Damp barrier in summer house

[GoEk]

Hello,
I'm in the process of building a holiday home based on a timber frame from the 1800s, and I'm wondering about moisture barriers. A house like this will mostly stand and vary with the outside temperature, and it feels a bit awkward to "enclose the entire interior in plastic." Older carpenters I've had there are very skeptical of these "modernities." Of course, there should be supply and exhaust air, aiming for 125mm with intake near the floor by the stove and out high at the other end. Is this sufficient, or will the entire interior end up rotting away?

Best regards
Göran

 

[jon_h]

You absolutely should not wrap that kåken in plastic.

 

[Glebeng]

Hi!

Exactly - if anything is going to take down this house, it's wrapping it in plastic.
Without plastic, it will last another hundred years. Deep dive on log houses before deciding.
Glenn

 

[GoEk]

OK, you understand that I mean the moisture barrier layer directly inside the inner wall board, then insulation, wind barrier, and timber frame? I mean, the theory of a moisture barrier sounds reasonable, i.e., not allowing condensed moisture in the heated indoor air to go into the insulation and outer wall without being vented out. My concern was based on the house not being permanently heated with active ventilation, is that the basis for your hesitation?

 

[snickarboden]

The theory of the vapor barrier assumes, as you mentioned, that the house is permanently heated, that the ventilation is controlled, and that the vapor barrier is completely airtight.
Personally, I would also take it easy with the insulation and not go over 100 mm.

/Kent

 

[GoEk]

Thanks Kent, I'll probably skip the plastic. I managed to get plastic in the ceiling but it should be OK anyway, the insulation is airily ventilated against the råsponten. I've installed 265mm insulation in the ceiling, the interior walls are framed with 50x100 but the surface of the timmer walls is not completely flat so I'm expecting mostly 120 insulation, with some pieces being 145.

Best regards,
Göran