I replaced a window this weekend and found the house is sheathed with a fiberboard type material, literally marked “INSULATING SHEATHING” it seems the vapor barrier is integral to the material. In places where it had gotten wet it had literally turned to powder so I cut out the bad parts and replaced with OSB and #15 felt.
The house was built in the early 70’s and the siding is vertical cedar with a tongue and dado type of set up.
So what is this stuff. Does it have asbestos in it? Should I bother replacing as much as possible, or just the bad parts?
Here is a poor quality photo (a crop from my cell phone camera).
I finished this window replacement already but I have 10 more to go.
Thanks in advance for any leads.
Replies
Pic did not post
live, work, build, ...better with wood
DOH the photo did not go
fiberboard or we used to call it beaver board
Barry E-Remodeler
Basically looks like fiberboard "insulating" sheathing. However, is the white near the window corner from the inside of the sheathing, or is that something else?
If Tyranny and Oppression come to this land, it will be in the guise of fighting a foreign enemy. --James Madison
The white near the corner is the new sill, the camera blew the color out white.
just the bad parts.. all if you like..
it looks like Homosote... (tar and shredded paper)
Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming
WOW!!! What a Ride!
Forget the primal scream, just ROAR!!!
IMERC-
Not to be picky, but Homasote doesn't have any tar in it. It's a light grey material all from compressed cellulose.
Don K.
EJG Homes Renovations - New Consruction - Rentals
Saran wrap and kleenex..
be picky..
that is what makes this place great..
Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming<!----><!----><!---->
WOW!!! What a Ride!<!----><!---->
Forget the primal scream, just ROAR!!!
I'll have to take an aspirin before I can figure that one out. The guys on the other side of the wall are tearing out sheetrock and my head is pounding.
If Tyranny and Oppression come to this land, it will be in the guise of fighting a foreign enemy. --James Madison
two generic names to go along with the Homasote......
and an invite to be picky..
Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming<!----><!----><!---->
WOW!!! What a Ride!<!----><!---->
Forget the primal scream, just ROAR!!!
Celotex and Homasote from the late - late 50's - early 60's other than the printing on them were very similar to include the asphalt impregnation...
sure remember it that way..
Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming<!----><!----><!---->
WOW!!! What a Ride!<!----><!---->
Forget the primal scream, just ROAR!!!
Describe the stuff a little better -- color, texture, layers or uniform structure, etc.
Unlikely to contain asbestos, I'd think, but others here may recognize the specific material and know better.
Commonly used in this era was an "insulating" sheathing composed of loosely-compressed wood fibers. I've heard it called "beaverboard" around here, but I believe that's an incorrect attribution. It's generally brown or black, considerably lighter and softer than OSB. Does not include a vapor barrier (which you don't want outside anyway) but is mildly good at shedding water (with a sort of tarry outer coating).
The stuff I've seen of this nature is reasonably water-resistant -- it won't disintegrate unless soaked repeatedly or for long periods of time. So if you have some of it disintegrating you'd be advised to check how sufficient your flashing is.
the "loosely-compressed wood fibers" describes it best. there are essentially 2 layers. 5/8" of the fiber board, light grey/brown in color then a 'skin' of black papery felty stuff that tears or crumbles like a piece of kids construction paper that has been out in the weather for a couple of weeks.
The window being replaced was a single pane aluminum slider that had been condensing/leaking for at least 30 years. The sill plate and the trimmer stud were totally rotten too.
So I can just replace the bad bits then?
Thanks
another version of Celotex...
change away..
Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming<!----><!----><!---->
WOW!!! What a Ride!<!----><!---->
Forget the primal scream, just ROAR!!!
IMERC's favorite building material.
Common trade name for the various manufacturers same type of 'insulating sheating' is asphalt impregnated fiberboard.
HAH!!!!!
Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming<!----><!----><!---->
WOW!!! What a Ride!<!----><!---->
Forget the primal scream, just ROAR!!!
vertical siding, eh.
not in my life time..
Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming<!----><!----><!---->
WOW!!! What a Ride!<!----><!---->
Forget the primal scream, just ROAR!!!
Guess I should elaborate a bit. Vertical siding is just asking for moisture problems isn't it? Water just loves to soak in to those little cracks and get behind the siding.
I also so regular posts about running roofing felt vertical. Why waste your time?
verticalely sided houses are gold mines in disguise...
for the reapirman...
Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming<!----><!----><!---->
WOW!!! What a Ride!<!----><!---->
Forget the primal scream, just ROAR!!!
Around here that stuff is labled Bilt-Rite (I think).Anyways, we call it Built Wrong.
Actually, the stuff isn't all that bad. It's really quite strong (though I doubt that it would count in a shear wall), it's cheap, and it does provide a modicum of insulation. When thoroughly stapled it seals tighter against air leaks than foam or OSB (but nowhere nearly as well as housewrap). The biggest negative is that, like foam, it's not a nailable surface for hanging vinyl, which is why you don't see it nearly as much any more.
If Tyranny and Oppression come to this land, it will be in the guise of fighting a foreign enemy. --James Madison
I believe the listed R on a 1/2 inch thick board is 1.3when in doubt add garlic
I think the only reason this place has not had problems with water (except around the crappy windows) is that it has nearly 3 feet of roof overhang on 2 sides, and a 6 foot wide wrap around porch on the others. It can be raining buckets and very little water is actually hitting the siding.
However the siding is 30 plus years old and is probably at the end of its life so I will have to replace it soon.
Thanks for the help.
looks like T1-11 blow and go sidding
celotex
an oiled surface fibreboard still used, used it on my own shed