I am trying to decide what side of the osb is best to use ridgid foam. In phoenix we put it over the shear and then stucco. This house is up north and its a cold climate. I am trying to get a thermal break. In stucco its outside so the shear is no problem, but I was watching T.V. and they showed it between the studs and osb. Does this present a problem with the shear walls or wall bracing sheets? I did spray foam insulation on the last house and it worked well but the budget on this wont allow it I know that it depends on the engineer etc but just looking for a little of others ideas. seems like I read something about this from a builder in vermont thanks for any opinions
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You need the osb in contact with the studs to get the shear value. otherwise the nails can flex.
What you want to be asking is which side of the assembly the foam goes on.
When the climate is extreme enough to need over 7000 heating degree days, you definitely want the foam on the inside of the studs, under the sheetrock. in moderate climates, it is optional to varying degrees according to other variables, and in southern cooling climates, you want the foam on the outside.
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My thought on the flex issue were the same. just over 7000. I have read articles in here supporting both ways. dont know how they solved the issue on the houses on the tv show. people here do 1" closed cell foam w fiberglass or cellulose over it. seems that could cause moisture to be trapped in the walls due to the closed cell foam. looking to stop all the moisture and air issues that only foam seems to solve. thanks
with enough realy good insulation, it doesn't matter as much which side it is on because you control dewpoint issues.Then they use a vapour retarder on the inside instead of a vapour barrier. That way, in the alternate season, and moisture that was driven into the wall during winter, can dry out from it again
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IMO you should be good to go on the outside. I've seen it done a lot that way in the Northwest at 6800 HDD. I'd be totally comfortable w/ it on the outside ... it provides the thermal break where I think it should be ... on the outside.