My house remodel

[EddieWalker]

Nice looking roof!!!! I can't tell where the chimeneys used to be.

Keep up the good work.

Eddie

 

[Robert_in_NY]

Thanks Eddie, I decided to use BP 40 year shingles. They were about the same price as 30 year elk. They are not my favorites by any stretch but they adhered good and look nice. I don't really see myself living in this house for 40 years but when I am done it should be maintenance free for 20-30 years and the roof should last well as its kind of protected from the elements. I trimmed a lot of limbs while I had the lift so there are no limbs growing towards the house but there are some about 20' above the peak still. So there is a nice balance of sun and shade now.

 

[dcyrilc]

The roof is done now. I have been very busy on the farm and have not had too much time to work on my house. I did rent a 60' lift though to make it easier and had friends and family help do what I can't do anymore. So the chimneys are gone and the new roof is on. It is a nice step as I can now tear both chimneys down through the house and start the rebuilding phase.

I'm curious. I don't see any attic venting. How is the attic vented?

 

[Robert_in_NY]

I'm curious. I don't see any attic venting. How is the attic vented?

I was originally going to go with ridge vent but then talked to the foam insulation guys and they said I won't need any ventilation when they spray the attic. So I am relying on their experience but am easily able to add gable vents if I don't like how it performs.

 

[dcyrilc]

I was originally going to go with ridge vent but then talked to the foam insulation guys and they said I won't need any ventilation when they spray the attic. So I am relying on their experience but am easily able to add gable vents if I don't like how it performs.

That makes sense. I just have it in my mind that an attic has to be able to breathe. I forget about foam. LOL

 

[eepete]

Regarding foam and shingles:

Down here in NC I was told you can't have the attic space sealed with the foam ventilation and have a shingled roof, you have to have a metal roof. I love the totally sealed attic space. When they were putting down the wood floors in the house, we hit 103. Had the AC running for a while before that to get the wood conditioned. The attic was about 80-85 degrees. The 2nd floor living space was at 73 degrees.

Worked for me, the metal roof reflects a lot of heat (which is why they said you can't use shingles down here). Also like the 50 year life, wish I had that much life left in me :laughing:.

So foam is great. Check on shingles with sealed attic space. Big difference in weather between NY and NC, and maybe even the shingle type affects things.

Pete

 

[Robert_in_NY]

Thanks pete, I will check on it. Would it help if I told you there is a metal roof on there still it was an old style metal shingle that laid flat. The deck was in great shape so I water and iced the first 6 feet and all the valleys and shingled over the metal roofing.

Regardless I am going to look up the specs for the foam in attic installations and make sure every thing is ok.

 

[mikefromnh]

I wouldn't trust what the foam guy said about venting. In cold climates many shingle manufacturers require venting or they will void the warranty. Even with foam.

Here in Maine people have tried to skip the attic vents with bad results.

 

[EddieWalker]

From what I understand, when foam is applied to the actual roof, you creat a whole house envelope, no venting it allows. YOU NEVER VENT when applying foam to the roof itself.

The advantage to this is that you are not fighting the extreme heat the develops in the attic space, and having to overcome that heat when cooling. The attic, above the insulation, will easily be 20 degrees warmer then the outside temerature. With foam on the roof, this does not happen, and it's easier to keep that attic cool then to fight the heat that it generates.

If the HVAC unit is placed in the attic, this will also keep the unit cooler and allow it to last longer and work more efficiently.

If you can afford the upfront cost of spray in foam insulation, it's easily the best way to go.

I've never owned a house that has been insulated this way, but I have clients who have done this and they say that it's the only way to go.

Eddie

 

[dave1949]

From what I understand, when foam is applied to the actual roof, you creat a whole house envelope, no venting it allows. YOU NEVER VENT when applying foam to the roof itself.

The advantage to this is that you are not fighting the extreme heat the develops in the attic space, and having to overcome that heat when cooling. The attic, above the insulation, will easily be 20 degrees warmer then the outside temerature. With foam on the roof, this does not happen, and it's easier to keep that attic cool then to fight the heat that it generates.

If the HVAC unit is placed in the attic, this will also keep the unit cooler and allow it to last longer and work more efficiently.

If you can afford the upfront cost of spray in foam insulation, it's easily the best way to go.

I've never owned a house that has been insulated this way, but I have clients who have done this and they say that it's the only way to go.

Eddie

It's definitely something different to get accustomed to. The same applies to unvented crawlspaces which become part of the house envelope. It just doesn't 'sound' right. Time will tell
Dave.