Hey Carl, how's this project coming along? Were into the other thermal extreme now, highs in the 30-34C range this week - yeahhh!
More reading to do here, I have an interest in this subject this week also. This seems like the final word on the subject because it comes from the Government
It does have lots of detail you don't typically find on YT and other sources, plus neat illustrations!
Keeping the Heat Inhttps://www.nrcan.gc.ca/kthiKeeping The Heat In - Chapter 4: Comprehensive air leakage controlhttps://www.nrcan.gc.ca/energy/efficien ... trol/15635Keeping The Heat In - Chapter 6: Basement insulationhttps://www.nrcan.gc.ca/energy/efficien ... tion/15639The latter on basement insulation is my project this week, of note:
6.2.3 Frame wall with single or double layer of batt insulationQuote:
To protect the insulation, framing and wall finish from possible water damage, cover the basement walls with house wrap. Plastic was once the material of choice, but in some cases where air and moisture entered the insulated wall, condensation formed on the plastic and caused wetting and mould issues within the wall.
By using house wrap, moisture (not excessive and not leakage) that penetrates the new wall will dry out either into the interior of the house or to the top of the foundations that are above grade. The building paper should start at or just above the grade line and extend down to the basement floor and under the bottom plate of the frame wall. Mechanically support it with strapping such as 1 x 3 lumber.
This is super-interesting, and runs counter to what most people would think to do, including Mike Holmes and myself. Using a sheet of ploy "on the warm side" is not necessary below grade according to this doctrine.
Anybody care to weigh in on this? The Ontario Building Code is unclear I think, and seems to contradict the Feds regarding the combined use of vapour barriers and house wrap below grade.
http://www.mah.gov.on.ca/AssetFactory.aspx?did=8405 See page 36, it seems to call for a "low vapour permeance membrane" AKA house wrap, as well as a vapour barrier:
Quote:
Ensure the vapour barrier covers all thermally insulated components on their wintertime warm side and is properly installed in the header space areas.
I guess the logic is to allow any moisture that has permeated from below grade would have an opportunity to exit the structure through the exposed concrete at the top of the wall. It does not say (or I missed it) whether using poly VB on the warm side of the studs will create problems or trap moisture, but it seems like an added layer of protection during periods of high atmospheric RH. Then there's this new stuff MemBrain™ Continuous Air Barrier & Smart vapour Retarder
https://www.certainteed.ca/building-ins ... /membrain/ NOT shilling that, but the NRC source mentions it in 6.2.5.
I'm trying to do this without having to deal with full height spray foam or rigid panels, cost and practicality being the main factors. OK cost being 95% of the reason. My intention is to fill 2x6 wooden studs with Rockwool Comfortbatt R22 (made in Milton), with spray foamed joist bays/rim joists/sill plates.
To further roil the waters, there's competing internet chatter such as:
https://forums.redflagdeals.com/basemen ... e-2093366/