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I am having a large carport added to my house. The builder has installed vinyl siding on the west facing gable end. He did not use any building paper or vapor barrier of any type. It was hung directly on the OSB. I am concerned about moisture getting in behind the siding and creating problems. I would also like to have had a gable vent put in as the truss system is exposed and I feel this could lead to excessive lift in the event of high winds. I live in SW Florida so heat, humidity and wind are always a concern.The roof is approx. 30′ x 40′ and blended to the old roof. Any input would be appreciated as this may be kosher and I have other issues I need to address with this guy. Thanks
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Moisture WILL penetrate to some extent, and there should be some type of protection for the OSB. I use #30 felt for this type of situation.
Talk to the builder about it. If he says it is ok, get him to give you a WRITTEN warranty (not that it would really do any good). I personally would make him remove it all and add a barrier of felt.
James DuHamel
*It's perfectly fine to put vinyl directly over osb....unless it rains.
*Mike,the topic listing showed your message as starting "It's perfectly fine to put vinyl directly over ...."I prepared to leap, fangs bared and claws unsheathed, and then read your full message!Reminded me of my teenage years when I was getting close to, but hadn't quite made it around the bases and onto home watching the Saturday night submarine races
*Sorry, Bob. Didn't mean to get you excited. It floors me the number of people I talk to that think vinyl is waterproof. I even see "professional" installers caulk the siding around hose bibb and venting openings thinking they're doing a service. It should be law to stamp the boxes vinyl comes in with a disclaimer "NOT a waterproof product!"
*I said this one other time, but I'm so impressed with my own cleverness that I'm going to subject you guys to it once more . I think the main purpose of vinyl siding is to protect the underlying waterproof layer of felt or housewrap from UV degradation. Yes, you need felt. And aluminum corner flashings. Get a copy of Certainteed's vinyl installation manual.Andy
*Thanks Guys, I thought as much. I can't believe what some guys will try to get away with. I'm still curious about the gable vent. Is this something I should expect from the builder or is it considered optional?
*Looks like there could be a lot to expect from your builder that he considers optional.If you want a gable vent, tell him you want a gable vent. If it wasn't in your original specs you can expect him to add an upcharge.He'll probably try to add an upcharge when you tell him about the building paper but you should have ammunition if you get an installation guide from the siding manufacturer. Since he tried a fast one on you, you might get the Certainteed specs, he might not notice.Here's a little reading material. This, and other manufacturer's installation guidelines, will state that vinyl siding is not waterproof and that steps must be taken to assure the substrate is, which includes proper flashings and housewraps.http://www.vinylsiding.org/install/guide.pdf
*Sounds like your builder was a builder of his own pocketbook. NEVER EVER heard of not putting up some sort of vapor barrier. Geeeezzz...Imagine that...he couldnt shell out $25 bucks for a roll of felt (if that). Sounds like a hit and run contractor to me. Sorry. At least put the vents in. Try the approach of reporting his shotty ways to the big guys upstairs. If you look on your warrenty for the siding itself (that it comes with) all the evidence will be in! Duches like your builder give us all a bad name.
*Here in SW FL the builders have so much business anything goes. Fortunately I'm a pretty good DIYer so this is the first time I've had to experience working with a GC. I'm a Landscape Contractor and I too am very busy so when the city told me I had to park my big truck under cover I decided to hire it out. Got 3 estimates (difficult to get that many) and threw out the high and low bids. Signed the contract in Aug. he pulled the permit in Oct. and we're still not finished. Had a framing crew out 3 weeks ago, they framed and sheathed it in, no dry in. New roof lower than old roof by 4". Oh, he said, I thought you wanted a "Cottage Look". Rain a week later, still no dry in. Water in the living room. Wet duct work in attic. I have customers who have had 5 and 6 figure renovations with similar experiences. Gotta wonder what kinda work poor little old ladys get stuck with.
*OSB is a waterproof product.I do not believe it one bit, but some of you might rember a post brought up a while ago where Hardi plank was being put up over OSB without a vapor barrier. I was shocked , yet it is allowed here in Oregon of all wet places.It used to be that paper was not needed in gables if the gable was an unheated spacenow we are seeing custom homes without paper even in the heated space.and pass inspection. The argument being that osb is made with waterproof glue and therefore acts as a vapor barrier itself.bullwe personally paper everythingand as far as vinyl siding being a vapor barrier, well we have seen many posts about that subject.Home today, supposed to be on a roof, have a foot of snow and ice, they dont mix and my old bones dont heal as fast
*Oh Josh, Musta hit 80 here today!
*Had my builder over yesterday and he has taken the siding down and installed 30# felt underneath and agreed to put gable vents in. Thanks to all for your invaluable advice as well as your genuine concern. I wish we had more Fine Builders in my area like you all!