[Greenbuilding] Insulating walls in (old) wood framed house without vapor barrier? (Reuben Deumling)
Gordon West
gordon.west at rtnewmexico.com
Tue Nov 26 12:14:36 CST 2019
You will have no moisture problems if you:
Don’t put a vapor barrier on the outside of the wall;
Use cellulose insulation.
Best, Gordon
> On Nov 26, 2019, at 11:00 AM, greenbuilding-request at lists.bioenergylists.org wrote:
>
> Send Greenbuilding mailing list submissions to
> greenbuilding at lists.bioenergylists.org
>
> To subscribe or unsubscribe via the World Wide Web, visit
> http://lists.bioenergylists.org/mailman/listinfo/greenbuilding_lists.bioenergylists.org
>
> or, via email, send a message with subject or body 'help' to
> greenbuilding-request at lists.bioenergylists.org
>
> You can reach the person managing the list at
> greenbuilding-owner at lists.bioenergylists.org
>
> When replying, please edit your Subject line so it is more specific
> than "Re: Contents of Greenbuilding digest..."
>
>
> Today's Topics:
>
> 1. Insulating walls in (old) wood framed house without vapor
> barrier? (Reuben Deumling)
> 2. Re: Insulating walls in (old) wood framed house without vapor
> barrier? (Mike O'Brien)
> 3. Re: Insulating walls in (old) wood framed house without vapor
> barrier? (Clarke Olsen)
> 4. Re: Insulating walls in (old) wood framed house without vapor
> barrier? (Reuben Deumling)
> 5. Re: Insulating walls in (old) wood framed house without vapor
> barrier? (Joe Killian)
> 6. Re: Insulating walls in (old) wood framed house without vapor
> barrier? (Reuben Deumling)
> 7. Re: Insulating walls in (old) wood framed house without vapor
> barrier? (john salmen)
> 8. Re: Insulating walls in (old) wood framed house without vapor
> barrier? (john salmen)
> 9. Re: Insulating walls in (old) wood framed house without vapor
> barrier? (John Straube)
> 10. Re: Insulating walls in (old) wood framed house without vapor
> barrier? (Reuben Deumling)
>
>
> ----------------------------------------------------------------------
>
> Message: 1
> Date: Mon, 25 Nov 2019 20:03:38 -0800
> From: Reuben Deumling <9watts at gmail.com>
> To: Greenbuilding <greenbuilding at lists.bioenergylists.org>
> Subject: [Greenbuilding] Insulating walls in (old) wood framed house
> without vapor barrier?
> Message-ID:
> <CAE5fceAY_YF1=JVSWKhyU+W3M70jGjfGDHnhJfiMR_172WKvww at mail.gmail.com>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="utf-8"
>
> I realize this list has gone silent, but in the hope that some of you smart
> greenbuilding folks are still out there, receiving this email, I would like
> to pick your brains. A correspondent from Illinois has been cautioned by
> five(!) "very experienced people' not to insulate the walls in an old house:
>
> In the attic, yes. We are not going to put it in the walls. After talking
> to multiple old house restorers who have been in the trade 40 years or
> more, they all say one thing, that due to lack of a vapor barrier, it will
> trap moisture and rot the framing in the walls. They did a lot of
> insulating in the 1970's, and then a great deal of structural repairs in
> the 1990's on those houses.
>
> I suggested he try to find a second opinion. Please share your wisdom.
>
> Thanks very much
> Reuben Deumling (who joined this list almost twenty(!) years ago.)
> -------------- next part --------------
> An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
> URL: <http://lists.bioenergylists.org/pipermail/greenbuilding_lists.bioenergylists.org/attachments/20191125/bb89e68f/attachment-0001.html>
>
> ------------------------------
>
> Message: 2
> Date: Mon, 25 Nov 2019 21:09:21 -0800
> From: Mike O'Brien <obrien at hevanet.com>
> To: Green Building <greenbuilding at lists.bioenergylists.org>
> Subject: Re: [Greenbuilding] Insulating walls in (old) wood framed
> house without vapor barrier?
> Message-ID: <A328F4C2-3C95-4C5E-B183-26CA2BA3CAE8 at hevanet.com>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="utf-8"
>
> Hi, Reuben?
>
> It would make sense to install vapor retarders and air barriers to keep moisture out of the walls, where it will condense during winter. Are the local guys saying that can?t be done? Or even if it could they still would not insulate the walls?
>
> Usually our old frame buildings have shingles or board siding over shiplap, not plywood or OSB, so in our climate a wall can transfer moisture to the outside. Are these walls different?
>
> Best, Mike
> Sent from my iPhone
>
>> On Nov 25, 2019, at 8:06 PM, Reuben Deumling <9watts at gmail.com> wrote:
>>
>> ?I realize this list has gone silent, but in the hope that some of you smart greenbuilding folks are still out there, receiving this email, I would like to pick your brains. A correspondent from Illinois has been cautioned by five(!) "very experienced people' not to insulate the walls in an old house:
>>
>> In the attic, yes. We are not going to put it in the walls. After talking to multiple old house restorers who have been in the trade 40 years or more, they all say one thing, that due to lack of a vapor barrier, it will trap moisture and rot the framing in the walls. They did a lot of insulating in the 1970's, and then a great deal of structural repairs in the 1990's on those houses.
>>
>> I suggested he try to find a second opinion. Please share your wisdom.
>>
>> Thanks very much
>> Reuben Deumling (who joined this list almost twenty(!) years ago.)
>>
>> _______________________________________________
>> Greenbuilding mailing list
>> to Send a Message to the list, use the email address
>> Greenbuilding at bioenergylists.org
>>
>> to UNSUBSCRIBE or Change your List Settings use the web page
>> http://lists.bioenergylists.org/mailman/listinfo/greenbuilding_lists.bioenergylists.org
> -------------- next part --------------
> An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
> URL: <http://lists.bioenergylists.org/pipermail/greenbuilding_lists.bioenergylists.org/attachments/20191125/927cea2b/attachment-0001.html>
>
> ------------------------------
>
> Message: 3
> Date: Tue, 26 Nov 2019 00:11:02 -0500
> From: Clarke Olsen <prismoidal at gmail.com>
> To: Green Building <greenbuilding at lists.bioenergylists.org>
> Subject: Re: [Greenbuilding] Insulating walls in (old) wood framed
> house without vapor barrier?
> Message-ID: <57382591-1187-4A47-93B6-DDD2C7649A77 at fairpoint.net>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="utf-8"
>
> Gave me a turn? I blew cellulose into the walls of an 1852 church 43 years ago. So far so good: there is really no reason
> for moisture to be trapped in the walls. We also painted it in ?75 (last was 1910),and the paint never peeled; just started to powder
> after 17 years. It did (does) have a 10/16 pitch, a good overhang, and nice clear 1 inch board & batten siding.
>
> Clarke Olsen
> clarkeolsendesign.com
> 373 route 203
> Spencertown, NY 12165
> USA
> 518-392-4640
> colsen at taconic.net
>
>
>
>
>
>> On Nov 25, 2019, at 11:03 PM, Reuben Deumling <9watts at gmail.com> wrote:
>>
>> I realize this list has gone silent, but in the hope that some of you smart greenbuilding folks are still out there, receiving this email, I would like to pick your brains. A correspondent from Illinois has been cautioned by five(!) "very experienced people' not to insulate the walls in an old house:
>>
>> In the attic, yes. We are not going to put it in the walls. After talking to multiple old house restorers who have been in the trade 40 years or more, they all say one thing, that due to lack of a vapor barrier, it will trap moisture and rot the framing in the walls. They did a lot of insulating in the 1970's, and then a great deal of structural repairs in the 1990's on those houses.
>>
>> I suggested he try to find a second opinion. Please share your wisdom.
>>
>> Thanks very much
>> Reuben Deumling (who joined this list almost twenty(!) years ago.)
>>
>> _______________________________________________
>> Greenbuilding mailing list
>> to Send a Message to the list, use the email address
>> Greenbuilding at bioenergylists.org
>>
>> to UNSUBSCRIBE or Change your List Settings use the web page
>> http://lists.bioenergylists.org/mailman/listinfo/greenbuilding_lists.bioenergylists.org
>
>
>
>
>
>
> -------------- next part --------------
> An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
> URL: <http://lists.bioenergylists.org/pipermail/greenbuilding_lists.bioenergylists.org/attachments/20191126/215e2c58/attachment-0001.html>
>
> ------------------------------
>
> Message: 4
> Date: Mon, 25 Nov 2019 21:58:49 -0800
> From: Reuben Deumling <9watts at gmail.com>
> To: Green Building <greenbuilding at lists.bioenergylists.org>
> Subject: Re: [Greenbuilding] Insulating walls in (old) wood framed
> house without vapor barrier?
> Message-ID:
> <CAE5fceB6p3ocjzsLDhCTqroOc+hVTJx=vGYORhxRSTRgrEHqZw at mail.gmail.com>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="utf-8"
>
> I could imagine that a vapor barrier would be beneficial, though I skipped
> it on my stick framed 1894 house. I am assuming that we are dealing with
> horizontal board siding, and that the folks he is listening to are saying
> /only insulate old walls if you also add a vapor barrier/
> My curiosity is whether by leaving off the vapor barrier, going with what
> you have, one would in fact be risking certain material deterioration?
> Wouldn't the insulation material play a role? Dense pack cellulose vs
> fiberglass batts?
>
> On Monday, November 25, 2019, Mike O'Brien <obrien at hevanet.com> wrote:
>
>> Hi, Reuben?
>>
>> It would make sense to install vapor retarders and air barriers to keep
>> moisture out of the walls, where it will condense during winter. Are the
>> local guys saying that can?t be done? Or even if it could they still would
>> not insulate the walls?
>>
>> Usually our old frame buildings have shingles or board siding over
>> shiplap, not plywood or OSB, so in our climate a wall can transfer moisture
>> to the outside. Are these walls different?
>>
>> Best, Mike
>> Sent from my iPhone
>>
>> On Nov 25, 2019, at 8:06 PM, Reuben Deumling <9watts at gmail.com> wrote:
>>
>> ?I realize this list has gone silent, but in the hope that some of you
>> smart greenbuilding folks are still out there, receiving this email, I
>> would like to pick your brains. A correspondent from Illinois has been
>> cautioned by five(!) "very experienced people' not to insulate the walls in
>> an old house:
>>
>> In the attic, yes. We are not going to put it in the walls. After talking
>> to multiple old house restorers who have been in the trade 40 years or
>> more, they all say one thing, that due to lack of a vapor barrier, it will
>> trap moisture and rot the framing in the walls. They did a lot of
>> insulating in the 1970's, and then a great deal of structural repairs in
>> the 1990's on those houses.
>>
>> I suggested he try to find a second opinion. Please share your wisdom.
>>
>> Thanks very much
>> Reuben Deumling (who joined this list almost twenty(!) years ago.)
>>
>> _______________________________________________
>> Greenbuilding mailing list
>> to Send a Message to the list, use the email address
>> Greenbuilding at bioenergylists.org
>>
>> to UNSUBSCRIBE or Change your List Settings use the web page
>> http://lists.bioenergylists.org/mailman/listinfo/greenbuilding_lists.
>> bioenergylists.org
>>
>>
> -------------- next part --------------
> An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
> URL: <http://lists.bioenergylists.org/pipermail/greenbuilding_lists.bioenergylists.org/attachments/20191125/69e9c71e/attachment-0001.html>
>
> ------------------------------
>
> Message: 5
> Date: Mon, 25 Nov 2019 22:08:04 -0800
> From: Joe Killian <kaa-ajk at sonic.net>
> To: greenbuilding at lists.bioenergylists.org
> Subject: Re: [Greenbuilding] Insulating walls in (old) wood framed
> house without vapor barrier?
> Message-ID: <4dcc3689-e5cf-2c45-b037-75b0f7be6328 at sonic.net>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="utf-8"; Format="flowed"
>
> Reuben,
>
> ? Is the insulation type a vapor barrier?? Could make all the difference.
>
> ? I think one of the best descriptions I've seen for wall construction
> is at buildingscience.com
> https://www.buildingscience.com/documents/insights/bsi-001-the-perfect-wall
> https://www.buildingscience.com/documents/building-science-insights-newsletters/bsi-090-joseph-haydn-does-perfect-wall
>
> ? Just adding insulation without considering the water & air & vapor
> issues could easily lead to the damage reported by the house restorers.?
> Understanding and addressing the whole picture to arrive at a properly
> functioning wall would be the ticket. That could well mean doing more
> than just blowing insulation into the walls.
>
> Joe
>
> On 11/25/2019 8:03 PM, Reuben Deumling wrote:
>> I realize this list has gone silent, but in the hope that some of you
>> smart greenbuilding folks are still out there, receiving this email, I
>> would like to pick your brains. A correspondent from Illinois has been
>> cautioned by five(!) "very experienced people' not to insulate the
>> walls in an old house:
>>
>> In the attic, yes. We are not going to put it in the walls. After
>> talking to multiple old house restorers who have been in the trade 40
>> years or more, they all say one thing, that due to lack of a vapor
>> barrier, it will trap moisture and rot the framing in the walls. They
>> did a lot of insulating in the 1970's, and then a great deal of
>> structural repairs in the 1990's on those houses.
>>
>> I suggested he try to find a second opinion. Please share your wisdom.
>>
>> Thanks very much
>> Reuben Deumling (who joined this list almost twenty(!) years ago.)
>>
>>
>> _______________________________________________
>> Greenbuilding mailing list
>> to Send a Message to the list, use the email address
>> Greenbuilding at bioenergylists.org
>>
>> to UNSUBSCRIBE or Change your List Settings use the web page
>> http://lists.bioenergylists.org/mailman/listinfo/greenbuilding_lists.bioenergylists.org
> -------------- next part --------------
> An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
> URL: <http://lists.bioenergylists.org/pipermail/greenbuilding_lists.bioenergylists.org/attachments/20191125/1a1d3e00/attachment-0001.html>
>
> ------------------------------
>
> Message: 6
> Date: Mon, 25 Nov 2019 22:29:28 -0800
> From: Reuben Deumling <9watts at gmail.com>
> To: Green Building <greenbuilding at lists.bioenergylists.org>
> Subject: Re: [Greenbuilding] Insulating walls in (old) wood framed
> house without vapor barrier?
> Message-ID:
> <CAE5fceC7Bv7aZC1XKeffNCWLPWMRDYaE5YpQBMAuBaKrbkBU0Q at mail.gmail.com>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="utf-8"
>
> I really enjoy everything by Joe Latiburek, and was thinking of him when I
> asked the question. Thank you for those links. I will need to read them
> more closely than I did just now.
>
> On Monday, November 25, 2019, Joe Killian <kaa-ajk at sonic.net> wrote:
>
>> Reuben,
>>
>> Is the insulation type a vapor barrier? Could make all the difference.
>>
>> I think one of the best descriptions I've seen for wall construction is
>> at buildingscience.com
>> https://www.buildingscience.com/documents/insights/bsi-
>> 001-the-perfect-wall
>> https://www.buildingscience.com/documents/building-
>> science-insights-newsletters/bsi-090-joseph-haydn-does-perfect-wall
>>
>> Just adding insulation without considering the water & air & vapor
>> issues could easily lead to the damage reported by the house restorers.
>> Understanding and addressing the whole picture to arrive at a properly
>> functioning wall would be the ticket. That could well mean doing more than
>> just blowing insulation into the walls.
>>
>> Joe
>> On 11/25/2019 8:03 PM, Reuben Deumling wrote:
>>
>> I realize this list has gone silent, but in the hope that some of you
>> smart greenbuilding folks are still out there, receiving this email, I
>> would like to pick your brains. A correspondent from Illinois has been
>> cautioned by five(!) "very experienced people' not to insulate the walls in
>> an old house:
>>
>> In the attic, yes. We are not going to put it in the walls. After talking
>> to multiple old house restorers who have been in the trade 40 years or
>> more, they all say one thing, that due to lack of a vapor barrier, it will
>> trap moisture and rot the framing in the walls. They did a lot of
>> insulating in the 1970's, and then a great deal of structural repairs in
>> the 1990's on those houses.
>>
>> I suggested he try to find a second opinion. Please share your wisdom.
>>
>> Thanks very much
>> Reuben Deumling (who joined this list almost twenty(!) years ago.)
>>
>>
>> _______________________________________________
>> Greenbuilding mailing list
>> to Send a Message to the list, use the email addressGreenbuilding at bioenergylists.org
>>
>> to UNSUBSCRIBE or Change your List Settings use the web pagehttp://lists.bioenergylists.org/mailman/listinfo/greenbuilding_lists.bioenergylists.org
>>
>>
> -------------- next part --------------
> An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
> URL: <http://lists.bioenergylists.org/pipermail/greenbuilding_lists.bioenergylists.org/attachments/20191125/23b7debe/attachment-0001.html>
>
> ------------------------------
>
> Message: 7
> Date: Mon, 25 Nov 2019 22:34:46 -0800
> From: "john salmen" <terrain at shaw.ca>
> To: "'Green Building'" <greenbuilding at lists.bioenergylists.org>
> Subject: Re: [Greenbuilding] Insulating walls in (old) wood framed
> house without vapor barrier?
> Message-ID: <005901d5a423$9e13b540$da3b1fc0$@shaw.ca>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="utf-8"
>
> I don?t know about smart but still around. I just got to the point where you build structure and you put all the protection outside of that (including insulation). This works well for a restoration ? may not be aesthetically pleasing but can?t have everything.
>
>
>
> John
>
>
>
> stationdesign
>
> 4465 UPHILL RD DUNCAN
>
> BC V9L6M7 250 246 8541
>
>
>
> From: Greenbuilding <greenbuilding-bounces at lists.bioenergylists.org> On Behalf Of Reuben Deumling
> Sent: November 25, 2019 8:04 PM
> To: Greenbuilding <greenbuilding at lists.bioenergylists.org>
> Subject: [Greenbuilding] Insulating walls in (old) wood framed house without vapor barrier?
>
>
>
> I realize this list has gone silent, but in the hope that some of you smart greenbuilding folks are still out there, receiving this email, I would like to pick your brains. A correspondent from Illinois has been cautioned by five(!) "very experienced people' not to insulate the walls in an old house:
>
>
>
> In the attic, yes. We are not going to put it in the walls. After talking to multiple old house restorers who have been in the trade 40 years or more, they all say one thing, that due to lack of a vapor barrier, it will trap moisture and rot the framing in the walls. They did a lot of insulating in the 1970's, and then a great deal of structural repairs in the 1990's on those houses.
>
>
>
> I suggested he try to find a second opinion. Please share your wisdom.
>
>
>
> Thanks very much
>
> Reuben Deumling (who joined this list almost twenty(!) years ago.)
>
>
>
> -------------- next part --------------
> An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
> URL: <http://lists.bioenergylists.org/pipermail/greenbuilding_lists.bioenergylists.org/attachments/20191125/760ffc26/attachment-0001.html>
>
> ------------------------------
>
> Message: 8
> Date: Mon, 25 Nov 2019 22:40:52 -0800
> From: "john salmen" <terrain at shaw.ca>
> To: "'Green Building'" <greenbuilding at lists.bioenergylists.org>
> Subject: Re: [Greenbuilding] Insulating walls in (old) wood framed
> house without vapor barrier?
> Message-ID: <006d01d5a424$77f10600$67d31200$@shaw.ca>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="utf-8"
>
> Another thought ? the insulating in the 70?s ? they punched holes and blew in foam which would have led to a lot of problems at the time including urea formaldehyde toxicity.
>
>
>
> stationdesign
>
> 4465 UPHILL RD DUNCAN
>
> BC V9L6M7 250 246 8541
>
>
>
> From: Greenbuilding <greenbuilding-bounces at lists.bioenergylists.org> On Behalf Of Joe Killian
> Sent: November 25, 2019 10:08 PM
> To: greenbuilding at lists.bioenergylists.org
> Subject: Re: [Greenbuilding] Insulating walls in (old) wood framed house without vapor barrier?
>
>
>
> Reuben,
>
> Is the insulation type a vapor barrier? Could make all the difference.
>
> I think one of the best descriptions I've seen for wall construction is at buildingscience.com
> https://www.buildingscience.com/documents/insights/bsi-001-the-perfect-wall
> https://www.buildingscience.com/documents/building-science-insights-newsletters/bsi-090-joseph-haydn-does-perfect-wall
>
> Just adding insulation without considering the water & air & vapor issues could easily lead to the damage reported by the house restorers. Understanding and addressing the whole picture to arrive at a properly functioning wall would be the ticket. That could well mean doing more than just blowing insulation into the walls.
>
> Joe
>
> On 11/25/2019 8:03 PM, Reuben Deumling wrote:
>
> I realize this list has gone silent, but in the hope that some of you smart greenbuilding folks are still out there, receiving this email, I would like to pick your brains. A correspondent from Illinois has been cautioned by five(!) "very experienced people' not to insulate the walls in an old house:
>
>
>
> In the attic, yes. We are not going to put it in the walls. After talking to multiple old house restorers who have been in the trade 40 years or more, they all say one thing, that due to lack of a vapor barrier, it will trap moisture and rot the framing in the walls. They did a lot of insulating in the 1970's, and then a great deal of structural repairs in the 1990's on those houses.
>
>
>
> I suggested he try to find a second opinion. Please share your wisdom.
>
>
>
> Thanks very much
>
> Reuben Deumling (who joined this list almost twenty(!) years ago.)
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> Greenbuilding mailing list
> to Send a Message to the list, use the email address
> Greenbuilding at bioenergylists.org <mailto:Greenbuilding at bioenergylists.org>
>
> to UNSUBSCRIBE or Change your List Settings use the web page
> http://lists.bioenergylists.org/mailman/listinfo/greenbuilding_lists.bioenergylists.org
>
> -------------- next part --------------
> An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
> URL: <http://lists.bioenergylists.org/pipermail/greenbuilding_lists.bioenergylists.org/attachments/20191125/ff38d48d/attachment-0001.html>
>
> ------------------------------
>
> Message: 9
> Date: Tue, 26 Nov 2019 13:28:58 +0000
> From: John Straube <jfstraube at uwaterloo.ca>
> To: Green Building <greenbuilding at lists.bioenergylists.org>
> Subject: Re: [Greenbuilding] Insulating walls in (old) wood framed
> house without vapor barrier?
> Message-ID: <843D3B46-CC1D-407E-9974-E6AAA56CDBBD at uwaterloo.ca>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="utf-8"
>
> too simple to say ?can be? or ?cant be?
> It depends. on the wall assembly, materials, interior climate, exterior climate and exposure.
> Lots and lots of ?old" homes have been insulated, the vast majority successfully.
>
> So what is the wall made of? How old? What is the interior RH in the winter? Rain exposure?
> In most cases down in cellulose combined with a good air sealing job on the inside works very well with low low risk
>
>> On Nov 25, 2019, at 23:03, Reuben Deumling <9watts at gmail.com> wrote:
>>
>> I realize this list has gone silent, but in the hope that some of you smart greenbuilding folks are still out there, receiving this email, I would like to pick your brains. A correspondent from Illinois has been cautioned by five(!) "very experienced people' not to insulate the walls in an old house:
>>
>> In the attic, yes. We are not going to put it in the walls. After talking to multiple old house restorers who have been in the trade 40 years or more, they all say one thing, that due to lack of a vapor barrier, it will trap moisture and rot the framing in the walls. They did a lot of insulating in the 1970's, and then a great deal of structural repairs in the 1990's on those houses.
>>
>> I suggested he try to find a second opinion. Please share your wisdom.
>>
>> Thanks very much
>> Reuben Deumling (who joined this list almost twenty(!) years ago.)
>>
>> _______________________________________________
>> Greenbuilding mailing list
>> to Send a Message to the list, use the email address
>> Greenbuilding at bioenergylists.org
>>
>> to UNSUBSCRIBE or Change your List Settings use the web page
>> http://lists.bioenergylists.org/mailman/listinfo/greenbuilding_lists.bioenergylists.org
>
> Dr John F Straube, P.Eng.
> jfstraube at uwaterloo.ca
> www.JohnStraube.com
>
>
>
>
>
> ------------------------------
>
> Message: 10
> Date: Tue, 26 Nov 2019 07:57:08 -0800
> From: Reuben Deumling <9watts at gmail.com>
> To: Green Building <greenbuilding at lists.bioenergylists.org>
> Subject: Re: [Greenbuilding] Insulating walls in (old) wood framed
> house without vapor barrier?
> Message-ID:
> <CAE5fceChztBVx9y_8d3NcZG1mABsAApbWTeksJj6h5_fW5T4Gw at mail.gmail.com>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="utf-8"
>
> On Tuesday, November 26, 2019, John Straube <jfstraube at uwaterloo.ca> wrote:
>
>> too simple to say ?can be? or ?cant be?
>> It depends. on the wall assembly, materials, interior climate, exterior
>> climate and exposure.
>> Lots and lots of ?old" homes have been insulated, the vast majority
>> successfully.
>>
>> So what is the wall made of? How old? What is the interior RH in the
>> winter? Rain exposure?
>
>
>
> 1912 bungalow in Kampsville, Illinois. Wood 2x4 studs, tightly spaced
> horizontal wood siding (clapboard), double hung windows. It has a deep
> wraparound porch oriented S and W, but not a lot of trees right near the
> house and flat country so I assume some of the walls are plenty exposed.
> Interior RH in winter I would have to make an uneducated guess so I won"t.
> I don't know the interior wall surfaces but am assuming lath and plaster.
>
>
>
>> In most cases down in cellulose combined with a good air sealing job on
>> the inside works very well with low low risk
>
>
> That was my gut feeling but I have not thought of authoritative ways of
> making this case so am turning to you folks. Thanks for all the points so
> far.
>
>>
>>> On Nov 25, 2019, at 23:03, Reuben Deumling <9watts at gmail.com> wrote:
>>>
>>> I realize this list has gone silent, but in the hope that some of you
>> smart greenbuilding folks are still out there, receiving this email, I
>> would like to pick your brains. A correspondent from Illinois has been
>> cautioned by five(!) "very experienced people' not to insulate the walls in
>> an old house:
>>>
>>> In the attic, yes. We are not going to put it in the walls. After
>> talking to multiple old house restorers who have been in the trade 40 years
>> or more, they all say one thing, that due to lack of a vapor barrier, it
>> will trap moisture and rot the framing in the walls. They did a lot of
>> insulating in the 1970's, and then a great deal of structural repairs in
>> the 1990's on those houses.
>>>
>>> I suggested he try to find a second opinion. Please share your wisdom.
>>>
>>> Thanks very much
>>> Reuben Deumling (who joined this list almost twenty(!) years ago.)
>>>
>>> _______________________________________________
>>> Greenbuilding mailing list
>>> to Send a Message to the list, use the email address
>>> Greenbuilding at bioenergylists.org
>>>
>>> to UNSUBSCRIBE or Change your List Settings use the web page
>>> http://lists.bioenergylists.org/mailman/listinfo/greenbuilding_lists.
>> bioenergylists.org
>>
>> Dr John F Straube, P.Eng.
>> jfstraube at uwaterloo.ca
>> www.JohnStraube.com
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> _______________________________________________
>> Greenbuilding mailing list
>> to Send a Message to the list, use the email address
>> Greenbuilding at bioenergylists.org
>>
>> to UNSUBSCRIBE or Change your List Settings use the web page
>> http://lists.bioenergylists.org/mailman/listinfo/greenbuilding_lists.
>> bioenergylists.org
>>
> -------------- next part --------------
> An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
> URL: <http://lists.bioenergylists.org/pipermail/greenbuilding_lists.bioenergylists.org/attachments/20191126/991ddd23/attachment-0001.html>
>
> ------------------------------
>
> Subject: Digest Footer
>
> _______________________________________________
> Greenbuilding mailing list
> to Send a Message to the list, use the email address
> Greenbuilding at bioenergylists.org
>
> to UNSUBSCRIBE or Change your List Settings use the web page
> http://lists.bioenergylists.org/mailman/listinfo/greenbuilding_lists.bioenergylists.org
>
>
> ------------------------------
>
> End of Greenbuilding Digest, Vol 99, Issue 1
> ********************************************
-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: <http://lists.bioenergylists.org/pipermail/greenbuilding_lists.bioenergylists.org/attachments/20191126/10d0f716/attachment.html>
More information about the Greenbuilding
mailing list