Im building a 13' x 23' theater on the second floor of my home. I want to construct a room within a room, but am concerned about the weight. The room is above the Living Room and has 9" wooden I-beam floor joists that are sitting on joist hangers at either end.

Once I build the walls, insulate, 2 layers of drywall, GG, columns, trim, risers, stage, etc, etc, Im afraid I will have too much weight up there. Is this a legitimate concern?

I would like to have the sound isolation of the room-within-a-room, since it's on the second floor. But not sure I can load so much weight in one room resting on joist hangers.

Any thoughts?

you are essentially building 2.5 rooms in the space of a single room. Your concerns are valid and you would be wise to contact an structural engineer to review your plans and your existing contruction.

Best of luck.

Yeah, that's what I figured. I think I will just use channel hats on the walls with 2 layers of DW. That will take the weight off of the floor and transfer it to the walls where there is plenty of support.

Thanks :)

you are essentially building 2.5 rooms in the space of a single room. Your concerns are valid and you would be wise to contact an structural engineer to review your plans and your existing contruction.

Best of luck.

Definitely agree, structural engineer. I built a 20' x 28' room in room on the second floor and have had 25 adults in there at once. Iwill say one thing if you gowith high output subs etc you will enjoy the visceral room response that you can't get in a basement.


Art

When I had a structural engineer out to inspect/recommend a few things, she needed to check the attic, inspect the beams (and get some numbers off of them), and examine load-bearing walls.

She did it for free because she's my wife's best friend....but don't expect it to be cheap. She spent about 3-4 hours inspecting and another several running calculations and such...normally around a $1200-$1500 fee depending on how detailed it needs to be (mine was fairly involved).

Good Luck!

Definitely agree, structural engineer. I built a 20' x 28' room in room on the second floor and have had 25 adults in there at once. Iwill say one thing if you gowith high output subs etc you will enjoy the visceral room response that you can't get in a basement.


Art


How is your room supported?

I probably wouldn't worry so much if it wasn't for the joist hangers in my situation. If my joists were running over a beam instead of into the side of it I wouldn't even be asking.

I could bolt a long 2x6 under the floor joists at each end of the room, along the edge of the living room ceiling below. Giving added support to the hangers. My living room is going to have ornate crown molding anyway, so the 2x6 will be covered by molding. Would the 2x6's bolted to the wall studs below offer any more support for the second floor?

Thoughts?

When I had a structural engineer out to inspect/recommend a few things, she needed to check the attic, inspect the beams (and get some numbers off of them), and examine load-bearing walls.

She did it for free because she's my wife's best friend....but don't expect it to be cheap. She spent about 3-4 hours inspecting and another several running calculations and such...normally around a $1200-$1500 fee depending on how detailed it needs to be (mine was fairly involved).

Good Luck!

Ouch.:eek:

Yeah, I have heard engineers can get expensive. I'll have to see if I can make friends with one. :)