I'd like to put a train set in my loft / attic, so to avoid it being cold in there during the winter I'm considering having no insulation in the floor of it where one usually would, thus allowing the heat to rise into the loft. Then, insulate the roof between the rafters instead. Is this just as good at keeping the heating costs down?
If you are in a cold climate,do not insulate between the top chords of the trusses/rafters.Ventilation is required or your roof deck will mold and rot.You could insulate under the top chord,but will need to strap it out substantially to get the required r value.You will need to build a knee wall at the eves to ensure you don't block the eves with insulation.A product called rafter mate will help in this area.Ventilation is very important.
Insulate the floor and Install a 240V electric heater in the attic so you can turn it on when using that space. Since your not using this space for sleeping I see no reason to insulate the rafters and risk the problems mentioned above. Unless you like paying taxes don't finish off this room, leave the rafters exposed.
That's a far more complicated change than you realize. * The added area exposed to exterior conditions will increase your home's total heat loss with the same insulation values. * When that roof was installed, there was some form of venting sceme installed as well. If it was based on an insulated attic floor, it might need to be changed for an insulated roof. Get some advice from a 'pro', before you do anything.
It will provide some insulation but not as much as you can get by insulating the attic in the normal way. Typically you use very thick batts or blown insulation that can be 12 to 18 inches thick. If you insulate only the rafters you will probably only have 5-1/2 inches of insulation. I think you are going to find the attic with this arrangement pretty cold depending on where you live.
only if you do it right.do you have plenty of head room if so drop the ceiling down and super insulate two feet or more and don't forget to leave air space between roof and top of insulation or your roofing boards will rot very quickly.
