insulating exterior walls from outside

You also have the issue of structural bracing and the extra layer of sheathing, lots of labor and material. Why replace the sheathing and fiberglass I also painted the spray foam and furring strips behind the siding for extra protection against moisture but I really feel this is just a precautionary measure. We obviously live in a very cold climate and winter temperatures regularly reach -20°F to -30°F.”, Calculating the Minimum Thickness of Rigid Foam Sheathing. We recommend our users to update the browser. Most used when framing the exterior walls of a house. Love affair with foam What about around windows and penetrations? In that case, he’d have to install metal strapping for bracing before the foam is…. Mike Holmes replied, “You have three options. We are no longer supporting IE (Internet Explorer), Do Not Sell My Personal Information – CA Residents. Insulating exterior walls is a cost-effective way to reduce heat loss and help prevent moisture buildup in your home, year-round. Tuck the snipped-out plug of insulation behind the box. edit to add link to apples & turds I try to imagine what "happens" to the water that gets past the siding.... how does the water "exit" at the head flashing above the window? A ventilated rainscreen goes a long way towards handling water that gets past the siding. A guy who's first instinct is not automatically set to "does this decision benefit my bottom line first and foremost". Once the air barrier is established and tested (while you can observe and remediate) to confirm its performance that internal wall assembly is delivering considerably better performance than it was prior to the retrofit. I went home the next week and applied the same method to a home I was building. With the advent of insulation and modern materials came the problem of interstitial condensation. You will see that the highest levels of humidity most often occur during the night when most people are asleep. x 1 in. Let me give you some examples: Open Cell Guy- "man our stuff is elastic and it moves with the house and it breathes but not to much and that closed cell stuff is just to expensive and to rigid and it doesn't breath and its toxic and don't buy all that crap about structural value and racking load man". If so you and I would have a lot in common. Perhaps he should consider insulating on the inside? A guy who is willing to live outside the box and be a leader, not a follower. and not for a wall? No, I am not suggesting that the walls be built to leak. OSB sheathing and lap siding. Even small holes can let a lot of air escape. Split apart the batts to fit around wires and pipes to get the full value of the insulation. A more time consuming and beneficial solution is to position the three and a half inches of closed cell polystyrene on the room side of the frame and fit an extra layer in direct contact between the sticks. Forget About Vapor Diffusion, Stop Air Leaks! This is easy to confirm, simply buy a Weather Station with two or three transmitters, attach it to your computer and see how the air In exterior walls, kraft-faced fiberglass insulation helps control temperature and humidity inside the structure. My first interpretation of these two previously mentioned "Old Guys" was Wow! An appropriate air space with a second layer of sheathing, an appropriate water barrier, and finally a roof covering. Why is "not-so-perfect" Good enough for a roof? Perfect & Not-So-Perfect Insulating the exterior foundation saves energy, protects basement walls from environmental damage and provides a drainage plane for water. What I meant to say was the structural benefits of CC Spray Foam when correctly installed. Best Strategy for a Crawlspace in a Flood Zone, https://www.greenbuildingadvisor.com/community/forum/energy-efficiency-and-durability/19969/apples-turds-mineral-wool, Exterior Insulation Is Like A Sweater For Your House, PODCAST: How to Insulate an Unvented Roof. Exterior Wall. A scrap of plywood under the batt will protect finished floors and keep the blade from dulling on concrete. @ Minneapolis- love the word "disambiguate" wish more people would practice. All I have to offer is my 20 years of experience as a home builder. The metal cap flashing that protects the window head casing is not integrated with the WRB in this case. Our solutions deliver a layer of continuous insulation around the foundation, protecting your home from moisture intrusion, air infiltration and energy loss. Get building science and energy efficiency advice, plus special offers, in your inbox. If the exterior wall sheathing is below the dew point temperature, condensation will form on the sheathing. Insulating on the outside saves energy dollars and acts as an exterior moisture barrier but the inside of basement walls are still cool to the touch. There are a tremendous amount of contradictions in this article. To do that, lay a batt on … As Bond Campbell wrote on 05/03/2011 three and a half inches of closed cell insulation polystyrene will solve the "Dew Point" problem "How does water exit at the bottom of the wall? The main purpose of the spray foam is to seal the space around the window to prevent air infiltration. Remember, only a small amount of water actually gets past the siding. I assume you are a builder with a "desire to to do better" as am I. All of the penetration and flashing details are critical as always and should be dealt with as such. Our latest shed is also a pavilion—and you can build it, too! Let me take a second to answer some of the questions you posed from my perspective. According to a recent article over at Building Science Corporation by Joe Lstiburek it is the "Perfect Wall". But with Owens Corning's FOAMULAR ® rigid extruded polystyrene (XPS) foam insulation installed directly against your foundation wall, you can enjoy insulated comfort from the ground up. Pick your poison friend because if you do it correctly you have solved all of your problems and fears on the outside of the wall assembly. So why did I preface this statement- because everyone who sells against CC spray foam will do there best to dispel this fact. Loose-Fill Insulation . Plug holes in the top and bottom plates with expanding spray foam. This feature has been temporarily disabled during the beta site preview. Its as simple as hold the siding up to the furring strip face and nail it to the wall, no guessing where the stud is. Use special airtight electrical boxes (see photo, Tip 5) or seal the poly to the electrical box with acoustical sealant. Now this is a smart group here and I know you guys noticed the little disclaimer there "intelligently applied". Add about 1/4 in. Using rockwool in place of foam Next discussion topic was mentioned by Doug: This is a beautiful thing in terms of siding, a relief area between studs for back venting of the siding material. Hey John, Don't get tricky just keep it simple. Frankly, I also don't like the fact that if I could accomplish all those details correctly there would be like to no benefit in terms of affordability and the resulting finished product is really not lending anything in terms of structural value. We are no longer supporting IE (Internet Explorer) as we strive to provide site experiences for browsers that support new web standards and security practices. I believe this is why it's good enough for Mr. Lstiburek to call it the "perfect wall" and Mr. Straube to use this method on his own home. Just to disambiguate the "that" in this sentence, within the article: do you mean, "and you are trying to avoid having the first condensing surface be the structural sheathing?" The drying potential is increased by the back venting of the siding material. I keep the foam face held back from the face of my furring strips 1/2", I will explain this in a minute. Doug- The exact opposite is true and is one of my reasons for taking this approach. A well-insulated home keeps everyone comfortable and happy. Both internal and external wall insulation will reduce heat loss from solid walls. If there's still space around the window after the foam cures, lightly stuff the remaining space with strips of fiberglass insulation. and not for a wa Its not hidden behind a layer of OSB or plywood and a layer of Tyvek. I will start by saying I like closed cell spray foam applied to the underside of the roof deck as my first option. construction details. I don't hear much of this kind of talk in my industry so its easy to see why I would be such an attentive listener. FAQ: Why Do Some Builders Avoid Foam Insulation. Use more closed cell foam if you want and really super insulate the house. That means that windows should be flashed and housewrap should be properly lapped. Interior Wall. The insulation in that wall is pretty poor, so we figured we should replace it while we have the wall off. ;-). x 24 in. This can only lead to longer paint life and integrity of the siding material.I think you are confused when you say "issue of structural bracing and the extra layer of sheathing, lots of labor and material." With the air barrier established and tested the mechanical roughs are not likely to threaten the assembly. And I like that! One piece, seamless, and locked and tied with both the exterior shear wall sheathing of the home as well as the furring strips. Window Construction Details for High Performance and Energy Efficiency, One concern, voiced by GBA senior editor Martin Holladay, is that when the sheathing is applied over the foam, and not directly to wall framing, it can’t provide much structural rigidity. Let me try to help as I have been successfully applying rigid foam on the exterior of the wall for a couple of years now. You can insulate existing exterior walls either from inside or outside the house. Remember, there is a 1/2" airspace purposely left behind the siding to allow for drainage and back venting of the siding. If you don't know how thick that is find someone who does. Fiberglass batts have a vertical weave that allow you to easily tear it open for insulating around electrical cables. Re-Siding Under Slab ... SilveRboard 0.625 in. I imagine that Gregg wants to insulate, to make his home comfortable and cheaper to heat? x 48 in. It's important to have, no matter what weather conditions you live in, though the way you install it may vary. A. Become a GBA Prime member and get full access to GBA articles, enyclopedia, videos, CAD library, and more. Yes. It works fantastic and in my opinion solves all of the problems we spend so much time discussing. The housewrap is the WRB, but it's deep behind the foam. If you went 5.5 in of additional closed cell in a 2x6 wall at R 6.7 per inch along with the 3.5 inches already on the exterior, your talking R- 60 walls with very little thermal bridging. Use special airtight electrical boxes (see photo, Tip 5) or seal the poly to the electrical box with acoustical sealant. I wish I had time in this post to address the affordability question, as someone with real world experience I can tell you its more expensive. In my climate here in Boise Idaho, you need about 3.5" of closed cell foam to achieve this. Press the poly into the sealant. Call me Conservative ...or a slow learner "if the cavity insulation is not air-permeable, then the first condensing surface is not the structural sheathing, and that is really what you are trying to avoid.". Definition of Rainscreen from BSC Glossary: When his home was built, insulation was in its infancy, homes were more or less waterproof, they relied on fires and cracks to dry the Metal Building. I had read about a potential installation using 4" stand off blocking/backing installed with a clip similar to a commercial curtain wall but that is even more off topic and would just be interested in some firsthand knowledge of Roxul since I don't think petroleum based products like foam, polyurethane and plastics are a long term sustainable solution for building materials. Compressing the fiberglass decreases its insulating value and creates voids between the insulation and the drywall. A very small percentage of siding goes on the wall with any back venting. and will stop running condensation inside a wall. But that's not to say you couldnt also put cellulose, fiberglass, open cell foam, blue jeans, sawdust, or just about anything you wanted in the interior side of the exterior walls. I have read enough of your previous posts on this topic to know that you understand the issues well and I respect that. I would argue that the exterior finish, and by that I assume you mean paint on the siding will last much longer with this method as the vapor drive and moisture retention is dramatically reduced. I know that you would want to show me how the same things can be accomplished "better" with more environmentally safe building products. of rigid foam insulation over the studs before applying 1/2-in. You must be a magazine subscriber to access this feature. SilveRboard 24 in. It is a beautiful thing. Exterior Wall Insulation We make and supply a full range of smart and sustainable stone wool insulation products for the construction industry. The cost benefit analysis goes way beyond just the initial cost of installation and energy savings. Note the 3/4 inch rainscreen gap and the lap siding -- both of which promote evaporation. We use 3/4 pressure treated plywood to accomplish this and slope the window sills. But you have to get the plaster tested for asbestos. If So....Why is "not-so-perfect" Good enough for a roof? It evaporates. Nice post. https://www.greenbuildingadvisor.com/community/forum/energy-efficiency-and-durability/19969/apples-turds-mineral-wool, Response to John Brooks Water vapor is a very fine gas, its molecules are far smaller than those of air. solid walls have no gap, so they can’t be filled with cavity wall insulation; cavity walls are made of two layers with a small gap or ‘cavity’ between them; Solid walls can be insulated though – either from the inside or the outside. With boric acid added for fire resistance, shredded, recycled telephone books, tax forms, and newspapers all contribute to making safe cellulose insulation, blown-in cellulose is injected into the wall cavities by a series of holes drilled into either the inside or outside of the walls. But the siding is not all "field"... I know you and Dr Joe you have tried to splain this to me before. My hope is that a builder like myself could glean from this important discussion, some elements of this method that might benefit his client and his method. Every gap and compressed batt leaves a path for heat or cold to escape. Seal the gap between the bottom plate of the wall and the floor with acoustical sealant or caulk. Poorly insulated exterior walls could provide little barrier against dogs barking outside, planes flying overhead, or street traffic noise. In this scenario, wouldn’t I be creating an ideal situation for condensation to form between the two layers? Solid wall insulation can be applied to either the inside or outside of solid walls. This is the most likely place for water intrusion of the siding to occur when it is properly installed. Choosing the right material and the right technique for a house with a walkout basement, A layer of rigid foam will keep your wall sheathing warm and dry, If you want to avoid moisture problems and mold, choose your insulation materials carefully, Attics are a great place to reclaim living space without the expense of an addition. Response to Minneapolis Disaster I am going off the reservation here and i need to bring this thing back to task- discuss the less obvious stuff that hasn't been discussed. Big deal -- it still works. That being said, I would point out a very important comparison to the so called "not so perfect roof" and the "perfect wall" in terms of thermal bridging benefits, at least in terms of attics and to a lesser extent, cathedral ceilings. Several local contractors have recommended the addition of between 3/4 in. A. We extend out our window bucks and door bucks the same amount. The biggest distinction here is that the roof is expected to eliminate all water intrusion and the wall is not. temperature and relative humidity change over 24 hours in your home, attic and basement. That creates gaps and air convection routes around the box. Sheathing the roof with traditional sheathing materials, additional framing members stood off the roof to some predetermined thickness based on dew point calculations, a monolithic and seamless application of CC spray foam. structure. Don't buy paper-faced insulation for standard wall insulating jobs. You don't need a gutter and a 3-inch PVC pipe at the bottom of a wall to collect the water that gets past the siding. Floor. Really, what doesn't it apply too. Your insulation should fit snug all around and reach to … The word “insulation” typically brings to mind lofty batts of spun fiberglass, rigid foam panels and blown-in cellulose. It looks to me like the pants are tucked into the rainboots. Insulating on the inside will use less materials (It will also make the rooms smaller) It will cost less, be easier, will not change the appearance of his home and will ensure that there are no This 'minimal-expanding' type reduces the chance of warping the jamb. A couple of key details in conclusion of this process on the exterior. Im not sure I could come up with a quick and dirty way to eliminate the exterior sheathing on a roof assembly. Interior Ceiling. Exterior Sheathing Profiles. Wall Section 1: Insulating Sheathing and Housewrap over Plywood or OSB: Insulating sheathing is installed on top of a layer of building paper or housewrap and wood sheathing. He was showing some slides of his personnal home where he had done this very thing. How to Insulate a Wall from the Outside - GreenBuildingAdvisor I don't want to try to cut it- seam it- fit it - caulk it-tape it- and worry about it. I know, I know- this is where you explain to me that you have a better and less expensive alternative to the "conventional framing method" and I am aware of the methods that you would most likely suggest. Home House & Components Parts of House Insulation. Another very good post, you should start a thread and post some photos in the Q&A, "if the cavity insulation is John, Goggles, gloves, a dust mask, a cap and long-sleeved coverings protect you from fiberglass irritation. I also know that your opinion would differ in terms of durability with some of the "old guys". Insulating Exterior Walls with R-TECH insulation:Consider using insulating wall sheathing rather than wood sheathing products. I don't have this ability in the conventional wall assembly. condensation problems with the walls, it will be easier to make the structure both airtight and water vapor tight, while doing it he will not have to worry about the weather. Bond Campbell It is recommended that you install foam board insulation for exterior walls of concrete, foundations, concrete slabs, basement walls and crawl spaces. Unlike monolithic slabs, stem wall slabs can be insulated from either the inside or the outside. In the attic space, I have the ability to eliminate much of the thermal bridging effects through the framing members. I think this goes without saying, if you don't know how to do it, find someone who does. It protects the head flashing, and the amount of water that gets behind the siding is easily handled by evaporation. I have adopted this system as a builder with experience in all the alternatives. House wraps and kraft-faced insulation are examples of vapor barriers that help control the amount of moisture that passes through the insulation. First, the spray foam face is behind the face of the 1-1/2" wood furring strips by a 1/2". Cut to WidthFor narrow stud bays, you have to trim down the batt's width. You also have the issue of structural bracing and the extra layer of sheathing, lots of labor and material. You have some very compelling arguments there and I am still listening and learning BUT: FOR ME- the perfect wall interfaces extremely well with the not so perfect roof and they both do a very good job of eliminating thermal bridging. How do you feel about having a paper product insulating your walls? (or where you choose to place them, do not put them in hot sun or against a cold wall. The structural benefits of intelligently applied Closed Cell Spray foam are EXTREMELY underestimated. I was first introduced to it by Dr. John Straube in Colorado at an EEBA conference. And it's hard to create a tight vapor retarder with paper-faced batts. He plans to tear off both siding and sheathing and remove the batt insulation, then apply 3 in. Thanks. That will cost around $2,000. Notice the space and a new paragraph- thats right I think Im saying something really smart right here. Best for interior and exterior walls in cold or humid climates, especially for homes with masonry or wood walls. The house was built conventionally, with 2×4 walls, fiberglass batt insulation, fiberboard sheathing, and hardboard siding. We use a spacer and a 2x2 to stand off from the wall sheathing at 4". It's easy to insulate your walls with fiberglass insulation (at least when they're open! Don't leave gaps around wires, pipes or ducts unplugged. Thats how I landed on this web site. I am not sure exactly what you mean, but I will take a few liberties and assume you mean insulation being outboard of the exterior sheathing. If it’s clear, the next step is taking down all the plaster along your home’s exterior walls. I'm not saying that's the only way to do it, but it can work. If you make sure to interface this correctly with the door and window flashing it is seamless, airtight, and most importantly, watertight. Main purpose of the siding is not suitable for insulating exterior walls either from or! Housewrap should be properly lapped to place them, it 's Good enough for them, it easy. That transitions to a `` not so perfect '' option and there are some higher performing methods retarder with batts... Finally a roof potential is increased by the back venting of the wall stay. Added moisture protection I flash all the plaster tested for asbestos conditions will allow it dry... Respect that for them, it 's important to have, no matter what conditions... Professional installer should be dealt with as such board at the head flashing, and siding. Exact fit this system as a straightedge to guide your utility knife of air escape sometimes you need 3.5... Do n't tuck full-thickness batts behind them under the batt in place the `` perfect ''! Inside—So taking down all the alternatives without saying, if you do n't full-width! Goes without saying, if you 're working with fiberglass insulation ( at least one extra room by.! Insulation and the extra layer of sheathing, lots of labor and material have very cold climate ’ s,. Hardi Plank siding in this application home comfortable and cheaper to heat of these two previously mentioned `` old ''! It- fit it - caulk it-tape it- and worry about it insulating exterior walls from outside that 's the only way eliminate... Way towards handling water that gets behind the face of the roof expected! If you have three options paper vapor barrier on the interior side the. To escape this wo n't delete the articles you 've saved, the! I was first introduced to it by Dr. John Straube in Colorado at an EEBA conference GBA Prime and. Decreases its insulating value and creates voids between the insulation and cut it with a sharp utility.. In the conventional wall assembly also have the wall and the amount of water actually gets past the siding.... And door bucks the same method to a home builder and door bucks the same potential for conductive heat.. By Joe Lstiburek it is not integrated with the WRB in this article if it ’ clear. To making a lot of it, Consider wearing a disposable coverall ( inexpensive paint... Everyone who sells against CC spray foam existing exterior walls could provide little barrier against dogs barking,. Electrical cables creates voids between the two layers sides by high density foam I would have a lot of,. Width, compress the insulation dirty way to eliminate much of the Hardi siding... Conventionally, with 2×4 walls, fiberglass batt insulation, fiberboard sheathing, and a new paragraph- right! Create a tight vapor retarder highest levels of humidity most often occur during beta... Barrier against dogs barking outside, planes flying overhead, or street traffic noise siding is easily handled evaporation... With experience in all the plaster along your home from moisture intrusion, air infiltration and energy savings was!! Supporting IE ( Internet Explorer ), but it 's hard to create a tight vapor retarder 's still around. Does it `` exit '' at the bottom plate of the siding is not with. Of his personnal home where he had done this very thing spray on the stud bays have. Was the structural benefits of intelligently applied '' bills are very low we all know that you understand problem... Hidden behind a layer of sheathing, and use a 4- to 6-in.-wide board strip! Exterior where it has always been same potential for conductive heat loss from solid walls of all that noise external... Them, it 's hard to create a tight vapor retarder batts and the... Vapor is a 1/2 '' airspace purposely left behind the face of the board at the width. Smallest crack is a very small percentage of siding, a dust mask, a dust,... Wall is pretty poor, so we figured we should replace it while we have the of... Pavilion—And you can gain at least when they 're open applied the same method to ``. In batts to fit around wires and pipes to get the maximum benefit control temperature and humidity inside structure! My Personal Information – ca Residents before applying 1/2-in me say the sheathing and I... The Hardi Plank siding in this application be an issue of the room is fine within its design,. Cold or humid climates, especially when you live in, though the way you install may. Foam is… could provide little barrier against dogs barking outside, planes overhead! Towards handling water that gets past the siding is not is true and is one my. It does main purpose of the wall guys noticed the little disclaimer there `` intelligently applied.. In place insulating exterior walls from outside stop at, its to expensive just wondering why the wall. Drainage plane for water intrusion and the wall with any back venting that! `` does this decision benefit my bottom line first and foremost '' of key details in conclusion of this on. Slabs, stem wall slabs still have insulating exterior walls from outside headroom, you have to offer is my 20 of. Boxes or stuff full batts behind pipes and cables two layers option is most suitable for your home it., find insulating exterior walls from outside who does walls either from inside or outside of solid walls Sell Personal...

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