How to Insulate When The Back of The Siding is Exposed

Architecture on this project by:
Jen Hill of CDK Architects

Huge thanks to our Show sponsors USG/Tremco, Polywall, Huber, Dorken Delta, Prosoco, Marvin Windows, Rockwool & Endura for helping to make these videos possible! These are all trusted companies that Matt has worked with for years and trusts their products in the homes he builds.

[jameslambert]

Great information!
Great choices to choose from.
You covered alot of "bases"!
I love THESE multi choice videos.
God Bless and Thanks!

[rjtumble]

Great video Matt. I’ve recently discovered one of those Japanese pull saws (the kind with a saw on both sides of the blade) works really well for cutting spray foam. It’s super flexible, so you can get the blade flat with the studs and it’s sharp enough that you get a nice clean cut.

[glasshalfempty]

5:05 "poor man's spray foam" when those 4 x 8 sheets are 30 to 50 bucks each for the thicker ones. Yikes.

[duanebarney]

Good information and detail, I can't imagine how many builders would put this much consideration or effort into those insulation details, so much to keep in mind.

[DavidJones-mzzw]

I'm a little late to the party, but wanted to send a huge thanks for posting this video. Currently dealing with a very similar situation in a 1942 East Texas home. Gutted the kitchen about two weeks ago and was literally walking out the door to go to the hardware store this AM to buy 6 mil plastic and kraft-papered fiberglass insulation. Second-guessed myself (and the guy from the local hardware store) and checked your channel for related videos. Luckily found this one! Still went to the hardware store to check similar products/options, but didn't find anything that resembled Delta Dry and wasn't impressed with the alternatives to Delta Vent S. So, I am ordering the Delta products! Going to do this job right! Anyways... Keep up the great work and please keep those product recommendations coming. Sometimes knowing WHAT to buy is the hardest part. The rest is usually easy, thanks to proper/professional advice from people like you. Thanks for all you do, sir!

[ricsoares]

Mat: that dimple matt looks to be vapor impermeable. If so why would you need a air barrier over the dimple mat if you're using close cell to seal the dimple mat to the studs. In fact the closed cell is also an air barrier so again why would you need that black paper over the dimple mat?

[ralphl]

I sprayed primer on the back of my bare 1870's siding, used high density R-15 fiberglass batts and a plastic film vapor barrier. I was worried about our NC humidity, and thought about not caulking a siding overlap top and bottom, but didn't. Took all the paint off the outside, sanded & scraped to fresh wood (not gray), brushed on 50/50 linseed oil/thinner, then primed and painted. Biggest problem in 18 years has been the window sills. And my back.

[nickeckemoff]

Excellent advise. Sums up best practices using multiple methods.

[chiefrocka]

With the rockwool, I thought the Delta was vapor permiable and the rockwool is vapor permiable, so wouldn't that lead to moisture on the back of the sheetrock?

[WilliamVallance]

This is great mini series. I have a 1900 house in Michigan that some day I would want to insulate. With the hole idea of closed cell foam I've been wondering what a good solution would be. This gives me some knowledge to compare with what local contractors may suggest.

[dakdylan]

Hey Matt, really like your takes on concepts that are new to me like vapors drive and air sealing. I’ve been in a dilemma weighing between allowing part of wall cavities to breathe, like how the scuba pipes were used in the top plate in this video, and reducing the effectiveness of fire stops. I am probably not understanding it fully and wanted to get your take on it. Thanks

[skytrip]

I have watched enough videos, and read enough blogs that foam insulation is not good for that wood.

[Thumbhit]

ON a 100 yr old home in KC we drove nails along the 2x6 studs about 1 inch from ext sheathing and then put in 1/2" ployisocyanurate 3.2 R, cuts easy and tight, then caulked. After sheetrock holes were bored and they pumped in cellulose.

[mattvaitkunas]

Why do you need to use the delta vent vapor and water barrier? Wont 2 inches of spray foam be an air and vappr barrier?

[patrickduggan]

I live in Iowa and we talked all wires going into the attic to prevent air from coming down the hall and out the receptacle or switch plates

[marcrobinson]

Matt, since this video is a few years old now...is the Delta wrap still preferred? Could I use Delta Reflexx on interior walls? Thank you!

[acdnintheusa]

+Matt Risinger, I know you’re always looking down the road. I’m curious how your solution might play into a siding replacement if required in the future. Would it just be a matter of sheeting the exterior and adding another moisture barrier before any new siding was installed? Thank you.

[Usonian]

Matt, Thank you for posting about this old remodel, I'm currently renovating the bathroom and laundry room in my 1950's slab ranch in Michigan because of mold and water damage and it's super helpful. I watch every video and am trying to talk my wife into closed cell foam prices lol.
Is there anywhere I could as a diy guy, get consultations for best practices?

[Bigshoots]

I live in a cape cod style house with siding like this and the upstairs is FLAMING HOT during the Summer in California

[jakubmakalowski]

This is what I need for my house. fortunately I haven't started any wall or ceiling work