On a remodeling project I am faced with the problem of increasing the R-value of a north facing wall (that never gets any sun) without creating a condensation problem. The wall is std. 2×4 construction in the Mediterranean climate of the West Coast (2×4 studs, fiberglass R13 between studs + 3/8 sheathing then siding. I fear that if I add rigid insulation to the outside of the studs the air gap between the rigid insulaton and the fiberglas facing will be perfect for winter condensation to develop. Has anyone pulled this off ??
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Up here in Canada we do that a lot on reno jobs and it works great. we peel off all the existing siding and building paper to the sheeting and start from new. If there are any windows and doors to replace we order new ones with the correct jamb extensions plus build out the openings with lumber equal to the width of the Styrofoam. Then just wrap it up with tyvek and siding. DONE!!! I have got nothing but positive feedback with this method.
Thanks. If you are along the coast, you have similar conditions during those damp rainy winters and that's when I was concerned that the rigid insulation would let in just enough moisture to trap it inside the wall. Between 11-15 and 3/1 we are close to the dew point almost all the time. In the summer everything dries out. But if you can get away with tyvek up there then the same principal should work on this wall. The wall never really sees the sun.