I live in Dallas just so that you get a picture of the weather here. Up in the 90-100 degrees in the summer.
But first, to describe my setup. I have a 2-car attached garage in my house. It shares one common wall with the house and the other 3 walls are exterior walls. All three exterior walls have soffit vents all around and currently I have a turbine roof vent right above the garage.The ceiling height is 8 feet and it has a single garage door. The distance from the top of the ceiling joists to the highest point of the roof deck is approximately 4' and tapers off from there. The roof peek is centered over the garage and runs from the front of the garage to the back. I do not believe there is a ridge vent installed on the peek over the garage. The attic space above the garage is shared to the attic space over the rest of the house. The ceiling above the garage is not insulated.
OK, now that I've descibed my setup, I ONLY want to remove the drywall ceiling above the garage (Nothing else). Why?
a) have more space for things - there's not really room up there to install a drop down ladder and floor the space up there. I would use the studs that currently hold the sheetrock in place to store some items (nothing heavy). I would have greater access this way by using a step ladder.
b) have more ventilation - as it is, the garage in the summer stays about 10 degrees cooler than the attic and for those that live in Texas, THAT'S REALLY HOT! I figured the soffit vents, turbine roof vent and possible ridge vent might do the job but I am guessing the drywall ceiling prevents it really from going anywhere. Maybe I am wrong. In the summer it gets mainly hot when you park your car in the garage. In the winter time, the garage does stay pretty warm...but then again, I'd rather have it cool in the summer than warm in the winter.
c) It would add character to my garage and make it seem more open.
I do plan to extend the common wall up to the roof deck and seal it, Separating the rest of the attic from the garage area.
My concerns:
1. My wife thinks it would lower the value of the home should we consider selling it. I think once I finish it, others will enjoy the added space and new look of the garage.
2. Someone mentioned in a previous post that the ceiling serves as a firewall that may be mandatory. Not sure if this is the case.
3. I have never had bug issues. Get the usual spiders, wasps, etc..but nothing in excess. And I am sure having the drywall ceiling limits their ability to go any higher. Having the open space, I think may develop into several spider webs etc....and possibly give better access to pests that could eat the wood (termites, carpenter ants). I do have pest control that comes and treats my house quarterly. So far, no problems.
Your thoughts regarding this idea are appreciated.
Thank you,
Al
Thanks in advance!
But first, to describe my setup. I have a 2-car attached garage in my house. It shares one common wall with the house and the other 3 walls are exterior walls. All three exterior walls have soffit vents all around and currently I have a turbine roof vent right above the garage.The ceiling height is 8 feet and it has a single garage door. The distance from the top of the ceiling joists to the highest point of the roof deck is approximately 4' and tapers off from there. The roof peek is centered over the garage and runs from the front of the garage to the back. I do not believe there is a ridge vent installed on the peek over the garage. The attic space above the garage is shared to the attic space over the rest of the house. The ceiling above the garage is not insulated.
OK, now that I've descibed my setup, I ONLY want to remove the drywall ceiling above the garage (Nothing else). Why?
a) have more space for things - there's not really room up there to install a drop down ladder and floor the space up there. I would use the studs that currently hold the sheetrock in place to store some items (nothing heavy). I would have greater access this way by using a step ladder.
b) have more ventilation - as it is, the garage in the summer stays about 10 degrees cooler than the attic and for those that live in Texas, THAT'S REALLY HOT! I figured the soffit vents, turbine roof vent and possible ridge vent might do the job but I am guessing the drywall ceiling prevents it really from going anywhere. Maybe I am wrong. In the summer it gets mainly hot when you park your car in the garage. In the winter time, the garage does stay pretty warm...but then again, I'd rather have it cool in the summer than warm in the winter.
c) It would add character to my garage and make it seem more open.
I do plan to extend the common wall up to the roof deck and seal it, Separating the rest of the attic from the garage area.
My concerns:
1. My wife thinks it would lower the value of the home should we consider selling it. I think once I finish it, others will enjoy the added space and new look of the garage.
2. Someone mentioned in a previous post that the ceiling serves as a firewall that may be mandatory. Not sure if this is the case.
3. I have never had bug issues. Get the usual spiders, wasps, etc..but nothing in excess. And I am sure having the drywall ceiling limits their ability to go any higher. Having the open space, I think may develop into several spider webs etc....and possibly give better access to pests that could eat the wood (termites, carpenter ants). I do have pest control that comes and treats my house quarterly. So far, no problems.
Your thoughts regarding this idea are appreciated.
Thank you,
Al
Thanks in advance!
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