Small old house in seattle, built before 1910. Single floor with a full attic. True sized 2x4 rafters with 4" of fiberglass batt stuffed between them. Above the rafters is lathe, 3/8" plywood sheet, then the composite shingles.
Due for new roof in next few years and I'm wondering what my options are to improve the insulation from its current R15. Yes I've thoroughly taped and insulated the inside of the soffits.
Reading a lot about modern roof insulation and have been really impressed by the modern insulation systems described on the buildingscience website.
Roughly estimate that upgrading the roof and structure past R50 would add 2200lbs to the 1350sqft roof, now trying to figure out how to proceed.
I imagine I need an engineering survey of the existing building, then design plans with an engineering stamp.
I met with a quality roofer he was familiar with what was needed but that adding that weight would certainly require an engineering stamp on an engineered design.
I've since called around to roofers and engineering firms and can't seem to find anyone that will give an existing house a colonoscopy. Does anyone know what this service is called?
I need to ascertain if current walls and foundation can support the additional weight and I need someone to engineer the new roof and tie it to the walls, perhaps resting over the old one.
My fallback is to leave everything alone and install another cheap roof, but I'd kick myself if a better result was possible.
Questions:
- Anyone gone through this process? Similar analysis and decided it was impossible?
- What is the searchable name of a home 'engineering survey'? Does this process even exist?
Thanks!
Due for new roof in next few years and I'm wondering what my options are to improve the insulation from its current R15. Yes I've thoroughly taped and insulated the inside of the soffits.
Reading a lot about modern roof insulation and have been really impressed by the modern insulation systems described on the buildingscience website.
Roughly estimate that upgrading the roof and structure past R50 would add 2200lbs to the 1350sqft roof, now trying to figure out how to proceed.
I imagine I need an engineering survey of the existing building, then design plans with an engineering stamp.
I met with a quality roofer he was familiar with what was needed but that adding that weight would certainly require an engineering stamp on an engineered design.
I've since called around to roofers and engineering firms and can't seem to find anyone that will give an existing house a colonoscopy. Does anyone know what this service is called?
I need to ascertain if current walls and foundation can support the additional weight and I need someone to engineer the new roof and tie it to the walls, perhaps resting over the old one.
My fallback is to leave everything alone and install another cheap roof, but I'd kick myself if a better result was possible.
Questions:
- Anyone gone through this process? Similar analysis and decided it was impossible?
- What is the searchable name of a home 'engineering survey'? Does this process even exist?
Thanks!
Statistics: Posted by eri — Sun Feb 16, 2025 8:32 pm