| Exposed roof rafters are in vogue. They | | | | room's ceiling/underside of the attic floor. This, |
| represent the latest trend in interior home | | | | however, falls within the work domain of the |
| designs; homes having a configuration of exposed | | | | technical people taking care of the project and |
| rafters can fetch suprisingly greater value than | | | | they will have suitable provisions in the project |
| those with plain ceilings. Many people who have | | | | plans to provide desired end results at the |
| attics in their homes, with attic floors serving as | | | | project's completion. Completion of the project will |
| ceilings for living spaces, have started to search | | | | effect an illusory change in the room's |
| for remodeling solutions that can expose roof | | | | appearance. It will appear more spacious and |
| rafters for rejuvenating their homes. | | | | bigger than it actually is. This comes from the |
| Since such a change provides contemporary | | | | additional overhead space that is created by |
| styling to the house, it increases the pleasure of | | | | removal of the attic floor. Sadly, it does not add |
| living there and also enhances the property value | | | | to the living space although the room does seem |
| considerably. Prospective homebuyers typically | | | | to have more space. Never the less, ambience is |
| look for houses with features that give/add value | | | | definitely enhanced. |
| to the property. They feel secure and satisfied | | | | The outside of the house also gets a new look by |
| with respect to the purchase price they pay and | | | | using some of the suitable after market products |
| consider it as money well spent. If the house has | | | | available. These can be integrated to complement |
| appeal, the buyer also sees the investment as | | | | the design of the house. For example, there are |
| carrying more liquidity allowing him to resell at | | | | many beautifully shaped brackets in different |
| short notice in case of an emergency. The | | | | designs that can be attached to externally |
| exposed rafter roof design caters substantially to | | | | projecting rafter tails/ends for attaching guttering |
| create an aura of contemporary styling and easy | | | | to add appeal and protect the house's structural |
| salability around a house. | | | | integrity. This will also eliminate the use of spike |
| There are numerous firms/individual contractors | | | | type gutter hangers or add on fascia board that |
| that can be contacted by homeowners who are | | | | look ugly and can spoil the outside looks of the |
| interested in going for a home renovation project | | | | house. |
| involving exposed roof rafters. It is a job for | | | | In case of industrial and commercial buildings, |
| experts and any agency consenting to undertake | | | | exposed roof rafters provide for easy fixing of |
| the work would first send out a qualified technical | | | | thermal insulation including vapor barriers. For |
| person to survey the home and assess whether | | | | example, multiple layer aluminum reflective |
| the project is feasible. Despite the homeowner's | | | | insulation can be attached in very little time to the |
| wish to have exposed roof rafters, there can be | | | | roof using under 1 inch staples and a hand stapler. |
| technical constraints preventing the project from | | | | Reflective insulation containing vapor barriers |
| being feasible/successful. If going ahead with the | | | | greatly reduces vapor transmission together with |
| project is technically ok then preparing an | | | | a substantial increase in insulating properties. Its |
| estimate for the project, along with completing | | | | light-reflectivity leads to a major reduction in |
| other preliminary requirements will follow. | | | | lighting needs. When affixed to exposed rafters, |
| When the project is undertaken it would require | | | | reflective insulation maintenance and replacement, |
| repositiong the lighting and other fixtures in a | | | | if required, becomes much easier. |