Residential housing design continues to move towards the development of high performance sustainable building systems.
Building science insulated sheathing wood siding.
To be sustainable a building must not only be efficient and durable but also economically viable.
In general eps foam has the lowest r value per inch with xps being slightly more efficient and with polyisocyanurate having the best r value per.
Five common structural exterior sheathing options include wood based gypsum glass mat cement board and barricade thermo brace.
Insulated sheathing in a cold climate.
Foam is less permeable to water vapor and the back of the siding stays wet as the face of the siding dries.
In order for insulated siding to qualify as home insulation it must be installed directly over a water resistive barrier and sheathing.
However now that we have the sheathing on and are siding i have read people stating that r sheathing is not well suited for cold climates and that we should have used a thicker foam and placed it on the exterior side of the sheathing.
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Structural sheathing gives a home or commercial building integrity and rigidity.
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As a result the siding cups cracks and sheds paint.
Hot sun can overheat wood siding causing it to dry excessively and crack.
Guide to insulating sheathing.
Building science corporation.
From this new methods of enclosure design have been examined that provide high thermal performance and long term durability but also take opportunities to.
Wood siding needs an air space between its backside and the face of foam sheathing.