Finally starting an addition on our shed

   / Finally starting an addition on our shed #51  
The connection of the 2nd floor to the existing building is also going to allow us to create an attic area over the existing building to house a/c ducts so we can go ahead and install central air. These window units are killing us on the power bill.

Considering the footprint of your addition, you should seriously consider mini-split units.
They are even over SEER 20 and affordable.
They use FAR less electricity per BTU than any central air system.
 
   / Finally starting an addition on our shed
  • Thread Starter
#52  
Considering the footprint of your addition, you should seriously consider mini-split units.
They are even over SEER 20 and affordable.
They use FAR less electricity per BTU than any central air system.
I did consider mini split and there are a few reasons why I don't want to go that route. First is that I'd need at least 5 heads to get the whole place covered and that would not include bathrooms, where I do want vents. That means at least 2 units and they're more expensive up front, although the self install aspect can help with that. My biggest objection to them though, is the fan noise. That's one of the things I hate about the window units and while the mini split does eliminate the compressor noise in the room, the head unit still gives the fan noise and takes up wall space. I want quiet and not taking up space on the walls anymore, our vertical space is really at a premium.

I've run the numbers and will probably only go with a 16 SEER central air, above that and the payback period gets so long for the increased initial cost as to not be worth it. The only thing "special" that we're going to do is zone the master so my wife can turn it down to 64 at night without having to cool the whole house to that level.

I can get a 3.5 ton 16 SEER split heatpump with 100kw heat strip for about $2400, plus another $800-$1000 for installation. Duct work and startup is outside my skill set.
 
   / Finally starting an addition on our shed #53  
I did consider mini split and there are a few reasons why I don't want to go that route. First is that I'd need at least 5 heads to get the whole place covered and that would not include bathrooms, where I do want vents. That means at least 2 units and they're more expensive up front, although the self install aspect can help with that. My biggest objection to them though, is the fan noise. That's one of the things I hate about the window units and while the mini split does eliminate the compressor noise in the room, the head unit still gives the fan noise and takes up wall space. I want quiet and not taking up space on the walls anymore, our vertical space is really at a premium.

I've run the numbers and will probably only go with a 16 SEER central air, above that and the payback period gets so long for the increased initial cost as to not be worth it. The only thing "special" that we're going to do is zone the master so my wife can turn it down to 64 at night without having to cool the whole house to that level.

I can get a 3.5 ton 16 SEER split heatpump with 100kw heat strip for about $2400, plus another $800-$1000 for installation. Duct work and startup is outside my skill set.

STx, I hear you on the AC decision and can appreciate the upfront costs.

I kow this was not a determining factor, but the head on my mini split is much quieter than my central HVAC system. I can't say that this is true for all units--I have a Mr Slim unit for my home office and I can never hear it run.
 
   / Finally starting an addition on our shed
  • Thread Starter
#54  
Made a little progress over the weekend. With just 2 of us, it was a challenge getting the 2x12x20 joists into place, the tractor definitely earned it's keep. Second floor is framed and decked, today we're working on the exterior walls.

I'm not super excited about getting the ceiling and roof framed, I'll probably go ahead and buy some scaffolding for that and the siding, I know it'll come in handy in the future.

Eddie, I didn't do a lot of blocking in the floor joists, mostly on the edges, the furthest being about 10' apart. Would you recommend more than that? It feels solid but adding more now is pretty trivial.
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   / Finally starting an addition on our shed #55  
Blocking should be in the middle of the span, and the boards used for blocking should be the same height as the joists. They should be installed vertical, like the joists are, to be effective.

Give that your spans are so short, I don't see any need for blocking.

If I was doing it, I would double up your joist that you have your joist hangers attached to, and then put a header over that window in the last picture.
 
   / Finally starting an addition on our shed
  • Thread Starter
#56  
Thanks. The joist they're attached to is 9' 6" span where they're attached, it's a full 20' 2x12. I can easily sister in a piece on that span.

I used 2x12 for the joists to give me plenty of room for ducting. In theory, I should've been good to a 16' span, if I read the tables correctly.

I was probably going to put a header on that window, just hadn't gotten there yet.
 
   / Finally starting an addition on our shed
  • Thread Starter
#57  
Today's progress.
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   / Finally starting an addition on our shed #58  
I didn't notice this before, but where are you jack studs for your headers?

I like to put my temporary diagonal bracing on the inside of the wall so I can leave them in place when I put my OSB on the outsides of the wall.

That's a great view!!!
 
   / Finally starting an addition on our shed
  • Thread Starter
#59  
First time I've ever heard of a jack stud. Nobody taught me any of this, I've figured things out on my own from observation. Oh well, better to make mistakes on this than the real house...lol. It's too late to fix the windows that are done without taking the walls apart. I'll put them in the remaining windows though, thanks for pointing it out.
 
   / Finally starting an addition on our shed #60  
But now your windows will be narrower.
 

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