Have you heard of this phenomenon known as 1-1/2 (one and one half) story > house?
> How does that work?
> Is the 1/2 story part only 4 ft tall?
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A 1-1/2 story house is typically one where the roof line starts at the top of the first floor wall, put is steep enough that allows for livable space above. Think "Cape Cod" style....with dormers
My house is exactly that. The second floor plate is approximately 2/3 that of the first floor, about half of each room has a full 8 ft ceiling, the rest is sloping, with the walls on the lower side 3-4 ft high.