Insulation, Radiant and Vapor Barriers - Insulating a 1913 Stucco Craftsman
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x UHOH x
09-15-09, 12:29 PM
Greetings! I saw similar threads, but none that got to the heart of my problem without highjacking other threads.
I need help please. We own a 1913 Craftsman-style (or rather a confused Craftsman-Prairie-or maybe-Foursquare style) home near Richmond, VA. I've been told at one point it had been modified into six apartments.
http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e357/marshsk/OUR%20HOUSE/TheHouse4asofNOV08.jpg
There are three full stories to the house, topped with a well-preserved original tin standing-seam roof. The house has it's original stucco - except where the previous owners (slum lords and well-intentioned people) "remuddled" a bit: added new stucco over an original door and two or so windows. And we've been told the stucco is of good quality/well done by historic architects, etc. The previous owners "renovated" the upper two stories to a level of pleasant living, which included rewiring and replumbing (to a certain degree.) The problem is the ground floor. We quickly realized that in the poor house's history, amid multiple fires (and soakings to put the fires out), mold, cheap "band aid" materials, wild animals, and termites, the poor walls were not fit for human inhabitants. We've taken all the walls down to the studs, and found yet more interesting things -- original pipes left cut off mid-wall, "rewiring" jobs that were obviously not checked by any inspector, etc. And NO insulation in the walls at all, except around pipes that were installed around the 1950s.
http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e357/marshsk/House%20Improvements%20GRND%20FLOOR/toolcloset-barebones.jpg
Bottom line: we have some rewiring work and some replumbing work to fix before walls go up - but before winter hits, we need to put at least exterior protection/insulation in first. One general contractor who specializes in historic buildings said stucco doesn't need any insulation except a vapor barrier. But from what I read on the online forums, we ought to use insulation. What do I use and how do I do it? We're on a shortened timeline, so the most informed I can be will help us get the job done right! Thanks in advance for any help.
I need help please. We own a 1913 Craftsman-style (or rather a confused Craftsman-Prairie-or maybe-Foursquare style) home near Richmond, VA. I've been told at one point it had been modified into six apartments.
http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e357/marshsk/OUR%20HOUSE/TheHouse4asofNOV08.jpg
There are three full stories to the house, topped with a well-preserved original tin standing-seam roof. The house has it's original stucco - except where the previous owners (slum lords and well-intentioned people) "remuddled" a bit: added new stucco over an original door and two or so windows. And we've been told the stucco is of good quality/well done by historic architects, etc. The previous owners "renovated" the upper two stories to a level of pleasant living, which included rewiring and replumbing (to a certain degree.) The problem is the ground floor. We quickly realized that in the poor house's history, amid multiple fires (and soakings to put the fires out), mold, cheap "band aid" materials, wild animals, and termites, the poor walls were not fit for human inhabitants. We've taken all the walls down to the studs, and found yet more interesting things -- original pipes left cut off mid-wall, "rewiring" jobs that were obviously not checked by any inspector, etc. And NO insulation in the walls at all, except around pipes that were installed around the 1950s.
http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e357/marshsk/House%20Improvements%20GRND%20FLOOR/toolcloset-barebones.jpg
Bottom line: we have some rewiring work and some replumbing work to fix before walls go up - but before winter hits, we need to put at least exterior protection/insulation in first. One general contractor who specializes in historic buildings said stucco doesn't need any insulation except a vapor barrier. But from what I read on the online forums, we ought to use insulation. What do I use and how do I do it? We're on a shortened timeline, so the most informed I can be will help us get the job done right! Thanks in advance for any help.