My house was built in 1986. When it was built the basement walls were covered in a black tar type paper (name??) from ceiling to floor ( and under the framing. Insulation was then added again from ceiling to floor and the entire job was ciovered by a plastic vapour barrier. I understand that the preferred solution would have had the black paper cfover to just below grade and the insulation stop about a foot or two from the floor, however it does not seem to have caused any problems. Is this a serious problem, or can I just let well enough alone? (I live in Ottawa Ontario = significant winters). Thanks

My house is 32X36. I am questioning the structural integrety of a 12-12 pitch roof with 24' rafters hung from a ridge beam VS. what I'd call a semi-truss. This will be a loft without pony walls and a cross beam will attach horizontally to opposing rafters 6' from the peek leaving a 10' ceiling. Because I'd rather not hang rafters from that height and wrestle with a heavy beam I am wondering if that configuration would be advisable. I like the idea of building each rafter set in a jig and they will be well secured at the bottom. Also there are 2 girders running crossway (32') in the floor plus the subfollring to hold the walls in. My concern is wether or not this design would want to push out the walls or if it is attached securely to the floor, does that create a large truss effect? Thank you for your replies. Dan