We recently purchased a two story, wood frame building, a former firehouse and town hall, that was built in 1896. It is balloon framed with rough sawn 2″ x 5″ studs, and is sheathed with rough sawn 1″ x 8″ to 1″ x 12″ boards, probably hemlock. The sheathing is quite tight – apparently the wood was properly dried before the building was constructed. The exterior is wood clapboards nailed directly to the sheathing (no rosin paper). We are going to gut the place and remodel it into our home. I intend to put a strip on the face of each stud to make the wall thickness equivalent to standard 2″ x 6″ framing.
My questions relate to primarily to insulation and siding. I want to make it as energy efficient as possible. I am thinking of insulating with sprayed-up wet cellulose or polyisocyanate foam. But I am not sure about using these types of insulation in wall cavities that consist of wood that has been dried out for about 100 years.
I would like to use a low maintenance clapboard siding, but I hate vinyl. I am thinking of fiber cement. Can you get fiber cement boards thick enough for trim work – water tables, corner boards, window trim, etc.? Does Azek make clapboards? Could I put wood clapboards on with the sprayed-up insulation in the walls?
As for windows, I want to match the original 9 over 1 double-hung sash, but I want extremely energy efficient windows. Can someone suggest a good source?
Any advice or suggestions would be welcome.
Thank you.
Chaz
Replies
chaz... either insulation would be a good choice... have your house tested with a smoke candle and blower door.. you will find some surprises
the fiber cement would be an excellent choice.. we use GP PrimeTrim for our trim with fiber cement..
Azek makes a good trim choice too.. but since you will be painting the claps.... you can paint the trim too.. so Azek is kind of a waste of moeny
i like Andersen windows.. you 'd do well to choose a window company with a strong distribution system in your area..
Thanks for your rep[ly. Much appreciated. - Chaz
Hardi Plank Siding can be ordered with matching trim.
Foam seemed to work really well in the farmhouse remodel we are on right now.
The Andersons we used got a little pricy at $375.00 per. HO wanted some custom grill work to match the old windows. Still Andersons are good windows.
Edited 1/30/2005 9:30 am ET by TMO
Thank you for your help.
Chaz