Playhouse insulation suggestions

[buzz_baiter]

I framed up a playhouse for the kids in the backyard, it's pretty small, about 70 square foot, but has a "loft" just as big as the bottom floor, so I guess about 130 to 140 sq ft. of floor space total. It's sitting on 4 peirs concreted into the ground.

The bottom floor is about 6.5' high and the top is about 4.5' high at the peak of the roof and obviously gets lower as you get to the outsides of the upper story.

I'm putting plywood on the outsides for the walls (the type that looks like siding) I think it's 3/4 or 1 inch thick. For the roof will have particle board, roofing paper and shingles.

It will also have a small window unit downstairs, so my kdis will actually play in it :hmmmm: (Texas).

Before I start putting up all the plywood "siding" and the roof on, any suggestions on how I can insulate it a little or if it's even necessary?

The catch is, it's so small already, I don't want to lose too much space between the studs by putting normal insulations and dry walling over the top of the studs. Is there another option, like styrofoam? There will be a good 1 inch gap between the plywood and the outside of the wall studs and it would be perfect to "lay" something like styrofoam insulation in there, but not sure if that is worth it, legal, etc.

Any ideas?

[pushkins]

Adding insulation to a building that has on "air conditioning" is kinda pointless, all the air around the playhouse will be say, 90 degrees so the air in the playhouse will be the same unless you plan on adding an AC unit to the playhouse (in which case I'm sending you my kids....lol).
You could add some insulation to the roof area, simply to stop any direct sun heat.
As for the roofing, don't use particle board, use 1/2" OSB IF you have any leaks OSB is MUCH more forgiving than particle board.

[scuba_dave]

He actually will have AC in the playhouse
You can use styrofoam board, but you need to prevent the kids from picking it apart
IE - some sort of covering

Your BEST bet is to put the styrofoam on the outside studs
THEN put the sheathing over the styrofoam

[pushkins]

oooops...ya right......All I read was small window downstairs....One word "unit" makes a BIG difference...sorry !! Now I gotta find some kids to send him...

[buzz_baiter]

yeah, AC in the playhouse, if I didn't, I would have two baked kids!! way too hot, even right now down here.


Anyway, I could put styrofaom very easily on the outside of the studs and then put the plywood "siding" over that since there is a 1.5" gap there between where the plywood will go and the outside of the studs, but wouldn't I have to cover the styrofoam with gypsum board on the inside?


The roof boards are OSB, I just didn't know what I was talking about until I looked it up :oops:

[suemarkp]

Are you building a dwelling or a playhouse? A playhouse should have little in the way of rules. A dwelling would require styrofoam to be covered with a fire barrier (sheet rock or OSB). Will there be a risk of fire in the playhouse -- candles, space heaters, ???

If you're worried about it, sheath with OSB, put 1" foam over that, cover foam with the T1-11 siding.

[buzz_baiter]

Just a playhouse, not real worried about fire, although, in the winter, I'd expect a small heater of some kind to be used in there. More worried about not following 2006 IRC code which is what the city I live in will hit me with if questions ever come up.

It's being treated as an accessory building by the city I live in, same as a storage shed is the way I'm looking at it, but it's not a "pre-manufactured" accessory building, so I want to make sure I don't give them a reason to mess with me after I go through all of the trouble to build the thing, kinda cover my bases.

[Wgoodrich]

The IRC states in its rules any structure built less than 200 square feet is exempt from Code application. You are considered no more than a yard ornament with that size building no codes apply.

Kids will be kids. Considering no codes apply how about installing friction batt insulation in the studs then installing 1/4" paneling or plywood inside as a sealing of the walls to keep the kids from any styrofoam to pick at or fiberglass insulation to make them itch.

Just an idea

Wg

[homebild]

No doubt this structure is less than 200sf required by the 2006 IRC Code, but whether or not 'code exemption' applies to a detached accessory structure to a single family dwelling ALL THE TIME is a matter of debate.

Once you run electricity to a detached accesory structure regardless of size in my jurisdictions, you need permits and need to build the structure to current codes. ...

Once you heat or cool a detached structure accessory to a single family residence in my jurisdictions.....regardless of size...you needs permits and need to build the sturcture code compliant...

Once an accessory structure less than 200sf becomes 'habitable space' because it will be used as a 'bedroom', 'living room', or other type of habitable occupancy...it becomes subject to code compliance regardless of it's size...

----------------

Apart from the original poster consulting his local code authority for a definite answer...he needs to be concerned about just what 'kind' of occupancy he has created here.

[buzz_baiter]

I already know based on past experience that in my town, you still have to follow the code.

Doesn't the code specifically state, under 120 square feet no permit is required, but this does not give an excuse not to follow the code or something along those lines?

Again, my main issue is that I don't want to sheetrock or put up a thermal barrier on the INSIDE of the studs as this will make the playhouse lose alot of it's space since it's so small. In other words, the space between the studs (some are 2x6) will be used so I'm trying to figure out a way to legally insulate this thing (thermal barrier if necessary) without losing that stud space.

I can't find that freakin' Thermax wall insulation anywhere, so I think I'm going to put up standard 1/2" gypsum on the outside of the studs , then 1 inch insulation on top of that. These would both attach to the outside of my walls studs in the gap before putting on my T1-11 siding plywood. The reason is, the way I built it (which is probably retarded, but strong) is I ran 2x6 supports horizontally around my 4 piers/poles, then I attached the wall studs on the inside of those... so the siding/plywood will be attached to the outside 2x6's which leaves a 1.5" gap between the plywood and the outside of the wall studs. hopefully this is legal, it should be since the foam will be covered with a barrier.

[Wgoodrich]

A structure to be clasified as a dwelling must have a minimum of a kitchen, bedroom, living room and bathroom. This play house as none of those rooms. Then the minimum room size must be at least 70 square feet in size to meet the definition of any of those rooms except the bathroom. Therefor this playhouse can not be classified as a dwelling structure. The following rule applies to this playhouse making it exempt from following any building code rules. See copied section IRC.

COPIED SECTION INTERNATIONAL RESIDENTIAL CODE.

SECTION R105
PERMITS
R105.1 Required. Any owner or authorized agent who intends
to construct, enlarge, alter, repair, move, demolish or change
the occupancy of a building or structure, or to erect, install,
enlarge, alter, repair, remove, convert or replace any electrical,
gas, mechanical or plumbing system, the installation of which
is regulated by this code, or to cause any such work to be done,
shall first make application to the building official and obtain
the required permit.
R105.2 Work exempt from permit. Permits shall not be
required for the following. Exemption from permit requirements
of this code shall not be deemed to grant authorization
for anywork to be done in any manner in violation of the provisions
of this code or any other laws or ordinances of this jurisdiction.
Building:
1. One-story detached accessory structures used as tool
and storage sheds, playhouses and similar uses, provided
the floor area does not exceed 200 square feet(18.58 m2).

While electricity is ran to this building less than 200 square feet requires it to have an electrical permit and meet the NEC putting electrical to a building does not activate the building code or negate the exemption from the building code permit requirement. Only an electrical permit would be required and the NEC rules only will be required to be followed.

Wg