Insulating Balloon Framed Walls With Clapboard Siding

My wood frame house built in 1927 has wood shingles outside and plaster over rock lath inside.

Insulating balloon framed walls with clapboard siding.

Essentially anywhere there s trim there s moisture staining. Kevin delahanty ghent ny. What is the best way to insulate this type of house. We see online some sites indicate it s great to have and others mention possible moisture problems and go on to mention rot etc.

But if you use wood clapboard. The foam on the outside keeps the wood frame inside the wall warm and dry in winter and repels outdoor heat and moisture in summer. Contemplating having cellulose blown in. A balloon frame doesn t have this break and so a fire that starts in the basement can easily and very quickly spread to every floor of the house.

In the days of balloon framing house fires were all too common and most houses didn t survive long enough for the fire departments of the day to make much difference once they did get on site. Is it safe to put insulation in the walls or will i get water vapor condensing in the insulation causing mold and rot problems. Find out how to insulate the exterior walls of your home. We have an 1870 s two story balloon framed house just outside boston.

I demo d a few rooms in a 1929 balloon framed home. It adds up to a robust system. There were indications of prior moisture intrusion especially around windows and the outside corners. The wood clapboard siding is nailed directly to the studs.

Learn why 1 inch is the thickness that you want for your insulation. There is no sheathing or vapor barrier on the exterior. Balloon frame houses are challenging to insulate and seal because the wall studs extend past the floors. There has never been insulation in the walls there is ample coverage is in the attic.

I have a couple questions about my 1890 balloon frame house. I did search but didn t find anything on this topic here s the. The original siding is a wood clap siding with a paper under it later the house was covered in a type of tar paper and wire mesh to add a 1 1 2 cement stucco in a brick pattern one piece shell to give you an idea of outside make up. 1x6 sheathing and 1x8 bevel siding.

It is a wood balloon frame house with 1 thick sheathing boards 8 10 12 inches wide.