What is the definition of a half story?

[Christine Erickson]

I must have missed this in basic, but is a cape a 1.5 story house? What, exactly, delineates a 1.5 story from a 2 story?

TIA

Chris

 

[Mike Kennedy]

Hi Chris. Capes typically can be 1 Story, 1.25, 1.5, or 1.7 stories with 1 story GLA and unfinished upper (depending on year/period built) or both levels finished. Slope of the Roof (view from side of dwelling) typically determines USABLE area; Dormered windows and "shed" dormers set back from the side walls of the first floor are characteristic.

http://architecture.about.com/od/artsandcrafts/ig/Cape-COD-Houses/ the front views of these house are typical, MANY also exhibit FULL rear half stories (shed dormers) as well as the dormered windows in front.

http://architecture.about.com/od/periodsstyles/ig/House-Styles/colonial-cape-COD-2268048.htm

example 1.75 story FRONT is half story / rear full = 3/4 story

 

[stefan olafson]

Differs by appraiser and region. I qualify a 1/2 story a home with slanting side walls in the second story finished areas. Areas that I measure at the 5' level to determine square footage. 3/4 story homes are similar but have straight walls to the 8' mark at least. That's how I do it, let's see what else comes along.

 

[Lawrence R.]

A half story is when you catch your kid in the cookie jar and he tells you that he was getting you a cookie.


Sorry to say that there may not be on over riding definition of 1.5 vs 2 story.

I go based on no more than tradition, frankly. I was taught that if the floor above had the same dimensions as the floor below, that was a 2 story. anything short of that was a 1.5 story.

Also, local Zoning ordinances may rule the day as far as what each municipality considers one or the other.

I think the main construction term is how high the wall plate is from the first story. Over a certain height and it is classified as a 2 story house.

I am sure this varies all over.

 

[Joe Booth]

It's a Cape. Still two stories.

 

[Terrel L. Shields]

I qualify a 1/2 story a home with slanting side walls in the second story finished areas.

Me, too. no slant...2 sty

 

[Robert Hronek]

It can be used when the 2nd floor is much smaller than the 1st floor. Typically in a 1.5 story the master bedroom is on the main floor and the remaining bedrooms are on the 2nd floor.

 

[Pat Butler]

It's when you go to the library and find a book where someone has torn it half....

Actually, we have 1.25 and 1.5 story houses in our area and it can be determined by where the roof line falls in relation to the windows on the upper story.

 

[Pat Butler]

Here's what our market calls a full two story. Note that the roof line at the eave level does not intrude into the living space which is indicated by the top of the window.

 

[Pat Butler]

Here's a 1.75 story where obviously part of level two does not have full ceiling height throughout as part of the roof line slopes into the room. A 1.5 story has an even lower roof line. Your mileage may vary.