OK to use 15# felt under vinyl siding?
Hannah
| Posted in Construction Techniques on
Is there any problem with using 15# felt (instead of housewrap) under vinyl siding? We were going to do this, but someone who installs siding says that the felt will cause the walls to sweat, (and rot), whereas the housewrap will not. He could not explain why this would happen, and I find it hard to believe. We have a good vapor barrier inside, so how would moisture get in the wall, if the 15# felt is properly applied under the siding?
I thought there might be a thread on this subject, but if so, I cannot find it.
Replies
some vynal siding manufactuers say no...
what says yours...
printed right on the box...
you risk chemical inter-reaction, bleed thru, and black streaks running down the siding everytime it rains...
Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming
WOW!!! What a Ride!
Forget the primal scream, just ROAR!!!
Edited 9/12/2007 8:18 pm by IMERC
There are no details on the cartons, except the standard cautions about correct nailing. It doesn't mention underlay.
I called the manufacturer (Mitten Vinyl in Ontario) and was told that felt underlay is fine, and very commonly used, and would not react with their siding. Thanks for suggesting the manufacturer; don't know why I didn't think of that. The person who told us that felt is bad works for the local siding dealer. Sometimes it's hard to know who to believe. I've been reading a lot on Breaktime (but posting very little) and I thought felt underlay was a good product. We are installing the siding ourselves.
then felt would be my 1st choice...
go for it...Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming<!----><!----><!---->
WOW!!! What a Ride!Forget the primal scream, just ROAR!!!
#15 felt would allow the wall to dry. Water vapor can find it's way through felt.
I've used felt under vinyl siding with no problems. But if the instructions say do not, then don't.
Rich Beckman
"#15 felt would allow the wall to dry. Water vapor can find it's way through felt."
I think you're about as confused as I am.
(-:
An eye for eye only ends up making the whole world blind. [Gandhi]
Rich is right as rain, Boss...
felt can absorb moisture, and thus, can also release it.
Building paper cannot.Troy Sprout
"A free people ought not only to be armed and disciplined, but they should also have sufficient arms and ammunition to maintain a status of independence from any who might attempt to abuse them, which would include their own government." -- George Washington
I'm under the impression that water vapor can pass through tyvek, but NOT felt.
Bumpersticker: Proud Parent of a Terrific Kid, Who Sells Term Papers to Honor Students
You are correct. Water will condense on the SURFACE of builder paper and create little riverlets onto/into sheathing. Felt will actually absorb that condensation (protecting the surrounding surfaces) and release it as the relative humidity allows.Troy Sprout
"A free people ought not only to be armed and disciplined, but they should also have sufficient arms and ammunition to maintain a status of independence from any who might attempt to abuse them, which would include their own government." -- George Washington
Around here I usually see felt then fan-fold insulation (polystyrene?), then the vinyl.
we use felt... 15# or 30#... new studies put felt on a par or higher with the best traits of the best house wraps
house wraps get used because they come in 9' rolls, are faster to apply, and are more tear resistant.... not because they are superior in performance
vinyl siding has been around for at least 30 years... house wraps only came into general use in the last 10 or so...felts did none of the things your builder is describing... matter of fact felt is superior in NOT doing the things he claims...
IF i were putting up vinyl siding i'd use felt
but if i were hiring a siding contractor to put it on... i'd have a long conversation with him about flashing and housewrap & felt..
the rot associated with vinyl siding is due to improper flashing details.. not to the use / non-use of felt
the rot associated with vinyl siding is due to improper flashing details.. not to the use / non-use of felt
Just thought it was worth repeating.
J. D. ReynoldsHome Improvements
the rot associated with vinyl siding is due to improper flashing details.. not to the use / non-use of felt
Just thought it was worth repeating.
Can a brother get a "Amen". http://grantlogan.net/
"he ot the placed closed down whyyy thhhattt nnooo gooodddd" - sancho
I'm glad that everyone here agrees with the manufacturer. We are going to use the felt, even though the lumber yard guy laughed at us for ordering it... he said, 'no one uses that anymore'! Thanks to all who replied. We appreciate your expertise.
Mr. Smith, I followed your 'Adverse Conditions' thread for a long while, last year, and meant to post a 'thank you' both for the time and patience you took to create it, and for the example of quality building. It's good to know (in this age of instant chipboard palaces) that there are still builders who care about details and homes that are made to last. Bravo. Is there a link to the thread? I never saw the final photos of the finished house.
i've got to get back over there.. the Owner says the baby snapping turtles are all over the place
here's a link to the beginning:
http://forums.taunton.com/tp-breaktime/messages?msg=67972.1Mike Smith Rhode Island : Design / Build / Repair / Restore
I did a wall on a ocean front motel where winds can be normal 75 up to 100 easy, The j channels are not wide enough to keep water out being blown sideways, I elected to make the wall waterproof with 15lb felt then install the vinyl siding, So far so good its been 7 years but i worry if anything did go wrong i would be left holding the bag for useing felt, however at the time i wanted it to keep water out, We see rot everywhere tyvek is used but but never with the proper use of felt