Exterior walls are only 2" deep!

Fastballoon

No, I am not kidding.

This is our starter home, and we did know this prior to buying the house. At some point in the construction of this house back in the 60s, someone decided to turn the 2x4s sideways so that the walls, all of them, are only 2". Even the exterior ones.

At some point in the future, we are wanting to reside the house. It currently has the wideish vinyl siding. What would be the best way to reside our house AND increase our measly r-value? Any suggestions would be appreciated.

jcrack_corn

what are your top and bottom plates?

picture?

sdsester

Trust me, someone did not just decide to turn 2x4 framing around flat after the thing was built. It is wood framing?

Wow, what does your wiring and plumbing look like with two inch wall spaces? What are your doors and windows like. I am totally fascinated at this point as to how I would Mickey Mouse a door, or window for that matter, into two inch max available framing.

Where are you (in general and not specifically!)?

Were there 60s acid rock posters on the ceiling with a Gracy Slick (Jefferson Airplane) original signature torn off so only her last name showed when you moved in? Old advertisement for fresh mushrooms in the kitchen cabinets? I know your place.

Just kidding. But I would never dare run for President.

What is your foundation like? Slab I am guessing and per prior post what are your walls nailed too at the bottom to start.

Are you sure what you have is 60s or could it be older? I am thinking it could be one of the cooler, older prefab houses. I forget when Sears stopped selling prefab houses but I will look it up. There are a few around my old hood. Of course the people in them are beyond too totally cool.

Bad news. Great historical treasures. Buy blankets. These prefab things were designed not so much for permanent housing but to capitalize on the post WWII GI bill stuff around campus towns in particular. Garages and carriage houses got wallpapers and wood burning stoves for the first time. These prefab things showed up on back acreage and so forth so guys had a valid address to go to college, or at least scam GI bill funds. Beautiful old Victorians got chopped into pieces to suddenly have eighteen separate addresses.

Can you send pictures?

http://prefabcosm.com/blog/2007/07/2...b-sears-homes/

sdsester

Sorry. Got excited and lost track of your original post.

With only two inch walls I guess I wold have to say inject foam insulation. Blow in cellulose or something as a second choice.

I would say wrap the exterior with membrane before adding siding but with only two inches those wall will not be able to breathe much if you do so.

Obviously stuff the attic. If it is not a concrete floor I would be tempted to spray foam insulation under there I guess but it makes me nervous.

I have no idea what you do with windows and doors with only two inch wall thickness but cover them in winter with the plastic stuff you shrink to place with a hair dryer.

Fastballoon

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we've been in the house for six years now, and surprisingly, the bills really aren't all that bad.
I was told it was called a "National home" or something or other, but really haven't much information other than that. It definitely seems to be a kit-type home, but don't think Sears....

Windows are single pane, obviously. Ha. We installed storm windows, which lie flush with the exterior of the house. We also installed a new front door, and trust me when i tell you there was a lot of "mickey mousing". we basically just had to build outward to frame it up.

we do have a full, finished basement, though. no slab. it is a single story home. i haven't really taken the walls apart to check out the electrical, so don't really have answers for you there. we did replace the old fuse boxes with 200 amp service, though, but we hired people to do that for us, so ...

tell me what you'd like to see pictures of? i'd be happy to share some, especially if it sparks any "hey, i've got a great idea for replacing windows, and really adding to your r-value".

also, i'm not a very 'construction' oriented person, so layman's terms really are best!

jklingel

The foundation being 2' high may or may not be a concern. Shallow, frost protected foundations are common and work fine, if designed properly. From the sounds of things, you should research them; you may need to add some serious foam around the perimeter. As for the walls, I'd consider adding foam to the outside. Google REMOTE wall for starters; there are other options, too, but you'll need to increase window sills, etc. If you have any snow loads, I'd be concerned about the studs sitting sideways.

md2lgyk

http://www.fredbecker.org/News%20Letter/KitHomes.htm

Interesting info on the kit home industry.