Thoughts on flat roofs...
Like many old brick houses in Chicago our place has a flat roof. It gets the job done and has the traditional look, but seems like a terrible waste of space. It would be nice to have an attic, that's for sure.
So, I have a couple of things on my mind about the flat roof. Actually, three things:
First, I need to get up there and apply some of the silver roof coating stuff before it gets too cold. This is the kind of stuff I'm talking about:
Second, I'm wondering what the space in between the roof and the 2nd floor ceiling is like. There must be some space up there... like 2-3 feet? Any insulation? Can I get in there somehow to do some rewiring? Add insulation? Re-enforce the roof beams because
Third, I sure would like to take advantage of that nice big, flat roof space. Some ideas include: a rooftop deck, which seems to be very popular on new buildings; a rooftop garden (even just a container garden); an addition of another story/attic space (probably doesn't jive with zoning, though); and my favorite - a batting cage for the kids.
So, I have a couple of things on my mind about the flat roof. Actually, three things:
First, I need to get up there and apply some of the silver roof coating stuff before it gets too cold. This is the kind of stuff I'm talking about:
Second, I'm wondering what the space in between the roof and the 2nd floor ceiling is like. There must be some space up there... like 2-3 feet? Any insulation? Can I get in there somehow to do some rewiring? Add insulation? Re-enforce the roof beams because
Third, I sure would like to take advantage of that nice big, flat roof space. Some ideas include: a rooftop deck, which seems to be very popular on new buildings; a rooftop garden (even just a container garden); an addition of another story/attic space (probably doesn't jive with zoning, though); and my favorite - a batting cage for the kids.
posted by M | 6/29/2005 04:06:00 PM
7 Comments:
Just wanted to say hi. I am so thrilled there is another 2-flat around now and in Chicago yet! Are you going to join houseblogs?
Thanks for the comment on my blog too!
Que Pasa- I will post some pics in the next couple of days that should answer your questions about the space between your ceiling and the roof. We are doing a gut rehab on our 2 flat and have done most of the demo. I also wanted a deck, as it would get some downtown view ( well, just the Sears tower, but saying "downtown view " sounds cooler. I'll see how the finances are going --
I too have had those questions. I own a 2 flat in Evanston and have just recently found your blog (and Chicago Two-flat). These blogs are great!
Back to the flat roof thoughts. Last year I tore a huge hole in my daughter's room near the back of the house. I was upgrading the electric and installing a ceiling fan support. I can tell you that there was only 8-10" between the ceiling joists and the roof rafters. Now, I don't know the pitch of the roof, but I can't imagine 2-3' near the front. I could be wrong, but that sounds like a lot.
I'd love to add insulation...and SpacePak central air-conditioning...and an access hatch!
Looking forward to southside chicago rehab's pictures.
Later
thanaks for the comments, everyone. Sorry I have been late to reply - I'm new to this blogging thing and can't always find time for it. If I manage to keep it going I will join houseblogs (Lakewood, answering your question). Southside, like Tom, I eagerly await your pictures. Tom, I'm totally speculating on what's above that 2nd floor ceiling. The 2-3 feet speculation actually comes from looking at the Einstien's ceiling (the one on Southport near the Brown line). I was in there a while back and noticed that their ceiling beams are exposed and, since it's a one-story building, it dawned on me that I was looking at the underside of the flat roof. It's not a residential building, but I figured maybe the setup is similar for other flat roofs from the same era. We shall see.
A rooftop garden sounds like a wonderful idea, and could even be part of your deck idea. I always think of movies like Greencard with wonderful rooftop garden terraces whenever I hear of a flat roof.
we live on the second floor of a two-flat and the silver coating on the roof made a noticeable difference this summer. we got to peek up at that space between the 2nd floor ceiling and roof when we installed a bathroom fan. the space is bigger in the front and gradually gets smaller towards the back of the house. there was a pretty strong draft up there and it was only then that we noticed air vents on the brick at the sides of the house. we're not sure what their purpose is. we thought of crawling around up there for rewiring and stuff but have been hesitant cause we weren't sure how much extra weight the structure could take. and we've also been thinking about a rooftop deck, garden, or something.
anyhoot, nice to see your blog, i blog but not about home rehab--i rather just read about 'em. its nice to see other two-flat dwellers in the blogosphere.
Hello! I'm new on here at
http://mylifein3flatrehab.blogspot.com/
We recently had an architect over to draw up some plans to tear down our enclosed porch and add an open deck... while she was here we asked about converting our roof to a rooftop deck as well. We were told that their has to be to exits on the roof, one in the front, one in the back, similar to the rest of the building... that put a dimmer on our plans, but we've seen other rooftop decks that don't have a front entrance/exit. Not sure if this is a new city code...
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