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Smawgunner
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# Posted: 17 Mar 2015 12:27
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Hey all,
In my log cabin, for the outside it's wood clad siding over vertical wood planks...those are nailed to the logs. On the inside upstairs they added an additional 1/2 story with studs. Mind you the addition is over 100 years old. So I'm trying to mouse proof the best I can and seal up any air leaks. So when I install paper backed batted insulation, would you then run plastic over that and nail to the studs for additional vapor barrier? I'll seal everything up with outdoor use sheets of plywood. I'm in Ohio and it gets DARN cold!
Thanks!
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Malamute
Member
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# Posted: 17 Mar 2015 21:11
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I've heard NOT to use both paper faced and plastic. It can accumulate moisture between the two and cause mold.
Many people around here stopped using faced insulation.
Its much easier to get plastic vapor barrier tight and leak proof than paper faced insulation. I tape all the seams and edges also.
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ClimberKev
Member
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# Posted: 18 Mar 2015 16:23
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I've always found that unfaced insulation covers much better and it's cheaper. It's much easier to see the gaps and fix them before things get closed in. Then cover the interior side with 4 mil. plastic.
Since paper is a vapor barrier using both seems redundant to me.
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Steve_S
Member
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# Posted: 24 Mar 2015 09:53
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I always understood that paper backed insulation was not to be used in conjunction with plastic vapour barrier. Also by electrical code in my province, all boxes for plugs, switches which are on "cold walls" have to be sealed properly as well towards the inside, which prevents air infiltration / exchange between the warm-side & cold-side.
I don't know if you have the insulation as yet but considering your building, critter prevention efforts etc... would it not be more prudent to use Rockwool like Roxul as opposed to fiberglass ? Especially given the variations with the log thicknesses an spacing to the planks etc... I'm just thinking about moisture retention & wicking potentials, as rockwool is much more resistant to it in comparison to FG.
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Smawgunner
Member
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# Posted: 24 Mar 2015 12:49
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You may have a point Steve and I'm looking into it. It's a new product for me and I don't know much about it. I am familiar with mice though! They will bed in anything. No odor deterents ever work. I've tried it all. They produce faster than rabbits and the only way to deal with them is to keep them out.
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Steve_S
Member
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# Posted: 24 Mar 2015 16:27
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Agreed on Mouse Reproduction and eliminating them is much harder than planning in advance for potential Invasion of Mice. Many years ago, we had to burn a cabin because it was so infested and coated in mouse pee (they pee as they run !) that the local Health Unit suggested a burn as safer than demolishing because of the potentials for Hanta Virus (there was an outbreak at the time). BAD STUFF that Hanta Virus !
I talked with my local Building Inspector (a really terrific guy) a few hrs ago when I went to pay the property tax bills... asked him about the paper backed insulation with plastic vapour barrier... his words... "DON'T DO IT!" apparently it's mould haven and will start to rot. He also mentioned that using Roxul is better than FG - Then very puzzlingly asked me why I am asking such, as he knows I am "foam addicted", so I had to tell him I was asking for a Friend...
He then suggested something I hadn't even considered... He said that the treated cellulose fibre insulation that can be used as dense blown in insulation (apparently there are different kinds) works really well in Part Time housing because it handles moisture very well, bugs don't like it at all (part of the treatment) and that mice dislike it as well. I suppose this makes sense depending on what the cellulose if treated with and also being fire retardant is a bonus.
So Smawgunner, your upgraded to Friend now ! LOL  I did not want to bother him much as he was on his way out to do some work but I took the chance to ask his opinion. Hope it helps - left me wondering a bit :P Sticking to my Foam !
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creeky
Member
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# Posted: 24 Mar 2015 18:16
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speaking of Roxul. have a look at the roxul site. they have a board for exterior application that looks really interesting. and excellent instructions for application. looks like an xps replacement.
i understand that roxul is more expensive in the US. here in canada a couple of the big boxes get a price war going every spring. so watch for spring sales on roxul. last year it was cheaper than pink.
critters will not nest in roxul. but they will tunnel and nest beside / under etc.
and birds love roxul. they will tear it up if left exposed and incorporate into their nests.
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Smawgunner
Member
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# Posted: 24 Mar 2015 22:01
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Here is what their website says about rodents:
RE ROXUL PRODUCTS RODENT RESISTANT?
There is no test method to determine whether or not any product is rodent resistant. ROXUL's reputation as a rodent-resistant insulation is mainly based on word of mouth and lack of negative feedback from numerous customers who use our products in "cottage country".
Also, since I'm in Ohio, it can get pretty cold. I didn't see any insulation values and that's the number one need from whatever product I end up going with. Any way to compare it to R values?
Thanks all!
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MtnDon
Member
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# Posted: 24 Mar 2015 23:39
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Roxul R-values
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razmichael
Member
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# Posted: 25 Mar 2015 03:56
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Quoting: creeky i understand that roxul is more expensive in the US. here in canada a couple of the big boxes get a price war going every spring. so watch for spring sales on roxul. last year it was cheaper than pink.
I used Roxul in my cabin at was easily able to get it at cheaper (per R) than pink when on sale (in Canada). The price has really dropped over the last few years up here (it is a Canadian product although I see that they have opened up a manufacturing plant in the US). I would never go back to Pink - the Roxul is so easy to cut and fit.
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Smawgunner
Member
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# Posted: 25 Mar 2015 07:58
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Thanks Don, that's really pretty comparable to the "pink". Where I'm at you have to special order the stuff. Gotta check out prices.
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