Learning, Sharing, and Teaching > Do it Yourself Discussion!
Stupid Idea of the week: Replacing Rafters With Trusses
Jon Bon:
So I live in a smaller 2 story house, my spouse and I had talked about adding on, as sharing the bathroom with all the kids would eventually get old. Our plan was for a small 2 story addition to the back of the house. I met with a builder and promptly did a spit take: between 150-250 THOUSAND dollars. Now mind you I only paid $225k for the house and the land is probably worth 150k alone.
Recently I have become mildly obsessed with roof trusses. They hold so much weight, and are so small, and (relatively) cheap!
So here is my crazy ass plan I have a 24x24 2 story house. Would it be completely bat shit crazy to tear off my existing stick framed rafters and replace them with 12/12 trusses with an attic room? Back of the napkin math would give me a room that is 12x24 feet, which would be plenty huge for a bed, bath, and office.
The roof needs to be replaced in the next 5 years and it would obviously save us money on not digging a new foundation. For arguments sake assume there are no engineering issues and the home can support the extra weight.
Anyone done anything like this? Is this a completely stupid plan or a somewhat cost effective way to gain extra space? I'd appreciate any feedback!
Paging Mr. Paddedhat!
Papa bear:
Sometimes, just sometimes, I think you may be crazier than me.
I'll ask it. Does your local city allow for new construction living space on the 3rd floor? Are you zoned for that?
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Jon Bon:
--- Quote from: Papa bear on October 09, 2017, 05:10:33 PM ---Sometimes, just sometimes, I think you may be crazier than me.
I'll ask it. Does your local city allow for new construction living space on the 3rd floor? Are you zoned for that?
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--- End quote ---
I mean I did phrase it "Stupid idea of the week" :-)
Well there was a new home just completed in the last 18 months or so with a 3rd floor suite. I assume they allow it to keep the houses footprint smaller on the smaller lots.
So lets just say city approval achievable.
Maybe the theme of this is "Just because you can do something does not mean that you should?"
Lulee:
Looking forward to PaddedHat and other wise folks responses. My mind wonders though, is there any way to see if the foundation system can support another level of living space? And does having a new profile to the outside do anything to the building's ability to withstand high winds and tornados? Cost-wise, would a reconfiguration of existing space be cheaper?
terran:
Is there a particular truss design that you're looking at that would allow this? Trusses usually have webbing throughout which is what gives them their high strength with little material. If you want useable space "inside" the roof you're usually better off with rafters as there's no webbing to get in the way.
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