Author Topic: New siding and air sealing?  (Read 3552 times)

slugsworth

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New siding and air sealing?
« on: November 21, 2012, 04:12:44 PM »
So, I'm hiring out a project that is a  bit too big for me. I'm having a contractor replace my incredibly poorly installed vinyl siding with hardiboard lap siding. The house was build in the 1940's and despite numerous cans of great stuff is still fairly drafty.  I'm sure that the majority of the sheathing is actually wood boards, similar to shiplap but without the routed ends. 

Short of installing rigid insulation around the whole structure is their any ability to air seal or otherwise make improvements while the house is naked?

Thanks!

Jack

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Re: New siding and air sealing?
« Reply #1 on: November 21, 2012, 04:47:49 PM »
Why not install rigid insulation around the whole structure?

paddedhat

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Re: New siding and air sealing?
« Reply #2 on: November 21, 2012, 05:49:53 PM »
The walls should be properly wrapped in a house wrap. Use a quality product like Tyvek or Typar, and use proper installation techniques and sealing tapes. I'm sure there is plenty of info. to be found on either manufacturer's websites. Good housewrap isn't cheap, but it can make a stunning difference in this case. It's all about the details. If the stuff is installed right, it works well. If it looks like two drunk monkies with a slam stapler nailed it up, it just a waste of time and money.

slugsworth

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Re: New siding and air sealing?
« Reply #3 on: November 25, 2012, 06:30:48 PM »
@ Jack - I didn't think it would pay back. . . but to not be an ass I just ran a calculator and it looks like I may be wrong.  Depending on the labor cost it might be able to pay back in under 7 years.  I'm going to talk with my contractor and see what he might charge to do the upgrade. It it looks reasonable I'll report back.

@ PaddedHat, Thanks. Please ignore my ignorance, but given tyvek's breathability would it really help with air sealing?

Thanks! 


tooqk4u22

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Re: New siding and air sealing?
« Reply #4 on: November 26, 2012, 10:44:26 AM »
Tyvek serves a couple of purposes but note that ALL seams need to be taped - many contractors skip this step. 

Separately, I have heard that older homes are not designed to be perfectly air tight and when upgraded to be so ther can be issues with mold and air quality and other things but I don't have any facts on this.

Midwest

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Re: New siding and air sealing?
« Reply #5 on: November 26, 2012, 12:41:16 PM »
We added 1" of insulation last year when our siding was replaced.  Insulation was taped and caulked at the bottom.  The sided area was around 1000 square feet and the cost was around 800. 

Only the 2nd story of our house is sided, but it had previously been hotter on the 2nd floor during the summer and colder in the winter.  House is decidedly more comfortable since we made the investment.  We don't have enough data yet to calculate cost savings, but I would do it again in a heart beat due to the comfort.

Midwest