Hello,
My house was built in the 70s. Behind the vertical paneling, there is no wind paper. The insulation is directly after the paneling, which has batten boards. Everything looks dry and fine. My thought is to add some form of wind paper, not add extra insulation, and then reattach the boards.
A) Do I need an air gap between the wind paper and the panel, and if so, why? It is already dry and fine now.
B) If I don't need an air gap, why not?
Could it be that the batten boards have "functioned" as an air gap? From what I've read, there are some who think you shouldn't change if it has worked before, but now the construction is being changed.
WCJ
My house was built in the 70s. Behind the vertical paneling, there is no wind paper. The insulation is directly after the paneling, which has batten boards. Everything looks dry and fine. My thought is to add some form of wind paper, not add extra insulation, and then reattach the boards.
A) Do I need an air gap between the wind paper and the panel, and if so, why? It is already dry and fine now.
B) If I don't need an air gap, why not?
Could it be that the batten boards have "functioned" as an air gap? From what I've read, there are some who think you shouldn't change if it has worked before, but now the construction is being changed.
WCJ
If it has worked for 40 years, it should work going forward as well. As you suspect, the fascia boards have solved the ventilation. It is only in recent years that an extra venting batten has been added.
If you're going to tear down the panel, you might as well add a venting batten while you're at it.
Why don't you take the opportunity to add extra insulation?
If you're going to tear down the panel, you might as well add a venting batten while you're at it.
Why don't you take the opportunity to add extra insulation?
Thank you for the response!
My neighbors, who have similar houses, have only used either asfaboard(?) or wind paper and feel that this has helped. They also do not use any air gap. So I'm doing the same as them... Their renovations have taken place relatively recently, so I cannot evaluate if this has damaged the houses or if any moisture has come in.
I can imagine that it has been a smooth solution not to make the wall thicker, because otherwise, you would have to fix it around the windows.
It is not entirely impossible that there will be an air gap after all, a 22x45 stud should be enough, right?
Any particular paper recommended?
My neighbors, who have similar houses, have only used either asfaboard(?) or wind paper and feel that this has helped. They also do not use any air gap. So I'm doing the same as them... Their renovations have taken place relatively recently, so I cannot evaluate if this has damaged the houses or if any moisture has come in.
I can imagine that it has been a smooth solution not to make the wall thicker, because otherwise, you would have to fix it around the windows.
It is not entirely impossible that there will be an air gap after all, a 22x45 stud should be enough, right?
Any particular paper recommended?
However, the question remains, if it is dry and in good condition without rot damage, you gain nothing by removing the panel from the outside;
* it risks cracking if it has been up for 40 years
* you will likely have larger nail holes, or some nails will go straight through the panel
* you will have to spend money on new panel boards
* it will require a total repaint
The only benefit is that you minimize the risk of air potentially blowing into the insulation, but the potential energy losses are minimal compared to the work you have to perform.
* it risks cracking if it has been up for 40 years
* you will likely have larger nail holes, or some nails will go straight through the panel
* you will have to spend money on new panel boards
* it will require a total repaint
The only benefit is that you minimize the risk of air potentially blowing into the insulation, but the potential energy losses are minimal compared to the work you have to perform.
Wind barrier or asfaboard/outdoor gypsum depends on how many of you are going to install it. You can handle an asfaboard panel by yourself - it's a bit trickier with wind barrier. Functionally, it's pretty much the same.
I believe it's usually recommended to use 34 mm battens, but you still have to fix around the windows
I believe it's usually recommended to use 34 mm battens, but you still have to fix around the windows
Interesting points made by AndersS. The painting will still be done, but the other aspects are worth reconsidering. I'll probably need to talk to my neighbors again and try to get them to specify a bit more about the effects of only putting up wind barrier.
Regarding air blowing into the insulation, shouldn't the wind barrier make the insulation "work" significantly less, and thus the effect could be quite okay? On the other hand, wind doesn't exactly blow through a board!?
This is worth thinking about.
Regarding air blowing into the insulation, shouldn't the wind barrier make the insulation "work" significantly less, and thus the effect could be quite okay? On the other hand, wind doesn't exactly blow through a board!?
This is worth thinking about.
If we assume it's dry and without rot, then a wind barrier can improve things at least theoretically, but the cost of installing it and the labor involved cannot be recouped. However, if the panel starts to deteriorate so it's time to replace it, then of course you would install a wind barrier/fabric and also a batten. Or if you have the time, money, and want to do some carpentry, then it's okay to make improvements.