Will finishing my attic cause the roof to cave in?

[OddDuck]

Hello. First time homeowner, first time attic renovator, and first time poster. :)

I have a low attic (6'5" at the apex) that I wish to build a playroom for my kids. The only thing up there would be a couple of bean bags, a toy chest, the inevitable video game machine, and lots of double-padded carpet. This room would take up about 1/3 of the attic space.

I have a few (hopefully) basic questions that perhaps some of you could answer. The roof is constructed with "real" 2x4's, spaced 24" apart. There is a little wall on both sides, about 60" from the end that look to hold up the roof. There are also several vents on the roof. I would like to simply put insulation behind these little walls, and then sheet rock them.

What I am worried about is the roof. If I put insulation up there, I would be covering up the little vents. Is this a problem? Also, since there is only 4" of space for insulation, what is available that will insulation from cold, sometimes -10deg days in the winter? Also, if I put sheet rock on the ceiling, would the added weight cause the roof to bow? Is this a feasible project? Thanks for your help.

[majakdragon]

First, before you start spending money, have the roof checked to find the answer about how much it will support. We don't know the condition of the wood or how it was constructed so there is no way to just say "sure go ahead" I would use the fiberglass panels where you have the roof vents. They allow a 1/2 inch air space to hold the insulation away from the vents so they are operational. They are inexpensive. Good luck with your project.

[Ed Imeduc]

Lets forget the roof here for now. What do you have for the ceiling rafters . Thats what we have to look at for a load to go up there. Now there is insulation down there. like how much? should have about 12" there. 2X4 roof rafters and vents. Now thats so the attic can vent summer and winter .You need 1 sq ft for every 150 sq ft of attic 1/2 in and 1/2 out .You cant close them off and you cant put insulation up in there so it touches the roof. then like said you have to put the foam vents in each rafter then the insulation. Now each one dont have a vent .So you have to put up a ridge vent on the whole roof ridge.
So Id say yes forget it . Hey can you put the kids down in the basement. It would work better.
My .02 cents

ED ;)

[OddDuck]

Thanks for the responses. The ceiling rafters are 7.5"x1.5", and are spaced every 17". They don't span the entire width of the house, but are met in the middle at a load wall that runs the entire length of the ground floor. I am not too concerned with the load of the ceiling as the previous ownwer had litterally tons (in weight, not area) of junk stored up there. Everything from an old volkswagen engine to a freezer (still in use, with one hamburger patty in it!--- no I didn't eat it!) There is cellulose insulation up there that is 9" deep

Back to the vents, the roof didn't have vents when I moved in, but when I tore off the cedar shingles (2 layers worth) and went to asphault shingles last summer, I put in 8 vents per gable section. Originally, there were only two very large vents (5'x5') facing east and west on the cross gable, and just regular windows north and south. Where the two gables meet, there are timbers (~10" diamter) that brace everthing in an X pattern. I would be building this play room in the southern section, building a wall where the cross gable intersects (where the timber begins).

[homebild]

No one can give you any type of sensible answer without knowing your snow or wind loads or total spans....and without considering that most modern building codes will not allow you to build any kind of habitable space without having at least a 7' ceiling clearance.

From what you describe you cannot do any of what you wish according to code and make the living space legal or safe.

You only proper answer can come form local code professionals who can actually view and assess your house and make proper recommendations.

What you'll get here is largely codswollop.

Ask your local code enforcement office professionals.

[OddDuck]

My local code requires a 7' clearance for 60% of the area for living areas. However, there is a recreational allowance that would be suitable for a children's playroom (kind of like an indoor tree house).

Anyway, I understand what you are saying and will definately consult a professional before proceeding. I just really need to know about this kind of thing so I don't get taken by someone who might be not so professional.