Hey everyone....need a little help here. I will be building a new home and I know this sounds like a dumb questions, but I need to know and don't know. Anyways, I will be having to do a step foundation as the front of the basement will be fully exposed (having a walk out). What is the normal size of a foundation? Since I am doing a step foundation, should I be putting styofoam insulation from the foundation out two feet to prevent the frost from getting under the foundation? If so, how far down should I be putting the insulation? How far around the corners should I go with the insulation? Is this insulation really needed? Any help would be greatly appreciated. :)

Originally my garage was open ceiling, previous owners covered it up with drywall. I have a access to the attic area, I took some of the measurements. Also my roof is hip style. With the start of the hip almost center over the garage. The rafters and joists are 2 x 4's forming the trusses. On each joists there is a 2x6 sistered to it. Running perpendicular to each joist there are 2x4's, every 12", nailed I guess to support the drywall. Also, 2 of the trusses have two "v" shape supports to the rafters. Between each joist is 4'. Is my attic structure sound enough to store holiday stuff and other not real heavy items? If I cay store anything, I was thinking laying flooring with supports being the 2x6's and not the actual joists.