Author Topic: Club house idea (Read 381 times)

Chairboy · « **on:** June 09, 2006, 07:59:35 PM »

If I stay in my current house, I had an idea for something to build for my kids, wanted to see if anyone else had done this.

Here's the layout: Our bedrooms are upstairs. I've been in the attic a lot the last couple weeks while running some wires, and I've been looking at this unused area with my imagination running.

The boys share a room right now (4 and 2 years old respectively). I was thinking of going up into the attic, putting down a basic floor with carpet and doing some basic finishing up there, then cutting an access hatch in the ceiling of their room to go to it. Maybe a rope ladder with some type of release for them to get up into it, or a solid wood ladder that can be popped out in a jiffy.

When we sell the house, it's just storage if we need to, or we can tell the buyers what we did if they have kids, etc.

Thoughts? Practical, any huge reasons NOT to do this? I'm thinking a hatch that's insulated so that it doesn't tax the A/C. Oh, I was also thinking that a nice thing to do would be to put in one of those solar vent fans or something to air out the crawlspace on warm days, it gets HOT up there! Figure that might extend the life/increase the effectiveness of my A/C.

Mr Big · « **Reply #1 on:** June 09, 2006, 08:25:29 PM »

My thoughts?

You are going to kill yourself someday, or someone you love with one of your "ideas"

rabbidrabbit · « **Reply #2 on:** June 09, 2006, 08:47:46 PM »

4 and 2? ummm wait 4-6 years unless you really don't like your kids. Might want to fireproof that sucker too.

culero · « **Reply #3 on:** June 09, 2006, 09:20:11 PM »

While you're at it put another hatch in your bedroom. You may never intend to use it but it'd be handy to have if you need it.

You're not as much concerned with insulation on the hatch(es) as you are sealing them so they don't leak air when closed. Weatherstrip.

The vent fan(s) will for sure help, both in room temperature up there and less load on the AC system below.

I'd also consider insulating the roof and walls if they aren't already. They have relatively inexpensive foam sandwich insulation in 4X8 sheets that would be really easy to install. That plus seal whatever wall covering you put up so it doesn't leak air.

If there's a downside to your idea I don't see it.

culero

Neubob · « **Reply #4 on:** June 09, 2006, 09:53:50 PM »

I must apologize. My initial response was far too harsh. Seems like a feasible idea. Just make sure they're supervised. I don't have kids yet, thankfully, but I'm an uncle and have been around that age-group enough to know that they shouldn't be left alone long enough to make any decisions on their own.

On the flip side of the coin, I wish my dad could have found the time to be half this involved in my own upbringing.

eagl · « **Reply #5 on:** June 09, 2006, 10:00:43 PM »

Chair,

A friend I had growing up had a little storage room clubhouse sort of like that. Simple things can keep it safe (make sure walls don't fall over when bumped into, thick carpet at the base of the ladder, etc) so I think it's a great idea.

It'll probably get really hot in the summer, but the final verdict will be what your kids think about it.

I dunno how far you want to go with it, but one of those little tvs with a built-in dvd player embedded into the wall would also be cool. Just remove it again before your kids become horny teens

rpm · « **Reply #6 on:** June 10, 2006, 01:17:55 AM »

I'd install a regular attic door. They swing down and have a ladder attched. Be careful if you decide to do an interior, there a a couple things you have to do. Make sure you do not cut off ventilation from the roofboards. It will cause the roof to sweat and mold/mildew will ruin the wood.

Debonair · « **Reply #7 on:** June 10, 2006, 01:22:12 AM »

i'm not as good with tools as mr. chair seem to be, but i did invent a new way to pick my nose recently.
nothing ventured, nothing gained

Chairboy · « **Reply #8 on:** June 10, 2006, 02:33:22 AM »

Hah, I'm not necessarily "good" with tools so much as I am enthusiastic.

Thanks for the feedback, good stuff. I'm not sure how I'll handle the moisture/beams issue, but I'll ask some contractor friends. The idea of using a standard attic access seems pretty smart. Perhaps part of the 'club house' idea can be to put in a bit of simple tunnel up there past the A/C unit to the already structurally reinforced storage area.

The spaces between the ceiling beams are filled with a fluffy insulation, not fiberglass bats, but something that was sprayed in an is lying prone. So I'll have to isolate those areas from the kids so they can't go explore and fall through a ceiling like I almost did in my high school.

eagl · « **Reply #9 on:** June 10, 2006, 02:45:45 AM »

Definately wall in the area. Don't allow access to the other "service" areas, unless you want your kids to get hurt or wreck stuff. From exposed nails to electrical lines going to the AC blower, there are plenty of things for a curious kid to mess with and get hurt on.

Plus insulation is not good to play with... It collects stuff like mouse turds and you'll lose it's benefits if the kids disturb it.

DREDIOCK · « **Reply #10 on:** June 10, 2006, 02:58:39 PM »

Hang out up there for an hour in the middle of summer.

Then come back and tell us if its a good idea.

If your attic is anything like most peoples.

You will be able to last mayyybe 15 minutes in the middle of summer.

Might be able to convert it over for yourself as a sauna though:D

Chairboy · « **Reply #11 on:** June 10, 2006, 04:08:25 PM »

No kidding! When I was up there last week, it was broiling. That's why I was thinking of an electrical-assist fan to help vent out the attic, both to make it a little more habitable and to reduce the load on the A/C pump that's up there.

I was also thinking, heck, since the A/C system is _right there_, I could maybe route some of that A/C through the club house. I'll have to get someone smarter than me up there to figure out something that won't kill my electric bill (or me for that matter), but seems like with the right insulation, it could be a little piece of habitable area that gets the benefit of the house HVAC.

Hangtime · « **Reply #12 on:** June 10, 2006, 04:25:11 PM »

turn off the kids video games.

kick 'em outside.

it's summer.

and you should get yer bellybutton in the garage with the door open so you can keep an eye on the kids and the BBQ, drink beer and work on that damn airplane.

Focus!!

FiLtH · « **Reply #13 on:** June 10, 2006, 11:42:41 PM »

Not a good idea. Depending on the floor of the attic you may cause issues with the ceilung sheetrock in the rooms below. Summer time would be to hot for them to use it. Usually theres wire you would need to reroute to keep them from getting trampled. And if they ever decided to sleep up there you better have another egress point in case of fire than a single trapdoor.Bunch of other issues I probably havent even thought of.

rpm · « **Reply #14 on:** June 10, 2006, 11:53:18 PM »

It's not that hard to do, you just need to do it right. If you have contractor friends, invite them over for a beer then toss the idea out there. I bet they even "know a guy" that would do it on the cheap.