Reverse planter sofitt

Mlorek · 02-09-2013, 01:30 PM

Hello everyone, I am new to this forum and this is my first post. I am beginning a basement project and need a little guidance on a framing issue. I had our basement designed by a architect who in our blueprints has planned for "reverse planter sofitt" around our three windows. The lowest point of our basement ceiling will be the sofitt around our hvac supply lines. These reverse planters will be built into the soffit. I guess the question I have is on how to frame it or if someone has a picture on how the framing should look. Thanks in advance for any help anyone can provide.

12penny · 02-09-2013, 03:08 PM

Sorry, having a hard time figuring out what
a planter soffit is. Can you provide a
picture.

Mlorek · 02-09-2013, 04:27 PM

Something like this, framed into the ceiling because the ceiling sits about a third of the way down the window.

joecaption · 02-09-2013, 04:28 PM

The architect drew it and your asking us how to do it instead of them? I'm confused.
Never heard of one.

GBrackins · 02-09-2013, 05:28 PM

I would think you'd have a floor joist on either side of the window with a header (where the planter goes up from the ceiling) to support the floor joist that would be cut short. Like framing an opening for stairs. Like Joe said I'd ask your architect for what they want.

Mlorek · 02-09-2013, 05:43 PM

The architect we used did the basement plans for us but charges a consulting fee for anything further. I'm trying to stay away from another fee. I'll look at framing it like you would a stair opening I did a little looking around on the Internet and found this picture I should be able to run with this. Thanks for the replays guys, if anyone sees a problem with this please let me know.

GBrackins · 02-09-2013, 05:48 PM

looks like two floor joists are over the window frame. Can't tell what the rim joist (if any) is. As longs as the span is not too great a single ply rim should be able to carry the load.

Of course the photo in post #3 appears to go up higher than the photo in post #6

Mlorek · 02-09-2013, 05:59 PM

Thanks Gary, our windows are set so high in the basement that the duct work actually sits at about 1/3 of the way down the windows. In an effort to not have a patchwork grid of soffits we are making two ceiling heights, one at the joists the other at the lowest point of the ductwork. The only problem is that the lower ceiling height if continued all the way to the wall would cut the windows off, thus the need to put the reverse wells in around them. I was just having a hard time visualizing the framing for them, I think that pic in post 6 will help.

12penny · 02-09-2013, 06:55 PM

I guess I'm wondering why you don't just
cover the ductwork and go back up to the
ceiling and forget all that.