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Hi, again, everyone! Boy, this is one fancy discussion board, now….
I haven’t been in touch for many months – since we moved into the new
place last November – but another construction question has arisen
recently, as we “use” our new abode.
SO! In my plan, I put attic trusses above the garage, my long range
intention being an extra room for…..grandkids, old broads’ slumber
parties, you know, fun(!) stuff. Anyway, my better half is not so
inclined, and so far, it’s ended up a huge (10×32) attic, which he
tells our friends is “my wife’s walk-in closet”. He did work diligently
at putting the floor in and insulating it, and did a skookum job of it.
However, it isn’t going to be “finished” beyond that in the forseeable
future. Meanwhile, I would like to USE this space by putting some of
our exercise equipment up there – NordicTrak, rowing machine, (and yes,
even the weight machine). He’s not so sure these trusses would support
any or all of these………but, if certain “experts” in the field
of home building were to assure him of same, he would give the “go ahead”.
So, I’m asking any and all who would have any thoughts/advice about
this matter to chime in. (While I can’t imagine a problem, I WILL defer
to you experts if you say nix)
Thanks, ahead of time, for any input on this, and thanks, too, for
ALL the great ongoing discussions!
Kris in Alaska
P.S. OK, so I’d be willing to forego the weight machine – but would
really like to at least have NordicTrak and rowing machine……
Replies
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"Skookum" eh? Haven't heard that term in awhile. At any rate don't miss talking to the folks at the truss plant. They can give you the real lowdown on just how much you can put in there. After all no one on this board can actually see those locally produced trusses and give you more than an educated guess.
Having said that, you have the typical Alaskan house, Almost Done. Bet it is that way for the next ??? years. In the meantime bet you could put just about anything you want in there with no problems. Trusses are generally so overdesigned that they will stand a lot of stress once installed.
I would still check with the truss builder or designer though.
*Kris - If you used pre-manufactured attic trusses, they're typically designed for 30 or 40 pounds per square foot of live load. The company who sold you the trusses should be able to give you that info. I doubt a little excercise equipment would overload your trusses.
*Kris, do you read alot of books? and if you do are they still in boxes, and if they are were you going to unpack them to a bookshelf or store them in the rafters as well ? First it's the rowing machine then the weights, then the bowling balls, then the snow tires, then camping gear , and china your saving for the kids, Pretty soon you wonder why the roof is sagging in the middle, or why you didn't build a bigger house. Snow loads might be a consideration for your area as well, I think I would recommend some posts and beams under that floor to bang your car doors into because a dent is cheaper to fix than a roof replacement. :-)
*Roofing Options for Low Pitch RoofsI will be purchasing an old, Victorian style home in about a month or so. The house has a wrap-around front porch and a couple of first floor bay window type extensions with very low pitch roofs in need of re surfacing..Any suggestions on optional materials that may be installed would be appreciated. I don't want to use the ugly roll-roofing that is presently in place, or one-piece rubber, but can't really think of any options. Has anyone ever installed 3-tab asphalt shingles on low pitch roofs by manually sealing all tabs with lexonite or similar product? What would they have originally used in 1910 when the home was built?Thanks for any help.John Coelho
*John, step one..start a new thread instead of hijacking one. Step two...how low is the low pitch. Most 3-tabs are warrented down to 3/12. Laminated some recommend 3/12, others say 2.5/12 ok. Owens Corning OK'd a 2/12 with ice guard over the whole deck. Plan on venting if ice guarding the whole deck. How's about a nice copper or painted metal of one type or another? Jeff
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Hi, again, everyone! Boy, this is one fancy discussion board, now....
I haven't been in touch for many months - since we moved into the new
place last November - but another construction question has arisen
recently, as we "use" our new abode.
SO! In my plan, I put attic trusses above the garage, my long range
intention being an extra room for.....grandkids, old broads' slumber
parties, you know, fun(!) stuff. Anyway, my better half is not so
inclined, and so far, it's ended up a huge (10x32) attic, which he
tells our friends is "my wife's walk-in closet". He did work diligently
at putting the floor in and insulating it, and did a skookum job of it.
However, it isn't going to be "finished" beyond that in the forseeable
future. Meanwhile, I would like to USE this space by putting some of
our exercise equipment up there - NordicTrak, rowing machine, (and yes,
even the weight machine). He's not so sure these trusses would support
any or all of these.........but, if certain "experts" in the field
of home building were to assure him of same, he would give the "go ahead".
So, I'm asking any and all who would have any thoughts/advice about
this matter to chime in. (While I can't imagine a problem, I WILL defer
to you experts if you say nix)
Thanks, ahead of time, for any input on this, and thanks, too, for
ALL the great ongoing discussions!
Kris in Alaska
P.S. OK, so I'd be willing to forego the weight machine - but would
really like to at least have NordicTrak and rowing machine......