Insulating exterior wall


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Old 06-15-18, 01:05 PM
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Insulating exterior wall

Repairing 50 year old external wall framing requiring removal of exterior vertical tongue and groove siding. Expect wall insulation is the same age and should be replaced. How should this be done from the outside?
 
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Old 06-15-18, 01:19 PM
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Insulation doesn't really go bad. Depends what kind you have. Replacing 50 year old R-11 with brand new R-11 would not really be an improvement unless the old insulation was poorly installed. And you likely have some form of sheathing behind your siding that makes the insulation inaccessible from the outside. (not all houses have exterior sheathing, but most do).
 
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Old 06-15-18, 02:56 PM
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Welcome to the forum Slbell. Your location would help. The emphasis on installing a vapor barrier is almost gone so unfaced insulation can be installed from the outside. Another possibility would be to add a good layer of rigid foam on the outside. It takes some planning but is frequently done. Nice part is it covers the exterior of everything eliminating bridging losses through the framing. Give us that location and if you can check determine as X asked, if there is sheathing behind the siding.

Bud
 
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Old 06-18-18, 04:29 AM
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Location is southern Michigan. There is no sheathing. Siding is installed over a vapor barrier.
 
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Old 06-18-18, 04:46 AM
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A picture might help, but essentially you are down to the studs from the outside. In a cold climate you don't want a vapor barrier under the outer siding, but a house wrap would be good, it allows drying to the outside.

Will you be adding sheathing?

I would use Roxul to fill the stud cavities and than cover with sheathing followed by a house wrap and then siding.

Any windows or doors involved? Is this one side or the whole house?

Bud
 
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Old 06-18-18, 05:33 AM
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I would definitely add sheathing and a house wrap after you insulate, before you side. No plastic!
 
 

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