Insulating Balloon Framed Walls With Clapboard Siding

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Insulating balloon framed walls with clapboard siding.

My wood frame house built in 1927 has wood shingles outside and plaster over rock lath inside. We have an 1870 s two story balloon framed house just outside boston. Kevin delahanty ghent ny. In the days of balloon framing house fires were all too common and most houses didn t survive long enough for the fire departments of the day to make much difference once they did get on site.

Contemplating having cellulose blown in. The wood clapboard siding is nailed directly to the studs. Find out how to insulate the exterior walls of your home. The original siding is a wood clap siding with a paper under it later the house was covered in a type of tar paper and wire mesh to add a 1 1 2 cement stucco in a brick pattern one piece shell to give you an idea of outside make up.

But if you use wood clapboard. Essentially anywhere there s trim there s moisture staining. I demo d a few rooms in a 1929 balloon framed home. Get tips on removing your existing wood siding going right to the studs putting on foam sheathing and then firring it out and residing it from there.

Alex wilson editor of environmental building news in brattleboro vermont and co author of consumer guide to home energy savings aceee 1998 replies. There were indications of prior moisture intrusion especially around windows and the outside corners. The foam on the outside keeps the wood frame inside the wall warm and dry in winter and repels outdoor heat and moisture in summer. What would be the best way to insulate the exterior walls without creating moisture problems peeling exterior paint wall construction is 2x4 framing what appears to be rocklathe with plaster and probably 15 coats of paint on the interior.

It is a wood balloon frame house with 1 thick sheathing boards 8 10 12 inches wide. Balloon frame houses are challenging to insulate and seal because the wall studs extend past the floors. There is no sheathing or vapor barrier on the exterior. A balloon frame doesn t have this break and so a fire that starts in the basement can easily and very quickly spread to every floor of the house.

There has never been insulation in the walls there is ample coverage is in the attic. It adds up to a robust system. What is the best way to insulate this type of house. Is it safe to put insulation in the walls or will i get water vapor condensing in the insulation causing mold and rot problems.

Learn why 1 inch is the thickness that you want for your insulation.