3 ms·
My last one was built in 1895. I really miss the 10 foot ceilings. The increased air space + transom windows were a fantastic passive cooling system.
by anonAndOn 5y ago
My last one was built in 1895. I really miss the 10 foot ceilings. The increased air space + transom windows were a fantastic passive cooling system.
- handrous 5y agoOld houses are amazing if you need to live in them without modern heating and cooling. They're built to work about as well as possible, under those circumstances. They suck if you want to retrofit them to have modern heating and cooling. The high ceilings, giant windows on all sides, large open attics (vital for temp control without AC!), and generally poor sealing (=great if you need them to survive temp and humidity changes throughout the year, and not turn into a giant mold farm like a modern house would) all work against you.
- rootusrootus 5y agoI looked at a house in Boston that was built in the 1700s, and it had the opposite problem. Ceilings were like 6.5 feet, felt claustrophobic. Where I live now, ceiling heights are going back up. 10 years ago it was common to have 9 foot ceilings on the first floor, 8 foot on the second. Now it's common to have 9 foot on the second floor as well. And there are a not-insignificant number of houses being built with 10 foot ceilings.
- lotsofpulp 5y agoIn an air conditioned house, I do not see the purpose of 9ft and 10ft ceilings other than vanity. It just results in more cost to condition air that is above your head. I would rather spend less on my utility bills, and conserve the energy.
- rootusrootus 5y agoI don't feel too strongly about it, though on balance I like the open feel to 9 foot ceilings. It seems to be standardized on most new houses these days, so unless I have another house built I don't expect to be able to make a choice.
- fomine3 5y agoAs everyone buy SUV over sedan.