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Oh it’s almost certainly creating issues by boarding it up, but what’s the point of the structure if it can’t be enjoyed properly? I’m taking this for what it is, a barn/shed and not their primary residence. It’s not worth it to rebuild the whole roof. I’ve been a contractor for 18 years, went to school for it and did some building science so this is very much in my wheelhouse. Between the options of do nothing and have to deal with spiders/cold, or try something and keep an eye out for rot, I say go for the latter

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Insight@lemmy.world ⁨11⁩ ⁨months⁩ ago
Would your recommendation change if I am trying to change it into more of an office/work space. I own a small business and I hope to use the barn/shed as the main work area, it will have things like a laser engraver, computer, various materials used to engrave etc.

I am not doubting your recommendation or anything like that, I am just trying to get a full understanding of the situation and possible consequences or possible cheaper fixes. For example, would something like taking the sheetrock down (see what is behind it) and possibly add some vapor barriers with a thin airgap between the roof and the conditioned space. I guess similar to firring strips?

I guess I was hoping there might be a cheaper alternative to replacing the roof but would still reduce the risk of rot or condensation inside. I guess I could potentially seal up loft making it an unconditioned space and only accessible from the external door in the gable as a fall back if it really concerns me.

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- Wwwbdd@lemmy.world ⁨11⁩ ⁨months⁩ ago
  
  For example, would something like taking the sheetrock down (see what is behind it) and possibly add some vapor barriers with a thin airgap between the roof and the conditioned space. I guess similar to firring strips?
  
  That’s pretty much it. If you’re willing to go to the trouble, remove the wood soffit and replace it with vented, put in a wood fascia, tear out the ceiling from the inside, create an airspace that goes right up to the ridge and vents out the top, then rebuild the ceiling
  
  You want it to go from outside-in: roof deck, ventilation, insulation, vapor barrier, interior finish. How much space you’re willing it lose vs how much insulation and air space is up to you. Again, my experience is building in cold climates, not wet ones
  
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  - Insight@lemmy.world ⁨11⁩ ⁨months⁩ ago
    Here is another picture showing the insulation and how it connects to the grate that I showed in one of the original pictures. I don’t see any rot or anything like that but it’s also never had heat running in it before, which I assume would make things worse. The fact it leads straight to where the insulation with no gap or anything feels all kinds of wrong… Would something like baffles be helpful? I could potentially push them behind the insulation to open a gap between the roof deck and insulation.
    
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    Wwwbdd@lemmy.world ⁨11⁩ ⁨months⁩ ago
    Baffles will do it If you’re willing to do the work, and based on the fact you’re already ripping holes in walls, I guess you might be
    
    Tear out the wall, baffles against the roof deck in each cavity. At the ridge you’ll need ventilation for the air to escape, ridge venting or otherwise. I’d add 2x3s or 2x4s running horizontally on 16s. You could also just lay them all overtop the existing rafters but if you’ve gone to this point you might as well do it horizontal to avoid the thermal bridging. Laying over top is easier to insulate, up to you. Next insulate, then vapor barrier. I’d use acoustic sealant at the perimeter of your vapor barrier, it’s sticky messy stuff but will help immensely with warm air leakage
    
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