Ok, this will probably be the first of many from me, so I guess I'll take it a bite at a time.
Where we stand now: 1950 home, bought this year, bone-rattlingly cold. Our primary goal is making it to the spring when time, weather and funding will allow the fixin' to begin. So far I have been checking/replacing/adding to existing caulking, weatherstripping, attic insulation, etc, just the basics where I can. The first big problem is that the exterior walls are 100% insulation free. An attractive lil holesaw job through the dining room wall verified this, the wall cavities are empty. Too big, too expensive to address now but this to me has to be the first issue addressed come spring.
Existing exterior is old beatup aluminum siding with deteriorating sheathing beneath, so my plan is to tear off the exterior shell, fill walls w/ fiberglass from the outside, go with OSB, foam, Tyvek and new siding. Considering the age and condition of the original sheathing, plus some of the fascia boards that I can see, water damage is a concern so I want to know what is going on inside the walls.
What I'd like to hear some opinions on is specific materials and techniques. My "rough draft" plan so far involves coated deck screws instead of nailing, 3/4" OSB instead of 1/2" just to add additional strength/rigidity to walls that could use it, lavish use of builder's tape on any seams, etc. I tend towards overkill because I would rather spend the extra time, effort and money up front to make it as strong as possible.
A few questions:
A: Considering using LiquidNails for OSB~> studs in addition to screws, any downside? Not only would this add additional connection between the two continuously, but would help close any gaps inside the wall that I will not be able to access until I get to the "now tear out and replace the inside of the wall" stage.
B: Is there any way to NOT have too remove/remount the windows? I expect I will have to but I used cans of sprayfoam filler around them and they will be just extra fun to remove now.
C: While I would like to maximize the foamboard thickness for insulation, how do I address the wall/window meeting if the thickness changes?
D: I keep Googling up arguments about Tyvek vs felt, anyone care to wade in there? Is there any advantage to using both in some permutation, as in OSB/felt/foamboard/Tyvek? (My life would be so much easier if that sprayfoam insulation wasn't quite so pricey)
E: Sheets of foamboard vs fanfold? Price is a consideration but the additional fact that the fanfold is continuous so I have fewer seams.
Any input up to and including "siddown and shaddup Dave!" welcomed. I am still in the planning/pricing stage so this is when I want to make any changes and get a firm design plan.
Where we stand now: 1950 home, bought this year, bone-rattlingly cold. Our primary goal is making it to the spring when time, weather and funding will allow the fixin' to begin. So far I have been checking/replacing/adding to existing caulking, weatherstripping, attic insulation, etc, just the basics where I can. The first big problem is that the exterior walls are 100% insulation free. An attractive lil holesaw job through the dining room wall verified this, the wall cavities are empty. Too big, too expensive to address now but this to me has to be the first issue addressed come spring.
Existing exterior is old beatup aluminum siding with deteriorating sheathing beneath, so my plan is to tear off the exterior shell, fill walls w/ fiberglass from the outside, go with OSB, foam, Tyvek and new siding. Considering the age and condition of the original sheathing, plus some of the fascia boards that I can see, water damage is a concern so I want to know what is going on inside the walls.
What I'd like to hear some opinions on is specific materials and techniques. My "rough draft" plan so far involves coated deck screws instead of nailing, 3/4" OSB instead of 1/2" just to add additional strength/rigidity to walls that could use it, lavish use of builder's tape on any seams, etc. I tend towards overkill because I would rather spend the extra time, effort and money up front to make it as strong as possible.
A few questions:
A: Considering using LiquidNails for OSB~> studs in addition to screws, any downside? Not only would this add additional connection between the two continuously, but would help close any gaps inside the wall that I will not be able to access until I get to the "now tear out and replace the inside of the wall" stage.
B: Is there any way to NOT have too remove/remount the windows? I expect I will have to but I used cans of sprayfoam filler around them and they will be just extra fun to remove now.
C: While I would like to maximize the foamboard thickness for insulation, how do I address the wall/window meeting if the thickness changes?
D: I keep Googling up arguments about Tyvek vs felt, anyone care to wade in there? Is there any advantage to using both in some permutation, as in OSB/felt/foamboard/Tyvek? (My life would be so much easier if that sprayfoam insulation wasn't quite so pricey)
E: Sheets of foamboard vs fanfold? Price is a consideration but the additional fact that the fanfold is continuous so I have fewer seams.
Any input up to and including "siddown and shaddup Dave!" welcomed. I am still in the planning/pricing stage so this is when I want to make any changes and get a firm design plan.
