Making opening in a concrete ceiling

[andyrkcp]

Second go. Forgot to put a title first time!
We want to install a staircase from the ground to the first floor in our house.
The ceiling is concrete.
What are the issues involved in making a new opening in a concrete ceiling?

 

[noseall]

if you have a block 'n' beam floor then i suggest you seek the advice of a structural engineer.

 

[andyrkcp]

Yes. I rather thought that would be the case.
Is it possible to do, though without spending huge sums of money (on the ceiling, not the structural engineer )?

 

[noseall]

Is it possible to do, though without spending huge sums of money (on the ceiling, not the structural engineer )?

i have never had the experience of this kind of work, so i can't comment. i can only presume that it will be very difficult to trim the opening laterally across the beams, without actually removing a large part of the floor.

 

[freddiemercurystwin]

Is there a screed on top? Ordinarily I seem to remember that you trim a B&B floor similar to a timber joist floor ie you trim it with a trimmer to create your opening (with special steel trimmer shoes that allow another beam to be suspended perpendicular to the main run if you see what I mean?). With my simple brain I would think that in order to trim an existing floor you'd need to take up the screed to enable you to insert your trimmer. In a new build I think you would also probably put a double joist (2 beams) in to hang your trimmer off therefore to create a new hole in an existing floor you may need additional support. Did you plan on having a wall either side of your stair? You may need one for fire regs anyway aswell as for support. Shouldn't cost too much but would be a fiddly/messy job I imagine! Heyho this might all be a load of bollax , only your engineer will know for sure, please let us know the solution from your engineer I'm intrigued!

 

[andyrkcp]

Thanks guys, I'll let you know how we get on!