Gross floor area GFA
The area of a building can be measured in a number of different ways, and it is very important to be clear about which measure is being used, for example in property sales, planning applications, building regulations applications, lease negotiations, rating valuations and so on.
The term 'gross floor area' (GFA) is a very confusing one that has different meanings around the world, and even within some countries.
Part L of the UK building regulations suggest that it is equivalent to the total useful floor area (TUFA), which is the '...total area of all enclosed spaces measured to the internal face of the external walls.'
However, in may countries gross floor area is taken to be the total enclosed space including the external walls.
For this reason it is clearer to use the terms:
- Gross internal area: The enclosed area of a building within the external walls taking each floor into account but excluding the thickness of the external walls.
- Gross external area: The whole area of the building, including external walls.
Precise definitions for the accurate measurement of buildings are set out by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors in the RICS Code of Measuring Practice.
[edit] Find out more
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings Wiki
- Beneficial occupation.
- Case notes for rating valuation (Garton V Hunter).
- Choice of method for rating valuation.
- Contractor’s basis for rating valuation.
- Gross external area.
- Gross internal area.
- New rules of measurement.
- Net internal area.
- Profits method of rating valuation.
- Rating valuation.
- Rental method of rating valuation.
- Statutory formulae for rating valuation.
- Super-slender.
- Total useful floor area.
Featured articles and news
Grouting refers to the injection of materials into a soil or rock formation to change its physical characteristics.
Part of Designing Buildings Wiki, BREEAM Wiki will advance knowledge sharing for the BRE family of sustainability tools.
Iron, glass and wood underfoot
From the decorative to the utilitarian, and from the photographed to the forgotten.
New BRE book considers the progression from project-based knowledge creation to whole-life urban knowledge management.
This CIOB article explores the concept of value in building design and construction.
BREEAM and Measurabl announce integration to improve the financial performance of commercial real estate.
Rogers Stirk Harbour + Partners' release new images of soon-to-open 3WTC tower in New York.
A document can be called a bond or a guarantee. Does the name matter and what is the difference between them?
New briefing note is launched focusing on increasing knowledge of housing that promotes health and wellbeing.
Arbitration is a private, contractual form of dispute resolution used in the construction industry.
The European Parliament has approved a revised Energy Performance of Buildings directive.
One in six MPs supports the ring-fencing of retentions as proposed in the 'Aldous Bill'.