Any reason NOT to connect my garage's rafters to my adjacent attic?

My garage is uninsulated, and it shares the roof with the rest of the house. However, the attic over the conditioned (non-garage) space is separated from the garage space by drywall. The existing attic access is in the opposite corner of the house, and it's difficult to get into this section of the attic from there. Like, it's a belly-crawl through a tight space buried in blown-in insulation. I'm anticipating the need to do some electrical work up there soon. So I'm considering cutting an access port in the drywall between the attic and the garage. Is there any reason I should NOT do this? Things I've considered: the garage contains cars. Sometimes the cars produce exhaust. That sounds like the door to the attic needs to be at least as "airtight" as the existing human-door between the two spaces. So maybe it needs a latch? I do woodworking in the garage, so sawdust is a concern. Same mitigation as #1 though, I assume. Could the attic separation be for fire protection purposes? If so, the access door needs to be fire retardant. I live in a forest. Squirrels and other animal invaders are a factor. The house has been sealed against them, but it's hard to keep them out of the garage (because garage door). Again though, that sounds like I just need a good access door. There are gable vents and ridge vents all along the attic, and the ridge vent extends over the garage rafters. It should be sufficiently ventilated. But if I breach the barrier between them, maybe it might degrade the attic air currents somehow? If so, that sounds like I just need a good access door? Am I overthinking this? What should I be concerned about? submitted by /u/CheddarDeity [link] [comments]

May 3, 2025 - 23:36

My garage is uninsulated, and it shares the roof with the rest of the house. However, the attic over the conditioned (non-garage) space is separated from the garage space by drywall.

The existing attic access is in the opposite corner of the house, and it's difficult to get into this section of the attic from there. Like, it's a belly-crawl through a tight space buried in blown-in insulation. I'm anticipating the need to do some electrical work up there soon.

So I'm considering cutting an access port in the drywall between the attic and the garage. Is there any reason I should NOT do this?

Things I've considered:

the garage contains cars. Sometimes the cars produce exhaust. That sounds like the door to the attic needs to be at least as "airtight" as the existing human-door between the two spaces. So maybe it needs a latch?
I do woodworking in the garage, so sawdust is a concern. Same mitigation as #1 though, I assume.
Could the attic separation be for fire protection purposes? If so, the access door needs to be fire retardant.
I live in a forest. Squirrels and other animal invaders are a factor. The house has been sealed against them, but it's hard to keep them out of the garage (because garage door). Again though, that sounds like I just need a good access door.
There are gable vents and ridge vents all along the attic, and the ridge vent extends over the garage rafters. It should be sufficiently ventilated. But if I breach the barrier between them, maybe it might degrade the attic air currents somehow? If so, that sounds like I just need a good access door?

Am I overthinking this?

What should I be concerned about?

submitted by /u/CheddarDeity
[link] [comments]