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Small Cabin Forum / Cabin Construction / 3-Season Cabin: Are Roof Baffles Needed?
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geobuild
Member
# Posted: 20 Jul 2021 13:56 - Edited by: geobuild
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I took delivery of my 14’ 24’ off-grid, 3-season cabin last week. I’ll use a wood stove for heat and there’s 2” of closed cell foam in floor. I have 2x6 studs and rafters and plan to install 5 ½" Rock Wool insulation in both. It's a catheddral ceiling. Can I get away with not installing roof baffles? If not, I guess I’ll extend the rafters with 2x4s cut in half. Suggestions will be appreciated. Thanks.
Our.Cabin.Exterior.D.jpg
Our.Cabin.Exterior.D.jpg


gcrank1
Member
# Posted: 20 Jul 2021 16:25
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Neither of my 2 cabins have had any, both had/have cath. ceilings.
In the hot weather we vent the peaks out and in the winter, which for us is only enjoyable a few times at 32deg + F, the wood stove was drying things out. Now we have propane which does have a humidifying effect which is not objectionable.
Not saying this is the right and proper way to do it, just that it has worked for us for 30+ years.

curious
Member
# Posted: 20 Jul 2021 17:34
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Are there vents in place, and do you plan to install ridge and soffit vents if there are none?

geobuild
Member
# Posted: 20 Jul 2021 19:38
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Quoting: curious
Are there vents in place, and do you plan to install ridge and soffit vents if there are none?


There's a ridge vent but no soffit vent. I can add soffit vents....

gcrank1
Member
# Posted: 21 Jul 2021 16:10 - Edited by: gcrank1
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If I understand it correctly....
If you have soffit and roof vents they need to be screened, Id want something good enough for insect and mice.
Then there needs to be the air movement space above the insulation. If the insul goes all the way to the underside of the roof deck you will need the baffels. If you leave an inch or so clear of the deck you shouldnt need the baffles?
Fwiw, my 1st cabin (1983-84 build) never had the cath ceiling insulated (lost my to-it) and we used it quite a bit in the winters for the first ten years or so. If I would have done the ceiling first rather than the walls it probably would have been better.....as I ran out of steam I could have finished up the easier to do walls.

Brettny
Member
# Posted: 22 Jul 2021 05:17
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A ridge vent also has a spec on how much opening needs to be at the sofit. Look this up before proceeding. Yes space down the rafters by cutting a 2x4 in half..or buying 2x2s

geobuild
Member
# Posted: 25 Jul 2021 09:08
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Thank you for all the advice. I decided to vent the ceiling. There's already a ridge vent and I'll add two 4" round soffit vents to each bay, cut 2x4s in half and attach to bottom of 2x6 rafters to increase the amount of space so when I add 5.5" of Rockwool insulation there's a gap between the top of the insulation and bottom of plywood roof sheathing. The cost is about $350 and a day or two of my time, good investments in case I use the cabin, in the Adirondacks, more during the winter than I originally plan to.

gcrank1
Member
# Posted: 25 Jul 2021 13:39
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Cutting good 2x4s to make spacer 2x2s just seems like a waste of 2x4s. And time and saw/blade wear & tear.

toyota_mdt_tech
Member
# Posted: 25 Jul 2021 21:32
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Quoting: gcrank1
Cutting good 2x4s to make spacer 2x2s just seems like a waste of 2x4s. And time and saw/blade wear & tear.


Price a 2X2X8 footer, then you'll see its not a bad idea at all.

WILL1E
Moderator
# Posted: 26 Jul 2021 12:18
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Quoting: toyota_mdt_tech
Price a 2X2X8 footer, then you'll see its not a bad idea at all.

Or even better yet, find straight ones!!


I assume the final roofing material is already on the outside?

geobuild
Member
# Posted: 27 Jul 2021 08:49 - Edited by: geobuild
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Yes, exterior is complete. This is a pre-fab shell that was trailered to our site.

geobuild
Member
# Posted: 27 Jul 2021 08:57
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Exterior complete:
20210714_175105.jpg
20210714_175105.jpg


Brettny
Member
# Posted: 27 Jul 2021 10:31
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Nice cabin Geobuild. Do you plan on staining the skids or putting gutters on? That also looks like some nice loose soil around it, perfect to rake some grass seed into.

gcrank1
Member
# Posted: 27 Jul 2021 10:39
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Nice!
I second the gutters, think you need to get that roof water away from your 'pad'.
Also recommend doing a rain barrel (or 2) with a 'first flush diverter' set up. Lots of great info online. Our place is off-grid and dry, the pickle barrel has been easily supplying all our utility water for the past 2 summers.

Brettny
Member
# Posted: 27 Jul 2021 11:53
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Nice cabin Geobuild. Do you plan on staining the skids or putting gutters on? That also looks like some nice loose soil around it, perfect to rake some grass seed into.

geobuild
Member
# Posted: 27 Jul 2021 12:00
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Thanks Brettny & gcrank1! I plan on gutters this fall and then collect the rainfall. I have 4 garbage cans under the eaves right now for water for general use. Foundation skirting next summer along with on-ground solar panels and batteries. I'm using an Ecoflow Delta 1300 power station right now for basic electricity and recharging with my generator. Takes less than an hour to go from a low charge to 100%!

The wife hasn't been to the cabin yet..... this Monday and she's going to deal with grass and wildflower seeding.

gcrank1
Member
# Posted: 27 Jul 2021 14:07
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She outta love it
The trees in the back look a lot like our place. How many acres?
Wildflowers will be great, that is what we have right up to the cabin and deck, all natural growth, dont mow but a little bit so we have butterflies and more right up close. Dont know if Butterfly Weed will grow at your place but check it out.

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