A void is an open space in a floor that lets you look from one storey to the next — a deliberate ‘hole’ in the floor. A void creates a sense of space, allows light to travel deeper into the building, and gives an open feel. You’ll find voids near staircases, in living rooms or as a feature of loft-style homes.
Advantages and disadvantages
| Advantages | Disadvantages |
|---|---|
| Sense of space, greater volume | Loss of floor area on the upper level |
| More daylight reaching lower floors | Sound travels between floors |
| Stately, luxurious appearance | Warm air rises, energy-inefficient |
| Visual connection between floors | Extra heating needed downstairs |
Creating a void in an existing home
Creating a void means removing a section of floor. This is a major renovation:
1. Structural check (mandatory)
- Hire a structural engineer — Floor joists will be interrupted; the structure must be recalculated
- Steel edge beams — Steel beams are placed around the void to redistribute loads
- Foundation — Check if the foundation can handle the altered loads
2. Planning permission
- A void involves structural alterations → building permit required
- Fire safety — An open void can spread fire and smoke faster; fire services have requirements
3. Balustrade/railing
- Required around a void (building regulations: minimum 1.00 m hig
Building regulations for a railing around a void. h)
- Materials: steel + glass, wood, wrought iron
- Spindle spacing — Maximum 10 cm (child safety)
Dimensions
| Dimension | Recommendation |
|---|---|
| Minimum | 1.50 x 1.50 m (otherwise it just feels like a stairwell) |
| Typical | 2.00 x 3.00 m |
| Height | At least 2 storeys (5-6 m) for maximum effect |
Common mistakes
- No structural engineer — A floor is part of the load-bearing structure; cutting a hole without calculations is dangerous
- Not accounting for sound — Consider void glazing or a partition on the upper floor
- Underestimating heating — Heating costs rise significantly due to the larger air volume
Related terms
- Beam
- Balustrade
- Staircase
- Building regulations
- Truss
- Reinforcement