Attic trusses with that open center are a game changer if you want usable space up there, but they’re definitely not the go-to in every climate. I had them put in on a garage addition here in northern Wisconsin—pretty similar snow loads to Minnesota. Engineer signed off, but the thing is, you’ll need beefier lumber and more metal plates, which can get pricey. Haven’t had sagging issues after five winters, but I do keep an eye out after big storms. If you’re thinking about storage or a bonus room, it’s worth considering... just don’t skimp on the design.
Attic trusses really do open up the possibilities, don’t they? I went back and forth on them for my place in central Michigan—similar snow headaches. Ended up biting the bullet for the bonus room, but wow, my wallet felt it. Still, I’d do it again just for the extra space. Ever notice how fast that “just storage” fills up with random junk, though?
That’s exactly what happened to me—thought I’d have all this organized storage, but now it’s just a maze of boxes and old furniture. The attic trusses were a stretch for my budget too, but I figured the extra headroom was worth it, especially with Michigan winters. Did you notice any difference in heating or cooling costs after finishing out the bonus room? I’m still trying to dial in the insulation up there.
I totally get what you mean about the attic turning into a storage jungle. I had this vision of a super tidy space, but now it’s just a graveyard for old hockey gear and boxes of Christmas lights. When I was helping my uncle redo his place, he went with attic trusses too—mainly for the headroom, since he’s tall and wanted to actually walk around up there without ducking every two feet. The price tag was a bit of a shock, but he figured it’d pay off in usable space.
About the insulation and heating/cooling costs—my uncle’s house is in northern Indiana, so not quite as brutal as Michigan, but still gets those nasty cold snaps. He finished out the bonus room above the garage, and honestly, it was a mixed bag at first. The first winter, he noticed the room was always colder than the rest of the house, even though he’d put in what he thought was plenty of insulation. Turns out, there were some gaps around the eaves and where the trusses met the walls. Once he went back and filled those in (and added some spray foam in the weird corners), it made a big difference. The room still runs a couple degrees cooler in winter and warmer in summer, but nothing crazy.
One thing that surprised him was how much heat seemed to escape through the pull-down attic stairs. He ended up getting one of those insulated covers, which helped more than he expected. Not sure if you’ve got something similar, but it might be worth a look if you’re still tweaking things.
I’ve heard some folks say rafters are easier to insulate because you don’t have all those webs in the way, but honestly, I think it just comes down to how careful you are sealing everything up. Trusses definitely give you more headroom, but yeah, they can be a pain for running insulation and ductwork.
Funny thing—my uncle swears he’s going to turn that bonus room into a home gym, but right now it’s just full of old recliners and boxes of VHS tapes. Guess some things never change...
One thing that surprised him was how much heat seemed to escape through the pull-down attic stairs. He ended up getting one of those insulated covers, which helped more than he expected.
That’s a detail I see overlooked all the time—those attic stairs are basically a big thermal leak if not sealed right. Even with good insulation, small gaps add up fast. Out of curiosity, did your uncle ever look into air sealing around electrical boxes or recessed lights up there? I’ve seen a lot of bonus rooms lose efficiency just from those little spots. Sometimes it’s not just about the insulation depth, but tracking down every spot air can sneak through...
