| << . 1 . 2 . |
| Author |
Message |
rpe
Member
|
# Posted: 24 Feb 2026 01:38pm
Reply
I bought a couple 4'x100' rolls of the 1/4" hardware cloth on sale a few years back for around $50 a roll. Today's pricing is likely similar between ply and the hardware cloth. We have an outbuilding with 1/4" ply soffits, and the tree rats chewed their way in and made condos in there.
|
|
Keokuk Ridge
Member
|
# Posted: 28 Feb 2026 11:32am
Reply
Sorry I cannot provide constructive feedback to your question, but I do have a question.
I am in the process of building a cabin. So far all I have is the foundation and subfloor. It’s a slow process, because I live 5 hours away from my build. I plan to retire there.
I put Tyvek on the bottom of the joists and then covered with 1/4 inch hardware cloth. There is 3-4 feet of crawl space under the cabin. I have a plastic barrier on the ground to reduce moisture rising from the ground. The plan is to enclose the bottom and seal it up so critters can’t get in. I will also use it for storage.
I have been concerned that the Tyvek and hardware cloth won’t be the optimal long term solution.
So I’m curious, did you have hardware cloth covering the vapor barrier, plastic underlayment on the ground and was the crawl space enclosed and sealed off?
It would be easier to fix any poor decision I have made now before it gets finished and enclosed.
So insight on your cabin subfloor construction and how it held up could be helpful in my current build.
|
|
Brettny
Member
|
# Posted: 28 Feb 2026 04:01pm
Reply
I mean a 3-4ft crawl space is storage but a pretty crappy storage area when you have to crawl around on your hands and knees to see anything. Build a shed and don't skirt the building. Nothing to vent, no moisture problems and no cridder problems.
|
|
gcrank1
Member
|
# Posted: 28 Feb 2026 05:12pm
Reply
2nd that
|
|
DRP
Member
|
# Posted: 28 Feb 2026 06:01pm
Reply
Umm, you're seeing the critter problems.
|
|
philpom
Member
|
# Posted: 28 Feb 2026 09:20pm
Reply
Quoting: Keokuk Ridge I have been concerned that the Tyvek and hardware cloth won’t be the optimal long term solution. So I’m curious, did you have hardware cloth covering the vapor barrier, plastic underlayment on the ground and was the crawl space enclosed and sealed off?
It was not closed off and I did not have hardware cloth or ply covering the bottom. I'll never close in or skirt the bottom but I am now considering options to cover and protect the underneath. The foundation itself is in great shape. It's 2x12 over 2x12 with 3/4" subfloor. Everything from the subfloor to the piers is pressure treated.
I feel hardware cloth would have been a great idea, or even closing in with ply though some have noted that squirrels could chew through it. If you have tyvek with hardware cloth I think your good.
My worst critter problem besides the insulation problem is raccoons climbing up my back porch and breaking through the screened patio. A pain to repair. That and carpenter bees.
It stays bone dry under the cabin, we're on a hill and on the slope above the cabin 3' away is a retaining wall that was back filled for a 2 car port. All rain runoff is diverted around the cabin. We're about 18" off the ground at that point and I'd guess 6' on the other end. I have considered putting a root cellar there.
|
|
| << . 1 . 2 . |
