Hello!
We are in the process of renovating our summer cottage. It was built in the '80s. Since it will only be heated to 8-10 degrees in the winter and there is no shower or even running water in the cottage, we were thinking of keeping the wood paneling on the inside walls and the tar paper (is that what it's called?) that is behind the paneling. So, not adding a vapor barrier. Then there will be 14 cm of insulation, vapor-open windproof paper, air gap, wood paneling. But are we making a mistake/being foolishly frugal?
Should we tear out the inner paneling and the old tar paper and install a vapor barrier and new paneling? I've read somewhere that old paper can smell bad, is this true? It currently smells strongly of cabin scent, but we believe this is coming from the furniture since the cabin has been unheated for over 30 years.
Best regards
We are in the process of renovating our summer cottage. It was built in the '80s. Since it will only be heated to 8-10 degrees in the winter and there is no shower or even running water in the cottage, we were thinking of keeping the wood paneling on the inside walls and the tar paper (is that what it's called?) that is behind the paneling. So, not adding a vapor barrier. Then there will be 14 cm of insulation, vapor-open windproof paper, air gap, wood paneling. But are we making a mistake/being foolishly frugal?
Should we tear out the inner paneling and the old tar paper and install a vapor barrier and new paneling? I've read somewhere that old paper can smell bad, is this true? It currently smells strongly of cabin scent, but we believe this is coming from the furniture since the cabin has been unheated for over 30 years.Best regards
I understand that you are adding new insulation on the outside and plan to keep the inside as is. Is it that you don't intend to stay in the cabin during winter and therefore think you won't generate moisture that will condense somewhere in the wall? I would think that at some point you might visit the cabin during winter and then you heat up the cabin more, with some wet snowy clothes in the hallway and some cooking, and then there is a large amount of moisture in the warm indoor air that condenses in the wall. It will probably disappear when you go home, but who knows how the house will be used in the future? Installing a vapor barrier requires being very meticulous with taping everywhere; there could be problems around electrical boxes, etc., and reviewing ventilation.
Regarding the smell, it is probably in both the furniture and the walls. The smell can be removed with an ozone generator.
Regarding the smell, it is probably in both the furniture and the walls. The smell can be removed with an ozone generator.
Thanks for the reply!
Yes, exactly, we are removing the facade, windows, doors, and the floor down to the trossbotten.
Currently, it is from the inside out: wooden panel, tar paper, 70 mm gullfiber insulation, wooden facade. We are thinking of changing it to: wooden panel, tar paper, 70 mm gullfiber insulation (that is, the existing), adding another 70 mm of insulation, diff open wind barrier, air gap, wooden facade. We were advised that since we only have 140 mm of insulation, the theoretical condensation point (correct term?) will be outside the insulation, and with only maintenance heating and occasional visits in the winter, we should not use plastic. The cabin is only 35 m2, so not really for year-round living.
But now, as mentioned, we are beginning to doubt whether it's a mistake not to change the inside as well, as one is so accustomed to having plastic.
Best regards
Yes, exactly, we are removing the facade, windows, doors, and the floor down to the trossbotten.
Currently, it is from the inside out: wooden panel, tar paper, 70 mm gullfiber insulation, wooden facade. We are thinking of changing it to: wooden panel, tar paper, 70 mm gullfiber insulation (that is, the existing), adding another 70 mm of insulation, diff open wind barrier, air gap, wooden facade. We were advised that since we only have 140 mm of insulation, the theoretical condensation point (correct term?
) will be outside the insulation, and with only maintenance heating and occasional visits in the winter, we should not use plastic. The cabin is only 35 m2, so not really for year-round living.But now, as mentioned, we are beginning to doubt whether it's a mistake not to change the inside as well, as one is so accustomed to having plastic.
Best regards