I have a small 1928 Craftsman Bungalow. First story exterior walls are masonry. Problems with masonry wall. 1) No insulation. 2) Can't hang stuff on wall well. 3) No insulation. 4) The ground shakes here. 5) No insulation.
The normal way to insulate a wall like that is to build a frame wall on the inside. But I refuse:furious: to sacrifice that much space. I tried to pack insulation into the tubular spaces while remodeling the downstairs bathroom, but without success. If the tubes were vertical it might have worked. But they're not and it didn't. Then I thought of just replacing it. Prop up the upstairs downstairs, knocking out the wall, and building a frame wall in its place. But this gets into aesthetic issues. Now I'm thinking...
1) build frame of 2x4s on outside
2) drill and set anchors between bricks on outside
3) attach anchors to frame to stabilize brick wall
4) [carefully] knock out the interior terracotta tiles down to the foundation (cast concrete)
5) Build frame wall in place of terracotta tiles
6) drill into mortar from inside, set anchors, and attach anchors to inside frame
7) spray foam thermal break on inside of bricks
8) wire electrical
9) insulate
10) install plywood sheathing on inside of frame wall
11) cover plywood with drywall for fire blocking
12) Remove bracing from outside and touch up mortar
Advantages:
Maintains vintage brick wall.
Maintains internal space
Provides real insulation
provides for framing in smaller windows (raise sills so tables/desks can be parked under them)
Supports cabinets
Provides improved level of earthquake resistance (everyone has their faults and mine's in New Madrid)
Disadvantage:
Lots of tedious work even if restricted to the back room
getting good attachment to foundation.
Other?
I can't set j-bolts in foundation top, so either epoxy in bolts or use ties to connect stud wall to inside face of foundation in basement. Second floor is frame so should be easy to attach to. Since the big plan is to extend out the back of the house, the frame walls would simply extend past the end of the side walls and become the addition.
Since the back wall gets blown out, I only have to do this on two small areas about ten feet long each on the north and south ends of the country kitchen. But the outside of the these walls are visible from the street, so saving the brick wall has value. The bricks from the back wall provide material to rebrick the window opening to match higher sills. The result is the kitchen which has been poorly heated/cooled now becomes a comfy insulated room.
Does this sound practical or am I missing something.
The normal way to insulate a wall like that is to build a frame wall on the inside. But I refuse:furious: to sacrifice that much space. I tried to pack insulation into the tubular spaces while remodeling the downstairs bathroom, but without success. If the tubes were vertical it might have worked. But they're not and it didn't. Then I thought of just replacing it. Prop up the upstairs downstairs, knocking out the wall, and building a frame wall in its place. But this gets into aesthetic issues. Now I'm thinking...
1) build frame of 2x4s on outside
2) drill and set anchors between bricks on outside
3) attach anchors to frame to stabilize brick wall
4) [carefully] knock out the interior terracotta tiles down to the foundation (cast concrete)
5) Build frame wall in place of terracotta tiles
6) drill into mortar from inside, set anchors, and attach anchors to inside frame
7) spray foam thermal break on inside of bricks
8) wire electrical
9) insulate
10) install plywood sheathing on inside of frame wall
11) cover plywood with drywall for fire blocking
12) Remove bracing from outside and touch up mortar
Advantages:
Maintains vintage brick wall.
Maintains internal space
Provides real insulation
provides for framing in smaller windows (raise sills so tables/desks can be parked under them)
Supports cabinets
Provides improved level of earthquake resistance (everyone has their faults and mine's in New Madrid)
Disadvantage:
Lots of tedious work even if restricted to the back room
getting good attachment to foundation.
Other?
I can't set j-bolts in foundation top, so either epoxy in bolts or use ties to connect stud wall to inside face of foundation in basement. Second floor is frame so should be easy to attach to. Since the big plan is to extend out the back of the house, the frame walls would simply extend past the end of the side walls and become the addition.
Since the back wall gets blown out, I only have to do this on two small areas about ten feet long each on the north and south ends of the country kitchen. But the outside of the these walls are visible from the street, so saving the brick wall has value. The bricks from the back wall provide material to rebrick the window opening to match higher sills. The result is the kitchen which has been poorly heated/cooled now becomes a comfy insulated room.
Does this sound practical or am I missing something.