I am building a small beach house in Dalarna that will be unheated in the winter. What should I consider regarding materials and techniques for exterior walls and roof? The house will be insulated and I have heard that gypsum walls should be avoided. Why is that, if it's true? What should I use instead? What should I do about a vapor barrier?
You can build a normal construction, they usually work well, but preferably not too thick insulation. No vapor barrier.
I don't understand why one wouldn't have plasterboard, is it because it would mold? Then everything else made of organic material would also do that, not least the wallpaper on top of the plasterboard if you have such. No, go with plasterboard if you want it.
I don't understand why one wouldn't have plasterboard, is it because it would mold? Then everything else made of organic material would also do that, not least the wallpaper on top of the plasterboard if you have such. No, go with plasterboard if you want it.
Self-builder
· Stockholm
· 8 594 posts
I am working on a holiday home in Dalarna that will be cold set. I have skipped the vapor barrier so that the house can breathe, and will make sure that the water can be easily drained. Otherwise, there are no special measures.
Will probably have maintenance heat in the bathroom though to avoid frost damage to the mixers, and to avoid having to drain the VVB
/K
Will probably have maintenance heat in the bathroom though to avoid frost damage to the mixers, and to avoid having to drain the VVB
/K
Self-builder
· Stockholm
· 8 594 posts
What's so unusual about skipping the vapor barrier?
It's only been used for about 20 years, unlike going without it which has been used for a couple of thousand years
And what materials couldn't be used?
I've been in cabins with both plaster and wallpaper that have sometimes been unheated - no problems...
Joking aside - if you don't have too much insulation, and don't live in the house permanently (not adding warm humid air), it should not cause any problems whatsoever to skip the vapor barrier.
On the contrary. In an unheated house, moisture can otherwise condense from the outside in the spring.
Having permanently heated with solar vent + radiator - it's an alternative, especially if you can't build in another way - for example if there is already a vapor barrier.
However, you might need a substantial solar vent to ensure that the entire indoor air maintains a higher temperature than outside, right? Especially in winter/early spring when the sun is fairly weak... I was considering this myself - but I'm a bit skeptical about the ads I've seen. If an approx. 0.7x1 m solar panel is enough to heat an entire 40 sqm house to a 15-degree difference from outside (according to the information), then everyone should have one. Especially since it only costs around 5000 SEK.
I consider having a radiator on in an entirely empty house to be a waste of energy, both for economic and environmental reasons, at least if you can solve it by keeping it cold, or indeed if the solar solution now works, has anyone tried SolarVenti by the way?
/K
It's only been used for about 20 years, unlike going without it which has been used for a couple of thousand years
And what materials couldn't be used?
I've been in cabins with both plaster and wallpaper that have sometimes been unheated - no problems...
Joking aside - if you don't have too much insulation, and don't live in the house permanently (not adding warm humid air), it should not cause any problems whatsoever to skip the vapor barrier.
On the contrary. In an unheated house, moisture can otherwise condense from the outside in the spring.
Having permanently heated with solar vent + radiator - it's an alternative, especially if you can't build in another way - for example if there is already a vapor barrier.
However, you might need a substantial solar vent to ensure that the entire indoor air maintains a higher temperature than outside, right? Especially in winter/early spring when the sun is fairly weak... I was considering this myself - but I'm a bit skeptical about the ads I've seen. If an approx. 0.7x1 m solar panel is enough to heat an entire 40 sqm house to a 15-degree difference from outside (according to the information), then everyone should have one. Especially since it only costs around 5000 SEK.
I consider having a radiator on in an entirely empty house to be a waste of energy, both for economic and environmental reasons, at least if you can solve it by keeping it cold, or indeed if the solar solution now works, has anyone tried SolarVenti by the way?
/K
Self-builder
· Stockholm
· 8 594 posts
You'll need to explain that?jakim said:
It's also the case that moist air is not "dangerous" - meaning the moisture does not precipitate at lower temperatures (below +5 I believe), and that the air dries out (the moisture evaporates quickly enough) at about +10-12 degrees.
Now, the purpose of a heated house (besides comfort), with a vapor barrier, is that outdoor air should never be able to condense inside the insulation since the temperature inside the insulation is never that low. And if a solarventi cannot heat the house, the heater will always be on (= electricity consumption) and if you turn off the heater, the house will cool down and outdoor air can condense again.
So if a solarventi dries the air (which I am a bit skeptical about if the temperature drops enough), then it is good if you want to keep the indoor air a little drier? However, it does not protect the structure from moisture damage and mold!?
/K
I have framed the house with 45x95 and applied underlayment on the
roof and will now install the exterior panel.
There has been some discussion in the vicinity about the wall construction which has included things like air gap and boards inside the exterior panel etc.
Does anyone have a good suggestion for construction from the exterior panel
which will be a standing 21x120 with cover and inward to the interior cladding.
roof and will now install the exterior panel.
There has been some discussion in the vicinity about the wall construction which has included things like air gap and boards inside the exterior panel etc.
Does anyone have a good suggestion for construction from the exterior panel
which will be a standing 21x120 with cover and inward to the interior cladding.
Self-builder
· Stockholm
· 8 594 posts
This is how my house is constructed
Outer panel, air gap, wind barrier, insulation, inner wall (type chipboard/plasterboard)
/K
Outer panel, air gap, wind barrier, insulation, inner wall (type chipboard/plasterboard)
/K