The Average Floor to Ceiling Height

Identification

• The average floor-to-ceiling height is nine feet, though it was eight feet in previous decades. A standardized size can make the building process easier and more affordable. Variations tend be costly. In some homes, the ceiling height varies from floor to floor. First floors tend to have higher ceilings than a second or third floor.

Benefits

• A nine-foot floor-to-ceiling height does not cost as much to heat, as higher ceilings will cause air to move upward. In addition, nine-foot ceilings allow for homeowners to place a fan or light fixture on the ceiling without worrying that someone will bump his head, as most people are between five and six feel tall.

  When walls are the same height, manufacturers can also standardize accessories such as cabinets, shelves and other fixtures.

Other Options

• Older homes tend to have higher ceilings. This could have been because they did not build closets and needed to accommodate large wardrobes or other shelving units. Apartments, especially upscale dwellings, sometimes have ceilings higher than eight feet. Even though having higher ceilings is characteristic of older homes, some manufacturers are now building homes with higher ceilings to add value and prestige. Higher ceilings cost more, as more materials are used, and homeowners like them because they help a space feel more open. When building higher ceilings, builders need to purchase more expensive custom fixtures to work with the higher ceilings and added wall space. This can add to the cost of the home. Some consumers with a limited budget will accept a smaller space as long as it has higher ceilings to add more value and prestige to the home.

  Some cities or counties have special zoning areas that allow higher ceilings. Office buildings almost always have higher ceilings, and it is not uncommon to see offices with ceilings as high as 13 feet.

Considerations

• Even though older homes with higher ceilings can cost more to heat and cool, some newer models that are built with higher ceilings are still more energy efficient or just as energy efficient as typical older homes. This is because builders today will often use more energy-efficient materials and appliances in contemporary homes.