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I’m contacting a small summer cottage (20 x 38), one floor above a walkout basement. Planning to leave this unheated during the winter, except the occasional weekend when we go there to get away from the holidays!
I’d appreciate any recommendations on framing (4″ vs 6″) and insulating details. Local codes require R19 walls. Also, since it won’t be heated in the winter and won’t be A/C’ed in the summer, what should I do about a vapor retarder?
Thanks in advance!
Dave
Engineered-stone shower panels are waterproof, but proper installation relies on tight seams and silicone sealing.
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Replies
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Dave,
If you were to NEVER heat the cottage in winter, it would be one thing, however you do plan to use it the odd time in winter, therefore you will be heating it at some time.
Its probably best to go the nine yards right now and install the vapour barrier, plans change and you may want to use it more in winter than you plan to now, and as an investment to sell in the future, a properly insulated, winterized cottage sells better than one that is not.
*Dave,Since you aren't going to use it much--if at all--in the winter, getting a high performance from your insulation isn't critical to you. I would say by all means build the walls by the (poly/batt) book since that's the cheapest thing to do. The one thing I would recommend that you do different though, is to use Cellulose for the ceiling insulation. It is better at keeping the house cool in the summer, as many people claim it stops the transmission of radiant heat into the house better than fiberglass does.If you really might use the cottage in the wintertime as well, I would at least read up on and consider densepacked cellulose for the walls as well. The initial cost may be a little higer, but I believe it will serve you better. This is a heavily debated topic here though. Consider yourself forwarned.Steve
*Dave,I agree with Steve except that if you allready have the cellulose sub out there doing the ceiling don't even think about using FG in the walls, put cells there too. If you like the place well enough, you might want to retire there.Ron
*Dave,Ron is right. I guess my tounge wasn't planted firmly enough in my cheek when I said use FG if you don't care about the performance...Steve
*Having done what you propose I suggest you build as though it were a year round residence. It will bring more comfort now and much more resale value later.Also, don't forget to insulate the floor of the living area. It will make a world of difference in winter comfort. You don't say where this is so I can't advise on amount of insulation or framing. But my general advise is to use 2x6, well insulated(some areas allow rigid foam which raises the R significantly) and good windows and doors. It will bring fast winter warm ups and cut down on noise from the neighbors.You might consider designing in integral shutters and plugs to keep pests out. It is surprising how many animals consider you to be a visitor to "their" home.If I knew where you were I might be able to give more biased help.
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Fred, the cottage will be located on a lake that straddles the Indiana/Michigan state line, so it can get cold (-20 F) in the winter and hot (95 F) in the summer. Pretty humid at times in the summer also, so I am very concerned about moisture buildup in the walls, etc and then being closed up for 6 months with little or no ventilation.
I've designed a high pitch (9/12) roof to help alleviate snow load problems in the winterm and will probably not use any gutters to help decrease the likelihood of winter ice dams.
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Thanks for the info. Some things you might want to consider in your design:
- Be sure there are openings in the house that will allow air flow all the time. An example: One place is on pilings leaving a 3' space between the ground and the floor. The hole where the well pipe enters the floor is closed with loose fibreglass. The woodstove air intake is kept open. So, air can always flow.
- Consider a shallower pitch metal roof. Will shed snow and make climbing on it easier when you get old and creaky.
- Give some serious consideration to insulating with ridgid foam board, like blueboard. I always use 6mil visqueen as a vapor barrier regardless of insulation. Especially if you use a cathedral ceiling this will give good insulation and little problem with moisture. I have seen ice daming with just about every construction style. Don't think there is a reliable way to prevent it in snow country, especially where there are daily freeze thaw cycles. But this should minimize it.
-Plan your plumbing for freezing. Either have a foolproof way to drain and put in antifreeze, or best of all use a properly designed outhouse and a handpump for water.
-Think through interior lighting. Lots of windows with shutters for when it is empty will make for good liveability and some security when you are gone. Since you are in a relatively high population area you can't really do as much for security as those in more remote areas. Your vandals are not as strong but are more creative.
These things come immediately to mind. Anything else just ask. When it comes time for you to make your decision it is better to have too much info than not enough.
*Dave,What a strange compilation of advice...I'm thinking of my Grandmother whom I loved, but oh did she "worry."What a great adventure to build a camp...It should entail more risk, adventure, artistic but simple inspirations and much less of the mundane and worry nature.Near the stream,J
*Near
*Jack & FredLI now pronounce you man and wife,you can both argue which is which.
*Dear FredLNo, I just surveyed the residents and because they're all free thinkers, I couldn't get a consensus on anything. The only thing they agreed on was that, when two people have to share a brain to be witty, apart they become halfwits.
*"I just surveyed the residents.....?"Oh well, back from great ski...Gabe...the time warp "it's the way it's been done therefore it must be right" Martel.Near the stream, but more birthday party yet to go,J
*Dear FredLI may have spoken out of turn in my 2:54 post today and I wish to apologize.Whatever your sexual preference is, FredL, I will support your right to enjoy it.It's only your poor construction advise that I will challenge in the future.
*Gabe,People don't think like you...."Oh, their must be something wrong with them"...time to pull out a label...You are "whacked" and are losing my respect by the post.Argue any facts in the future and I will state my ideas whether you are off in a strange world of your own imagination or not...Near the stream,J
*Gee Jack,There's no pleasing you guys. Just don't use my name to title your stupid posts in the future "Gabe's in bed, etc."
*Here's a site that might interest those who feel they are losing their God given right to a majority...David DukeInteresting fella if you saw him on "Meet The Press." He actually held his ground well as Tim attacked for the less extreme amongst us.Near the stream,J
*FredL,You're one sick puppy.
*What do you wrap yourself in Jack?A white sheet?No respect left for you Jack!
*What has happened to the funny, witty Fred that used to post? Golden showers? Yecch! Forget worrying about Gabe and get your book out.
*FredLThey're called African-American you smuck, unless you're refering to my neighbors, in which case they are called my friends.My mentor was of the Jewish faith and my father loss his only brother in Holland and my mother loss her only brother in Italy liberating Europe from the Nazis.Like I said, "you're one sick puppy".
*We can all sleep safe in our beds tonight, FredL is guarding the frontier with his white sheet.
*Gabe,Well, you are a true "individual," willing to stand by your own side through the worst of Fred's "flame war" with you...Somehow your flame's "flicker" my way and it's understandable for sure since I concur with much of Fred's Weatherisation discussions...And I'm sorry you missed the point of my last "David Duke" post by an infinite margin. Hey, we don't think the same at all, so as a "point of reference," it's great to have your "thoughts" here at Breaktime...Stick with us, even if you start to agree that some of what Fred or I have to say may have some validity...No "sheets night" at the fest, but definitely an extra slap for the best and most consistent flamers...And of course beer, coffee or your favorite beverage.Near the stream, just "sleeping between the sheets,"J
*FredLYou're really pissed aren't you that you've been exposed as a fraud.Too bad, welcome to the big times smuck.
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I'm contacting a small summer cottage (20 x 38), one floor above a walkout basement. Planning to leave this unheated during the winter, except the occasional weekend when we go there to get away from the holidays!
I'd appreciate any recommendations on framing (4" vs 6") and insulating details. Local codes require R19 walls. Also, since it won't be heated in the winter and won't be A/C'ed in the summer, what should I do about a vapor retarder?
Thanks in advance!
Dave