Insulating a 1900’s home with woodworking and no barriers
I’m currently working on a project that is located in northern Utah where the temperature low is usually reaches 0 F for 1 month or of the year and spreads to a high of 95 F for 1 month. The home I’m working on was built in 1900 and the walls are looking good, but used adobe brick as insulation which really just needs to be pulled out and replaced with something else. Everything I’ve read points me to install a moisture barrier which would require me to remove all of the siding to install moisture/air barriers or reinstall a new style of siding over the current siding, but I would really like to keep the look of the old siding. I have access to the interior of the walls from the inside. Does anyone have any recommendations on how to improve the insulation of my home while avoiding any moisture entrapment?
Thanks,
Zac
Replies
Hi Zac, can you give us a description of the wall construction from outside in? Type of siding, sheathing, frame, and interior finishes.. If the siding is in good shape and keeping the weather out of the wall cavity, then you most likely have options for insulation type. Closed cell spray foam is typically the best way to achieve air tightness and can actually stiffen old walls and add structure (obviously not it's intended purpose however).
Of course. The siding is wood siding that is painted using high gloss exterior paint and caulked using exterior paintings caulk. The siding is nailed directly onto raw cut 2x6 lumber. The interior will be sheetrock screwed to the 2x6s. From the reading I've seen a couple of different suggestions one being the closed cell spray foam as you mentioned above, another is suggesting leaving space for air flow through the walls (see the articles linked), and some have suggested to not use any insulation because moisture will become trapped and cause rot to the wood. I'd love to hear your thoughts.
https://www.greenbuildingadvisor.com/article/insulating-walls-in-an-old-house-with-no-sheathing
https://www.greenbuildingadvisor.com/article/managing-water-and-insulating-walls-without-sheathing