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1960s bungalow insulation for exterior wall

mavbritton | Posted in Construction Techniques on January 4, 2022 07:39am

I am in the process of renovating a 1960’s style bungalow in Ontario, Canada

The walls are a brick veneer, with the usual batt insulation and then the concrete type board / plaster on the interior walls

The bathroom ceiling gets condensation issues and I was going to make a new shower against the outside wall

My theory was to use XPS on the ceiling once the ceiling was totally dry and then screw sheetrock over the top and use a bathroom ceiling paint for water repelency

For the shower, I was going to use Schluter Kerdi board, which is basically EPS insulation I believe, but then realised in both scenarios am I creating a double vapour barrier?  Or am I over thinking this?

For the basement I have already done 2 inch XPS sealed with spray foam then steel stud with Rockwall, which is the reverse

I am under the impression though that the way in which basement walls vs ground level walls and ceilings work are two different sciences (may have that wrong)

Any input would be great, thanks!

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Replies

  1. calvin | Jan 04, 2022 08:11am | #1

    Install a good ceiling exhaust fan that will handle the area and USE IT. Make sure it runs at least 15 minutes after you leave the room with a timer. Have enough clearance under the door to provide makeup air. An additional backdraft damper on the exhaust piping is a good idea.

    Allow room above your shower enclosure so it doesn’t trap the moisture.

  2. mavbritton | Jan 04, 2022 09:12am | #2

    Thanks. There is already a decent fan in the bathroom on a humidistat switch which I then have set to just run for 50% of the time.

    Regarding increasing the insulation on the ceiling, do you think there would be an issue with adding 1 inch XPS over the existing plaster and then fixing sheetrock over the top of that?

    1. User avater
      sawdust_steve | Jan 04, 2022 10:00am | #3

      Why wouldnt you just remove the existing plaster? Its messy but quick work and makes for a much cleaner installation.

  3. mavbritton | Jan 04, 2022 10:25am | #4

    My OCD side wants to do that, however, its that double layer concrete type board with the wire mesh at all the corners so its not the most fun to remove

    But that is probably the best answer

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