flightcrazed

Genuis! Thanks for the reply! Yep, "existing" meaning by the time I go to pour concrete it would be existing.

Hi all, I'm designing an RCA barn and wanting to design the floors/walls to allow for a future 4" concrete floor sitting on top of (what would be) existing road base. I'll have continuous footings. Would I want to design a 4" high stem wall as thick as the wall in Chief? Or factor it in with either the floor finish or structure features? Much appreciated!

Thank you! I did end up talking to my engineer who basically said, "don't cut into the top plates".

copy that. yeah, my door is 8' so i'd like to be closer to that. i'll check with engineer...appreciate the help!

That's probably my sloppy drawing :). Here's another view. Highlighted area is what i'm tryna figure out. Can i put header above plates (so i don't reduce the headroom from 7'3")? And is 7'3" even reasonable for living quarters upstairs (the only living quarters in this building)?

Thanks @Renerabbitt for the help here. Sorry it's the white section with 7'6" measurement depicted here i'm struggling with. The 7'6 is top of the plate, 7'3 would be bottom (of top). Do i need a header under that as well? I'm nervous having such little head room as it is for moving furniture up the stairs. Much appreciated!

Hi everyone, I'm designing a modern farmhouse style RCA barn with living quarters on 2nd floor and struggling with the stairs. My design calls for L shaped stairs beginning in the right "lean to" going thru the main center section wall as shown below. I'm wanting to maximize headroom while allowing for proper structural needs (i'm not sure how high we can go into that wall). Obviously need to stay below the top of shed roof but question is how far below. For reference, the 7'3" measurement on "Perspective Framing" drawing is from top of landing to bottom of double top plate. The 7'6" on cross section is to top of same plate. Nice to have: keep riser above 7" (close to 7 1/4") Much appreciated team! Let me know if you need any more drawings/details.

So true! I do like the Zip sheathing. I did however find this on their website: Despite their position, not sure why it would be any different than rigid foam. I am curious though, let me know what you find out from your engineer! I'll do some more digging as well.

I actually used this table in the CBC to come up with the R-5 (hoping to minimize costs ). According to this table, it seems "they'd" be ok even without spray foam if i went with a tile roof (Zone 3B) but I'm not a big fan of them. Also not sure that's a best practice. The foam I'm using here is R6.8 per inch which is more likely what the result would be (vs R5). But sounds like I should step it up to 1.5"-2" to get to the 25% recommendation? I think i did find the drawings I shared previously from Building Science...was just looking for a reference to compare against my drawings.

Appreciate your help here @Gawdzira! How do these look? This would be in Climate Zone 3B

@Gawdzira, curious if you lean towards something like this: or this:

Curious if anyone has a CAD block they'd be willing to share for the unvented attic? (i'm working on modifying these since they are close to my design)

For anyone following this topic, I did speak to my T24 "guy" and Unvented is definitely an option as they have lots of levers to pull to maintain Energy compliance. Interestingly, nobody in my "circle" has done an unvented attic so I'm on my own so to speak. Will re-post back here if anyone interested. (?) Thanks!

@Gawdzira honestly I'd prefer the unvented route if I can get away with it so I appreciate you challenging me on this . I thought it would be required given the Energy Code/Title 24. Sounds like you've been able to avoid the vented route while still complying with T24. Do you have any examples (section details or references) that you'd be willing to share? Much appreciated!

Hi Alan, the plan was to use Vulcan at both ridge and eave locations (the ridge is just their continuous vent). I'll check out the HDG screen mesh as well...thanks for the recommendation!