Master Brian
DIY Senior Member
I have been wanting to insulate and finish off part of my attic to make it into a finished storage/closet area.
Basically, part of this area is over living space, part is over my front porch. The portion over living space has cellulose and other blown in material in what will become the floor of the finished space. I am guessing there is no harm in just covering that up with flooring, am I correct? The floor/ceiling joist shouldn't be a problem supporting the use as it is done exactly the same as the rest of the 2nd floor.
The roof is a gable roof on a 1915 craftsman bungalow, if that gives clue to framing. There are no center beams or webs in the "truss" structure, just the bottom joist, the rafter and a very short collar tie at the top of the joist. The plan for the finish is 3/4", or similar, subfloor, then carpet or wood floor over that. I will be building a knee wall around the outside edge and building shelving/drawers into that. I will probably wainscot (sp?) the wall with cedar chip board and leave the unfinished. Then the upper portion and ceiling finish is unknown at this point. Maybe a thin, painted panel, or a thin layer of drywall. I am trying to keep weight to a minimum.
The question is, is it ok to insulate the rafters with craft faced fiberglass batting, with the batting next to the roof decking and the craft facing against the drywall or panel or not? I've been told attics need to vent, but if I turn it into "living" space does that still hold true? What's the difference, if any, from me doing this and from someone having a vaulted ceiling?
Basically, part of this area is over living space, part is over my front porch. The portion over living space has cellulose and other blown in material in what will become the floor of the finished space. I am guessing there is no harm in just covering that up with flooring, am I correct? The floor/ceiling joist shouldn't be a problem supporting the use as it is done exactly the same as the rest of the 2nd floor.
The roof is a gable roof on a 1915 craftsman bungalow, if that gives clue to framing. There are no center beams or webs in the "truss" structure, just the bottom joist, the rafter and a very short collar tie at the top of the joist. The plan for the finish is 3/4", or similar, subfloor, then carpet or wood floor over that. I will be building a knee wall around the outside edge and building shelving/drawers into that. I will probably wainscot (sp?) the wall with cedar chip board and leave the unfinished. Then the upper portion and ceiling finish is unknown at this point. Maybe a thin, painted panel, or a thin layer of drywall. I am trying to keep weight to a minimum.
The question is, is it ok to insulate the rafters with craft faced fiberglass batting, with the batting next to the roof decking and the craft facing against the drywall or panel or not? I've been told attics need to vent, but if I turn it into "living" space does that still hold true? What's the difference, if any, from me doing this and from someone having a vaulted ceiling?