AboutRichard Taylor, AIA Expertise Ask me about all aspects of house, remodeling. , and room addition design and construction. Ask me about historic homes, renovation, and restoration. Ask me about materials and techniques, and about how you can get the best value for your design and construction dollar. Ask me how you can make your home a very special place. I can't, however, answer specific structural engineering questions in this forum - that's something you'll need on-site observation for.
Experience I own a five-person residential architectural firm, and have been designing custom homes, remodelings, and room additions across the country since 1983. Check us out at Richard Taylor Architects and RTA Plans. I have written and been published extensively on the subject of residential architecture. .
Organizations American Institute of Architects, City of Dublin Architectural Review Board, Past Editor of SPLASH (a CAD program), Past Editor of Open Directory Project, Boy Scouts of America
Education/Credentials Bachelor of Environmental Design (Architecture) Miami University 1983
For more about home design, check out my blog at Richard Taylor Architects Looking for great Luxury Home House Plans? Try ours at RTA Plans.
Question What is your take on insulation in a true cold roof w' sleepers and 2 layers of plywood in regards to an interior flat ceiling. I know a contractor which is building a house with a Cathedral in the center and flat ceilings on the wings on either side. Also give me your take on the vapor barriers for both when using fiberglass insualtion in both. Both types of ceilings have the cold roof system. This house is being built here in northwest Montana.
Answer Collin - thanks for your question.
I'm not sure I fully understand what you're asking, but here's my "take".
Cold roof construction is a solution to help prevent ice damming in cold climates. It doesn't hurt in flat roofed areas, but it doesn't do a whole lot of good either. What's important is to isolate the cold roof surface from the warm insulated rafter cavities below.
I would guess that in the situation you've mentioned, it's simply easier for the contractor to build the whole thing with a cold roof - even the flat ceiling areas - than to change from one framing system to another when a ceiling is dropped below.
In either case, a vapor barrier should be used on the warm side of the insulation to prevent moisture migration. It's less of a factor in a cold roof, but it's cheap insurance.
Hope this helps,
Richard Taylor, AIA
www.rtastudio.com
www.rtaplans.com
