Why Do People Build Attics

I have seen attics so filled with items on my home inspections that i could hardly move through the attic space.

Why do people build attics.

Intake vents located at the lowest part of the roof under the eaves allow cool. Squirrels will also chew corners of trim or any weak area that gives them access to a shelter. It s important that the attic be properly insulated vented and sealed from the main part of the house. In a way you could think of the attic as wasted space inside your building envelope so why do we need one.

Some custom homes that utilize heavy timber or glu lam beams to create the attic space would do a lot better in a fire. And this is for a number of. But they are awfully good to have. Attics are a top pick when homeowners decide to gain some extra storage or add a guest room but not all attic flooring structures are up to the task of supporting the weight of a new living space.

The percent of homes north of the mason dixon line with basements is close to 90. Attics need to be properly insulated. At the bottom points of the triangles the rafters meet the top plates of the exterior walls. In the sandy soil compositions found in states from maryland to florida and as far out west as california many homes were never built with basements.

A pitched roof with two sides sloping down from a ridge is useful in climates with rain and snow. An attic may also be called a sky parlor or a garret because attics fill the space between the ceiling of the top floor of a building and the slanted roof they are known for being awkwardly shaped spaces with exposed rafters and difficult to reach corners. The roof would push out on the walls under snow load or perhaps wind and the structure might collapse unless that outward thrust is counteracted. They gain access to attics by chewing holes above gutters or at construction gaps where dormers meet the roofline.

Unfortunately people want cheap and fast attic spaces and trusses are used in 95 of residential builds. I have noticed energy efficiency problems with homes that do not have attics which can be fixed. The attic is an important part of your house but if it s not properly designed or maintained any number of problems particularly with ice buildup and water damage can occur. If your attic space is framed with rafters and is unfinished it has a triangular shape.

They are replaced in southern states with outdoor storage sheds and attic storage. Knee walls are not found in all attics and they are not absolutely necessary. Attic ventilation works on the principle that heated air naturally rises primarily utilizing two types of vents.