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Showing posts with label Attic Ventilation. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Attic Ventilation. Show all posts

11.06.2013

Ensuring Success StLouis Small Biz Energy Efficiency Design Build Project

In todays day and age of small business enterprises I rarely find that a local St Louis area small business is actually thriving.  And when I learned that this successful small business needs to expand to meet the needs of her growing business I was more than happy to assist her in making her business a continued success by utilizing proven advanced energy efficient construction techniques for this Attic Conversion.

"Proper Design Build Energy Conservation Techniques used in this project will ensure that this business owner will keep the energy costs low and comfort levels high-Scotty,Scotts Contracting"

Here is behind the scene work on the Design Build Energy Efficiency-Attic Conversion and the Small Business Customer Must Haves for the project and how I am going to convert the unused attic space into a functional and energy efficient design build project that meets and exceeds the clients requests


Here are the clients Must Haves:
  • Energy Efficient Design (part1)
  • Open Floor Plan (part 2)
  • Kid Sized Plumbing Fixtures located in the Bathroom (part 3)
  • 1 Sink located outside the Bathroom with Extra Counter-space (part 3)
  • Flooring options require materials that do not transfer sound and are easy clean up (part 4)
  • No Harmful VOC Building Products (part 4)
  • Cost Effective (part 4)
  • Financing this Small Business Success Story Design Build Project (part 5)

Designing for Energy Efficiency
Since this project will be in the top floor of a two story building special attention was given to ensure that proper levels of insulation are utilized as well as eliminating air leakage.  


Here is a CAD drawing of the planned Ceiling and modifying the existing Roof Construction that addresses building code requirements for energy efficient design and construction.

Three Main Aspects: Natural Air Flow, R49 Ceiling Insulation, and Air Tight Electrical Junction Box Covers
Three Main Aspects of proper ceiling construction for energy efficiency: (1)Natural Air Flow, (2) R49 Ceiling Insulation, and (3) AirTight Electrical Junction Box Covers

CAD Detail cutaway view of the above Energy Efficient design calling out not only the proper ceiling construction with insulation and air barrier added to the Attic Knee Walls and Dead Space
CAD Detail-Energy Efficient Ceiling and Wall Construction by Scotty-Scotts Contracting
CAD Detail-Energy Efficient Ceiling and Wall Construction by Scotty-Scotts Contracting
In the above photos you see that Natural Air Flow is mentioned numerous times.  The importance of natural air flow-is not only suggested it is required by the new building codes that are slowly being adopted and utilized in today's energy efficient building designs.

What gets me is that why some builders leave out this crucial step.  Its not a new concept and one that I learned in my first year of Drafting classes in 1989 while designing my final year Residential Home Drafting Project.  

What this natural air flow does is keep the upstairs cooler in the summer and is needed to assist in eliminating ice dams during the winter.

Rule of Thumb for determining this natural air flow from eve to roof peak is: 1 square inch for every square foot of space.  

This 1 square inch is then divided equally in half between the top and bottom of the building.  In the case of this building we will be using: Soffit Vent as well as Roof Peak Vent and to ensure there is unobstructed air travel Air Baffles will be utilized in the areas where the insulation contacts the underside of the roof.

Never let a Building Contractor neglect this important step in any of your building projects.

Stay Tuned for Part 2 of the Design process where I address the open floor plan.











Thank you for stopping by St Louis Renewable Energy. Feel free to comment in the section below or contact Scotts Contracting- St Louis Home Improvement Projects and Energy Reducing Needs Get Your Green Building Tips and Resources at St Louis Renewable Energy Green Blog

11.02.2013

#DesignBuild Energy Efficiency-Attic Conversion

My next Design Build Project will be converting this unused attic into Energy Efficient and usable 2nd Floor Space.   

We will be performing major Energy Conservation Build Techniques as well as using Advanced FramingMethods on this Green Build Project 

Upon completing we will have the following RValues: R19+ in the wall, R49 Attic, R13+ in the Floor. 

My plans also call for Air Tight Electrical Junction Box Covers in the Attic as well as 6mil Poly Air Barrier for the Interior Walls. 

Stay Tuned for more project photos as well as otherCAD Drafting details by Scotty-Scotts Contracting . 

Build Green Scotty! 


#DesignBuild   #EnergyConservation  #AdvancedFramingTechniques   #RValue  #CADDrafting 

CAD DesignBuild Attic Conversion Project Drawings and Before Pics
See more of the CAD Drawings for this Energy Efficient Attic Conversion at the link below





















Thank you for stopping by St Louis Renewable Energy. Feel free to comment in the section below or contact Scotts Contracting- St Louis Home Improvement Projects and Energy Reducing Needs Get Your Green Building Tips and Resources at St Louis Renewable Energy Green Blog

1.05.2013

ICE Dam Prevention

Ice Dam Prevention for Homes and Business is a simple process to correct and prevent.  Scotts Contracting recommends installing a Ridge Vent and Soffit Vents to prevent Ice Dams.
"I feel that Ridge Vents-when coupled with Soffit Vents are one of the Greatest Energy Efficient Building Materials on the Market today to prevent Ice Dams". Scotty-Scotts Contracting, St Louis Renewable Energy

In a cold climate, the primary purpose of ventilation is to maintain a cold roof temperature to avoid ice dams created by melting snow and to vent any moisture that moves from the conditioned living space to the attic.

"So much information has been devoted to the subject of roof venting that it's easy to become confused and to lose focus. So I'll start by saying something that might sound controversial, but really isn't: A vented attic, where insulation is placed on an air-sealed attic floor, is one of the most underappreciated building assemblies that we have in the history of building science. It's hard to screw up this approach. A vented attic works in hot climates, mixed climates, and cold climates. It works in the Arctic and in the Amazon. It works absolutely everywhere—when executed properly.[ http://stlouisrenewableenergy.blogspot.com/2011/08/roof-venting-and-its-importance-for.html ]"


In the Proceeding Post Green Builder-Scotts Contracting,St Louis Renewable Energy posted: Why is there ICE in my Attic and where did it come from?  The following CAD Drawing by Scotts Contracting shows how ice dams are prevented.

Ice Dam Prevention with Soffit Vents

Ice Dam Prevention with Ridge Vents



Thank you for stopping by St Louis Renewable Energy. Feel free to comment in the section below or contact Scotts Contracting- St Louis Home Improvement Projects and Energy Reducing Needs Get Your Green Building Tips and Resources at St Louis Renewable Energy Green Blog

1.01.2013

Why is there ICE in my Attic and where did it come from?


  • Ice Dams are created when the Hot Moist Air Rises from the Interior of the Building.  
  • Any snow built up on the roof will now also thaw and refreeze at the gutter area and build up eventually working its way under the shingles and into the home.

  • As the Hot Moist Air Rises into the Attic and meets the Roof Framing System.  Condensation Occurs on the Cold Framing Members consisting of: Rafters, Roof Trusses, Roof Decking

  • As the Condensation Cools the Moisture in the Air Freezes on the Roof System and is why venting the attic is suggested.


Ice Dams1-CAD Drawing by Scotts Contracting
Example 1 of how Ice Dams Form in the Attic 

Ice Dams-CAD Drawing by Scotts Contracting
Example 2 of How Ice Dams Form in the Attic
Read how Ice Dams are Prevented in upcoming Blog Post or 
view prior Green Blog Posts on Attic and Attic Insulation

Oct 25, 2010
The construction industry's leading researcher explains why what we think is true often isn't, and how some of our best hunches, based on observation of field performance, have paid off with problem-free attic assemblies. by William B. Rose ...
Jul 19, 2010
-Attic Insulation-I've put a little information to help assist in explaining 'Attic Insulation for a Home'. I take a whole house approach to improve a Home's Energy Reduction Needs. The Attic Area and Attic insulation being just ...
Aug 27, 2011
Attic Insulation. - Proper Insulation Levels in your Attic coupled with Ventilation will save you Money on your Energy Bills. Certified Insulation Installer for: Batt Type, Spray Foam, Loose Fill-. Green and Eco Friendly options are always available.

Nov 27, 2010
Lack of Insulation In the Attic; Air Infiltration from the Interior of the House into the Attic Area; Uninsulated Heating Ducts inside the Attic. Scotts Contracting can Inspect your Attic for Proper: Insulation Levels; Adequate Ventilation; Uninsulated ...
Jul 03, 2011
Attic Insulation-I've put a little information to explain Attic Insulation for a Home. It takes a whole house approach to Reduce a Home's Energy Needs. The Attic Area and Attic insulation being just one area. When Combined with a Green ...
Mar 27, 2011
Snow on Roof-Opportunity to Check Insulation Level. This last snow we received yesterday is the perfect opportunity to see if your attic is properly insulated. Take a look at the Roof of your Home. -Lack of Snow on your Roof is a sure indication ...
Oct 19, 2011
With my Preliminary Figures using a Guesstimate ($400) on your current Energy Bill and using the Dept of Energy's Estimate of 20% Savings for attic retrofits. I've determined that by Sealing your Air Leaks and Adding Insulation to the Attic the ...


Thank you for stopping by St Louis Renewable Energy. Feel free to comment in the section below or contact Scotts Contracting- St Louis Home Improvement Projects and Energy Reducing Needs Get Your Green Building Tips and Resources at St Louis Renewable Energy Green Blog

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