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Design Dilemma Renovating Living Room

Raising a sunken family room floor

7 months ago

We're looking to raise our sunken family room floor to minimise the risk of our elderly family members tripping when they visit or come stay with us. We're currently thinking of raising it with either (1) concrete fill, (2) timber framing or (3) EPS foam blocks with either a wooden or concrete subfloor added on top.
We had initially thought of raising the floor without raising the door and window, and having a step down to the door instead. However, this would mean the top of the door and window would be lower than the other doors and windows in the house. So, I'm thinking the door and window will need to be raised. Looking at past repair photos it appears that cripple studs have been added between the header and window and door to allow them to be raised up in future. And the use of weatherboard outside would imply that this could be done.
I'd like to hear the experiences of others who had a similar situation and what they did with raising a sunken room floor as well as any ideas and thoughts others may have. I'm hoping this will help me with moving in the right direction. Thank you.

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Comments (3)

PRO
Compass Kitchens
7 months ago
last modified: 7 months ago
Hello Paul, it is really helpful that you have provided images of the past work where this wall was exposed, as well as providing an external image and description. You are is a lucky position that yes it looks like you can raise the height of your sliding door and put in a taller window each going up to the existing lintels, without the need for additional structural alterations.

Your situation also puts you in the lucky position where you can install a new "level threshold sliding door" where by doing away with a raised bottom track to step (or wheelchair) over. My suggestion would be not to create the 172mm set-down inside the Family room as shown in your plan, but instead use a "level threshold sliding door" and build a corresponding decking at the same level outside after removing the concrete path.

There will be no need to open the Gyprock walls (like in the older photo) you just need to open up the door and window sections.

Regarding you raising the floor level, I would use a simple timber stud frame topped with 19mm Structafloor boards and then topped with your finished floor covering material; being sure to calculate all these thicknesses beforehand to ensure a level uniform transition at you kitchen, halls, and sliding door.

Hope this helps, Malcolm.
Paul
Original Author
7 months ago
Thank you for sharing your insight Malcolm. That's very helpful and gives me more confidence that I'm heading in the right direction as well as a better understanding of the potential costs.
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PRO
Kitchen and Home Sketch Designs
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Hello Paul, I think you need to lift the doors and windows too. It will not be any good to lift the floor but have just a smaller section for people to trip down...no point doing it really. And I really do feel it is a job worth doing and worth doing properly properly. Cheers Margot

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