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A tip for anyone who is upgrading an older house.
If you live in a house that was built pre 1955, there is a very good chance your home is built with 2x4 construction (also known as "stick framing). Although this old fir was fantastic - some was old-growth, true 2x4, with grain
If you live in a house that was built pre 1955, there is a very good chance your home is built with 2x4 construction (also known as "stick framing). Although this old fir was fantastic - some was old-growth, true 2x4, with grain
that you just can't find like that anymore (if you've ever attempted to drive a nail into one of these studs, you will know just how hard that wood is). It limits the homeowner to what they are able to do with their home in terms of insulating, and also poses potential problems
for roof structure as well.
If you are looking to renovate a house that is stick-framed, you need to be proactive in your thought process as to the correct manner and order you do your renovations.
If you are planning on upgrading windows and doors, perhaps siding while
If you are looking to renovate a house that is stick-framed, you need to be proactive in your thought process as to the correct manner and order you do your renovations.
If you are planning on upgrading windows and doors, perhaps siding while
adding some rigid insulation to the exterior - please keep in mind that you are "tightening up" a home that has hemmorraged thermal transfer for its entire life. Warm air has been flying out that home since it was built. Taking away that heat loss is fantastic, but keep in
mind that heat is like water - it will always find the path of least resistance.
Now, physics dictates that the warm, moist air in your living space is going to rise.
So now, all that warm air that used to fly out your windows and walls, now migrates to what is now the easiest
Now, physics dictates that the warm, moist air in your living space is going to rise.
So now, all that warm air that used to fly out your windows and walls, now migrates to what is now the easiest
path.
Your attic space.
Now, if you have one of those older homes, you more than likely also do not have a vapor barrier in the attic space. This means that the "moist" part of the warm, moist air will now find its way through your insulation and into the airspace above it.
Your attic space.
Now, if you have one of those older homes, you more than likely also do not have a vapor barrier in the attic space. This means that the "moist" part of the warm, moist air will now find its way through your insulation and into the airspace above it.
If you do not have enough venting in the roof to allow for the warm air to leave, the warm, moist air will migrate to the underside of your roof deck, and in the winter it will form frost on it.
So when we get our periods of -20C to -30C days strung together, there can be a
So when we get our periods of -20C to -30C days strung together, there can be a
significant amount of frost build up. And trust me, it doesn't take much to create a problem.
Now, in today's climate, we often get a period of 7 days of miserable cold, followed by a day that reaches -5C to maybe -8C. Well in your attic space (depending on your R-value) it
Now, in today's climate, we often get a period of 7 days of miserable cold, followed by a day that reaches -5C to maybe -8C. Well in your attic space (depending on your R-value) it
will be above 0C. This means that the frost will melt and find its way down to the exterior wall, or sometimes drip right down into the insulation.
Various types of attic spaces also exist (1-1/2 storey or 1-3/4 storey) and this will throw a wrench into how you not only
Various types of attic spaces also exist (1-1/2 storey or 1-3/4 storey) and this will throw a wrench into how you not only
insulate, but how you ventilate the attic.
Add to that the requirement for intake air to allow the warm, moist air to rise properly (many older homes do not have functional soffit, and as such the ability of the attic space to work properly is hampered completely), and often
Add to that the requirement for intake air to allow the warm, moist air to rise properly (many older homes do not have functional soffit, and as such the ability of the attic space to work properly is hampered completely), and often
you have a recipe for disaster if you do things in an improper order.
A reputable contractor should be asking YOU what your future plans are with an older home. They should be looking out for your best interest. Now, in saying that, it is incumbent upon you to know the facts
A reputable contractor should be asking YOU what your future plans are with an older home. They should be looking out for your best interest. Now, in saying that, it is incumbent upon you to know the facts
as well. There will be no restitution for you from a contractor, as the law does not stipulate that the contractor HAS to know or ask what you are planning next.
So be careful.
Right now, the industry is booming with renovations, and there will be a massive amount of people
So be careful.
Right now, the industry is booming with renovations, and there will be a massive amount of people
who are going to be very disappointed in their project(s) and their contractor(s) - we have already seen a great deal of that.
I know when I go to do a roof estimate for a homeowner who owns a pre 1960's house, if I see that they have older windows and older siding, the first
I know when I go to do a roof estimate for a homeowner who owns a pre 1960's house, if I see that they have older windows and older siding, the first
question I ask is if they have been experiencing any issues with leaking (at any time of the year), or if the home experiences ice-damming. I then ask if they have plans to upgrade any of the aforementioned variables, and explain to them the possibilities of what could happen
and the actions that can or should be taken to ensure they do not experience issues moving forward.
Each home is different, and may pose a particular problem, but as long as the contractor knows the building envelope and how it works, a plan of action can be taken
Each home is different, and may pose a particular problem, but as long as the contractor knows the building envelope and how it works, a plan of action can be taken
to protect you from future problems.
Sorry for the long thread, but I am seeing far too many people being affected by sub-par contractors, and it really upsets me.
A good contractor should be busy, so expect a long queue (especially siding), but know you are being protected.
Sorry for the long thread, but I am seeing far too many people being affected by sub-par contractors, and it really upsets me.
A good contractor should be busy, so expect a long queue (especially siding), but know you are being protected.
