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I’ve been following the recent discussions about vapor retarders like TYVEK type stuff or felt between the sheathing and any cedar siding material. Seems like lath strips are preferred, too. Except one of the guys pointed out critters can get behind the siding since the lath creates the breathing/breeding space back there. Now I find a product called Cedar Breather (by Benjamin Obdyke, www.obdyke.com) that claims to provide the best solution: airspace but no environment for critters, less labor involved than applying lath. Have no idea about the cost. Apparently no felt or TYVEK is necessary.
Has anyone had experience with this product?
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No experience with what you mentioned.
A few options...
1) Roll up section of window screening into a tube and simply staple it to the sheathing down near the mudsill. When the first clap is placed it compresses the screen into an oval that fills the space.
2) (preferred)Use a section of any type of cheap ridge vent, the kind that looks like a brillo pad on steroids. Cobra is one brand that comes to mind. You only need a 2-3 inch wide strip so a roll goes a long way. It provides much better insect protection than the rolled up screen. This also goes behind the first clap, in between the furring strips.
*Correct as usual Mongo... add to that, the advise of Do use furring strips, and I'd prefer #15 or #30 Felt paper over the Tyvek... but that's another story.
*George and Mongo,So, let me see if I have this straight. Even if I use felt instead of some Tyvex-type stuff, I should still create a space behind the clapboards? If I understand past discussions, you don't like Tyvek et al because of reactions between it and cedar. But regardless of what is applied to the sheathing, we still want airspace back there? Do you prefer felt even if the clapboard is applied to furring strips? If so, why? Seems a lot of you guys don't like Tyvek for other reasons than its interaction with cedar. What else is wrong with it, besides possibly the cost? Is it only Tyvek that people dislike or is it any of those types of wrap?
*Rufus-one of the problems I have with housewraps is the fact they just haven't been around (or at least in common use) for very long. I have torn apart many an old house with still good looking felt behind the siding or under the roofing. I believe I know what felt does, and believe it can last 100 years. I don't have the same confidence in housewraps, and despite what others think, I think of housewrap as a substitute for felt. I'm constantly asking, how is it better? Why should I change from a method that has stood the "test of time"? So far, I have not been convinced but I still ask. I'm definately interested in advancing our craft.George W. - could you please elaborate on your idea of paper OVER housewrap? I believe you know your stuff, and would like to hear your theory. - yb
*Bob, it must have been the "near-beer"... I meant to say, I Prefer felt paper to the newer Housewraps... same logic as your's. I've seen much good old felt, little good aged miracle wrap.
*sorry GWC, my bad. In rereading your post, I read your inflection a different way. Isn't that something? Awful easy to misconstue written word. - yb
*I read that post in just the way you did, bob. Had me wondering there....Language is a funny thing.Rich Beckman
*Rich, it's been a problem over the years... "I've been this country only a short distance" as Yakov Smirnoff would say.
*GWC. . . ya wanna quote ol Yakov with mashed potatoes in yer mouth. . .or is that potatoe mash. . . ??-pm