I am considering doing a renovation in an attic. It will be made into a storage/game room. The roof is 8′ high in the middle. There are gable-end vents only. The renovation will be only in the center of the attic, so because of the shape of the rooflines, one vent will go away, and one vent will stay. On the renovated portion, I will insulate (with batts) the underside of the roof, and build knee walls along the edges. My question is, what kind, if any, extra ventilation should I add,and what happens when you turn a ventilated attic (or a portion of it) into conditioned space? I can add soffit vents (which it probably needs anyway) but a ridge vent might not be desirable. I should mention that the project is in Northern California, so we never have ice issues. Also, should I ventilate the insulation cavity between the roof and what will become in effect a cathedral ceiling, and if so, why? Thank you in advance for any assistance. Adriel
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Replies
Normal attic reno would be to install the insulation on any FLAT part of a ceiling you create ... leaving the gable end vents to vent above. You would normall also have eave vents and a space above any insulation you install in rafters where your cathedral/vaulted ceiling is so air flow can be from low at the eaves to high at the gable ends.
Insulation would run across the flat high ceiling, down the slope, down the wall and across the low ceiling. The ventilation is generally a code requirement to control moisture.
Why are you opposed to a ridge vent? You usually can't even tell they are there.
As long as you are doing it ... don't forget to seal holes in the attic areas to minimize air leaks.
Thanks for your reply. My only concern with a ridge vent is the cost and hassle to install. I am under the inpression that the roof will need to be redone in order to install one. Am I correct?
I am under the inpression that the roof will need to be redone in order to install one. Am I correct?
The roof won't have to be redone, the ridge cap will however.
You need to take off the cap, cut back the top row of shingle a couple inches from the center of the ridge, cut the sheeting to allow air movement. Install the new ridge vent, re-cap with shingles.
Please take measurements of the new ridge vent b/4 you start out with this if you do it. Don't cut it back enough, it won't work. Cut it too much and you won't cover.
>>It will be made into a storage/game room. The roof is 8' high in the middle.
Unless it's darned near flat, I'd guess that about the only game you'll be able to play is tug of war....