Sun Valley Room Additions Built to Keep the Heat Out
Sun Valley room additions planned from the ceiling down: a radiant barrier, deep insulation and a vented attic to keep the new room usable under hard sun.
A large share of the heat a single-story room takes on arrives through the roof. For a Sun Valley addition the ceiling assembly gets chosen first: a radiant barrier under the roof covering, deep insulation over the ceiling and a vented attic above it. Together they keep a bedroom or family room from turning into an oven on a hard-sun afternoon, and they ease the load on the cooling system.
The ceiling assembly, layer by layer
A foil-faced radiant barrier on the underside of the roof sheathing reflects heat back before it reaches the attic floor. Insulation over the ceiling is installed to the depth the energy code calls for, with baffles at the eaves that keep a channel of air moving above it. Vents at the eaves and ridge are sized to the roof area so hot air escapes. Recessed lights are sealed boxes, since open cans leak conditioned air straight into the attic, and the ceiling drywall is taped airtight.
Walls, glass and the energy forms
Wall cavities get full insulation and the framing is sealed at the plates, so dry wind and dust find no gaps. Windows are picked for a low solar heat gain rating, and deeper eaves or a covered patio shade them. LADBS reviews the energy compliance forms that document all of this for the added floor area, so the figures on the drawings match what is installed. The aim is a room that holds a steady temperature with a smaller cooling load.
Room Additions in Sun Valley: what families ask
Size comes from the lot. LADBS applies yard setbacks, a coverage cap and a height limit to every parcel, and we measure yours, subtract the house and garage, and sketch the largest room that still passes.
Yes, for most projects. The addition is framed and closed in behind a temporary wall, so sleeping, cooking and bathing continue in the existing house. Windows go in once the shell is up, and the opening between old and new waits until the end.
The roof pitch, eaves and fascia are carried over first, then the wall finish and paint. New windows are chosen to look like the old ones in proportion and grid pattern, though the glass behind them performs better. Inside, trim and floor heights line up at the doorway.
Room Additions in other cities
Other projects we take on in Sun Valley
Your Sun Valley project, start to finish
Tell us about the house and the space you need. We reply by phone or email to plan a visit.