares. Will it work out more cost effective if I increase the top floor size or go with the suspended ceiling option and keep the smaller size. Re: Bricks (no cladding) top floor - double story 9Jun 16, 2017 8:59 am Optimising the floor space is always a good idea, as beams and slabs extend to the walls below the problem are generally upper floor boundary setbacks & Planning codes...again you need to put photos up for others Designer,Engineer (Civil,Const & Envir),Builder,Concrete & Masonry Contract.Struct Repairs We bought land in Tallawong Schofields NSW size 30m X 12.5m and planning to get double story house build around 350 sqm. We are thinking about having premium inclusions… 0 4076 I have a toilet that blocks up on the top (2nd) floor of a property. The toilets on the 1st and ground floor are OK) Blockage clears when the using a plunger. But… 0 481 Hi, We have a single story MacDonald Jones house, on a waffle pod slab with steel frame. Are we able to build a second story extension? Other info is we are 900mm from… 0 8443 |