AndyStandley

Thanks. Home Designer Pro 2021.

Hi, I have a large central span of attic space that I want to have attic trusses with 9ft ceilings. I have tried multiple times, but have become frustrated. I believe if I can get second story ceilings built, I will know how to proceed, but I can't get ceilings built. This may be because the walls and roof are incomplete. 5-pier plan lacking attic trusses.plan

Hey Rick, I looked up attic trusses and I like them. Yes, water closet with a walk-in closet. I need to add closets in the two others. Also, yes, 9' throughout will be fine, I think. I'm currently downloading HDPRO 2021, and I call you in a few. Thanks a ton, Andy

I have been trying to figure how I can turn the stairs, and it won't be easy. They run with the length of the house, so without U-turning them, it will be a challenge. I am tempted to keep them and do whatever I need to do to the floor instead. I am adding a layout with room labels. I am not 100% sure what you mean by attic trusses. I do want to maximize the space upstairs, and I am considering extending the exterior walls by a couple feet to help with that. I'm open to changing the roof pitch too. Whatever is better to maximize the space. I had already figured that I-joists were necessary for the 2nd story floor, because of the large span within the living room and kitchen area. Excellent help. Thanks, Andy Room Labels for Rick.pdf

Thanks Solver and Rick. It looks like I had to close the file in Pro. The advice above will get me a lot further than I was. I'm attaching the PLAN just in case you have any ideas for a simpler way. I thought I might have to go with engineered products, and now I think they may be better anyway. Andy 9-pier foundation and floor.plan

Does the forum limit the attachments or something, because I cannot attach anything more. OK, it seems to only accept PDFs.

I'm trying to attach it, but it won't go. Any advice?

Thanks. The house has a crawl space and a second floor/framed attic. The floor girders are triple 2x12, and I have my piers with no more than 8' span between them (although more center to center). I will have to look into the steel beam idea. I have already warmed up to the I-joists, especially for long spans in some parts of the ceiling. My main questions are: 1. Does the main load-bearing wall down the center of the house holding the ceiling joists need to be exactly on top of the girder/pier system for the floor? 2. Does the stair need four piers at its corners? (it was an engineer that recommended this) 3. Do you see any simpler way to design the floor which may reduce member size. 9-pier foundation and floor.pdf

I understand and I have reached out to a structural engineer. But can you give examples? I thought the purpose of HDPRO is to allow motivated individuals to wrestle with and solve the technical difficulties in planning a house themselves. I do, however, see that HDPRO's automatic features are far inadequate, so that corrections are necessary. I did think the forum was to facilitate that learning process. I believe you even offer to correct plans?

Hi, I have been trying to make a viable floor for my house plans, and I have some questions about load-bearing walls. Mainly, I want to minimize my number of piers as well as the size of the members. But I don't know if load-bearing walls have to be exactly over the floor girders. I am attaching the floor framing and foundation with the interior walls referenced. Any help is greatly appreciated. Here is a little context: 1. The local inspector told me he was uncomfortable with more than 8' between piers. 2. I was told it was best to put piers at all 4 corners of the stairs. 3. The 17+' span of the joists may be OK, but I was told it may be harder to get it in lumber. Mainly, I just want to make a common floor with simple materials, whether lumber or engineered products. Thanks again, Andy Standley 9-pier foundation and floor.pdf