Replies

1. 
   mallardmillwork | Jul 20, 2006 12:26am | #1

   Your boss sounds right. I would use a soffit vent in conjuntion with ridge vents. You need to put baffles between the rafters before insulating, though, so that the air can convect between the two vents. Also, what size are your rafters? You may need to sister/furr them out to give you room for the baffles + r-30 (or whatever you need in your area).

1. 
   stally | Jul 20, 2006 08:33pm | #2

   thank you for the advice and I am proceeding along.  I have finished basements but never an attic and was not aware ( and stil am not) of the various ins and outs but I am learning.  I have to start somewhere and this forum is a great place to start.

2. 
   Dave45 | Jul 20, 2006 09:06pm | #3

   Stally -

   I hope someone has made sure that the attic floor will be strong enough to use as occupied space.

   I occasionally see sagging ceilings because the ceiling joists aren't big enough to handle the added loads.  It can also happen when attics are used for storage.  A few boxes of books, grandma's china, a horseshoe or anvil collection can overload the joists in a hurry.

1. 
   stally | Jul 20, 2006 10:07pm | #4

   Good point, I will review that angle.  The house is three years old and the part of the attic getting refinished is over the garage.  The owners are getting a new roof as a result of hail damage and are putting a rigde vent in with the new roof.

   Thank you

1. 
   Dave45 | Jul 20, 2006 11:13pm | #5

   The area over the garage can be the worst place to add loads to.  Joists are usually spanning 18' - 20' and adding even small amounts of weight can put them over their limit.

   Is this job permitted?  If it is, you may be fine.  If it isn't, make sure that you aren't holding the shi!!y end of the stick as far as being responsible for the design.  

   You say that the house is only three years old so I wonder if the roof is supported by engineered trusses.  If it is, run (don't walk) away until you have a design signed off by a structural engineer.  Randomly cutting away parts of engineered trusses is a major no-no. - lol

3. 
   reinvent | Jul 21, 2006 01:14am | #6

   Load bearing issues aside. I say foam the roof and skip the venting aka a hot roof. Codes may vary.