Your project will require a LOT more planning if you're asking questions like this. I'm not trying to say you aren't doing the right thing by asking questions, because you ARE doing the right thing. Since you're doing this work yourself, consider spending some of the $$$ you save on Professional costs by spending it on a GOOD book, or 2.

Regarding your ?, yes, you need to allow the roof-line to breath. You'll need soffit vents and a ridge vent. You'll also need soffit chutes which run on the underside of the roof's sheathing. You shouldn't need a vapor barrier because you have one on the roof already (called tar paper.) If you add one now, you'll only create a 'pocket' for moisture to get trapped in between the 2 layers, and start rotting. Yes, add insulation AFTER you add the soffit chutes.

Have you considered if your HVAC system can handle the additional demands for that space? Have you 'evaluated' your floor joists, especially if they're not at least 2 x 10's? (You'll be putting furniture and flooring and the weight of people up there so it has to be 'sound'.) How 'bout electrical demands??? Will you be running new lines to 'service' that space? The same for phone and CATV and who-knows-what-else. (You can NOT run both types of lines w/each other.)

I guess I could go on and on but a good renovation book that talks about 'converting' an attic into living space already does that for me. My best to ya and hope this helps.

Jay J -Moderator

PS: God Bless America!

Thanks for the insight.

I will certainly invest in a quality book on attic renovations.

My ace in the hole is my father, a civil engineer and a commercial building (retired) contractor, so all of the drywall, electrical, etc is covered off well. The only outstanding issue was that no one has ever done an attic renovation.

Take care, I appreciate your help.

Regards,

Peter