joleat
Member
My house is 1-1/2 stories and was built in 1959. The construction is typical for the time/area and consists of stud framed walls with plank sheathing and no wall insulation. At some point, the previous owner replaced the original wood siding with vinyl siding, but I'm unsure if a house wrap was installed. When I opened one of the exterior walls, I found a large wasp nest with a few active wasps, so I think the likelihood of a house wrap being present is slim.
There are 1/8" to 1/4" horizontal gaps between the sheathing planks and I would like to do something to prevent pest intrusion through those gaps while I have the walls open. I've thought about using a canned spray foam such as Great Stuff, but I also question whether or not that is the best approach. I welcome other ideas for pest control within the walls.
The current construction appears to be:
My long-term plan will include new siding and will present an opportunity to address the possible lack of a house wrap, but I'm already working on the interior wall coverings, which means I'm probably 3-4 years out from addressing the siding. I'm curious if that time gap should influence how I approach insulating the walls. I'd also like to know whether or not I should consider installing a 4-6mil moisture barrier across the inside of the wall prior to installing drywall if my future may include a house wrap. I worry that doing so will create a moist environment within the stud cavity.
I've come up with a few plans of attack, but I would love to have the insight of someone with a building science background. Please feel free to provide an alternate plan.
OTHER NOTES: The house is located in a rural wooded area in climate zone 4A, but the next county over is 5A.
Option 1:
Advice is greatly appreciated!
-J
There are 1/8" to 1/4" horizontal gaps between the sheathing planks and I would like to do something to prevent pest intrusion through those gaps while I have the walls open. I've thought about using a canned spray foam such as Great Stuff, but I also question whether or not that is the best approach. I welcome other ideas for pest control within the walls.
The current construction appears to be:
- Wall paneling
- Drywall
- No moisture barrier
- Uninsulated stud cavity
- Plank sheathing with 1/8" to 1/4" horizontal gaps.
- ~Possibly a felt paper/house wrap, but unlikely
- Vinyl siding
My long-term plan will include new siding and will present an opportunity to address the possible lack of a house wrap, but I'm already working on the interior wall coverings, which means I'm probably 3-4 years out from addressing the siding. I'm curious if that time gap should influence how I approach insulating the walls. I'd also like to know whether or not I should consider installing a 4-6mil moisture barrier across the inside of the wall prior to installing drywall if my future may include a house wrap. I worry that doing so will create a moist environment within the stud cavity.
I've come up with a few plans of attack, but I would love to have the insight of someone with a building science background. Please feel free to provide an alternate plan.
OTHER NOTES: The house is located in a rural wooded area in climate zone 4A, but the next county over is 5A.
Option 1:
- Finished drywall
- Moisture barrier (4-6 Mil)
- Encapsulated fiberglass (no vapor retarder)
- Canned spray foam in plank sheathing cracks or other solution
- -3 to 4 year gap-
- New siding (possibly a Hardie product) with house wrap
- Finished drywall
- No moisture barrier
- Encapsulated fiberglass (no vapor retarder)
- Canned spray foam in plank sheathing cracks or other solution
- -3 to 4 year gap-
- New siding (possibly a Hardie product) with house wrap
- Finished drywall
- Moisture barrier (4-6 Mil)
- Encapsulated fiberglass (no vapor retarder)
- Canned spray foam in plank sheathing cracks or other solution
- -3 to 4 year gap-
- New siding (possibly a Hardie product) without house wrap
Advice is greatly appreciated!
-J