Pilotis (open ground floor)

A pilotis is the ground floor of a block of flats left open on columns. It is very common in Greek cities, mostly for parking or as the entrance.

The pilotis ceiling is the floor of the first-floor flat. Because there is open air underneath, the flat above loses heat through its floor in winter and is warmed from below in summer. InsulatingThermal insulationA layer of material that lets heat through only slowly, so a home keeps its warmth in winter and stays cool in summer. that ceiling, with spray polyurethane foamSpray polyurethane foamA foam sprayed on as a liquid that expands on the spot and sets into one seamless layer. It insulates against heat and cold and closes cracks and joints. or insulation boardsExternal wall insulation (ETICS)An external insulation system: insulation boards are glued and fixed to the outside walls, then covered with reinforced render and a finishing coat., makes a noticeable difference to comfort.

The pilotis is a shared space, so work there usually needs the agreement of the building's owners. Its columns are part of the building's load-bearingLoad-bearing wallA wall that carries part of the building's weight, such as floors, beams or the storeys above. It must not be removed or opened up without an engineer's design and the required permit. structure and must not be cut or drilled without an engineer. Before insulating, light fittings, pipes and cables on the ceiling are protected or moved.