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Spray foam is not cheap, and it has a pretty high ecological impact so we don’t love it, but it will work as the insulation, the air barrier and the vapor barrier. If you choose to strip wall from the outside all the way to the lath and plaster, or if you have to do that to avoid encroaching on neighbouring properties then spray foam will work fine. see this page about choosing the right rigid insulation and when they act as a vapor barrier.Īfter that, be sure to install siding so walls can stay dry (see here), and then install the new cladding. Add an exterior air barrier membrane, using a peel and stick exterior air barrier will likely be your best chance to make the house airtight.įrom there add rigid insulation, and you can see here our page about choosing the best rigid insulation for exterior walls, and the short story on THAT is… the safest is Rockwool / mineral wool insulation as it does not trap moisture, and other than that, if you’re doing foam then the more you do the better, it will be a vapor barrier, but if there is enough of it that’s not a problem. It’s a 1961 home that had no insulation in the stud. We are doing a gut remodel and our exterior walls are made up of stucco, lath, and Plaster Kraft building paper attached to 2x4 studs. So the short story on how to do it is as follows – remove the siding and take the wall back to the sheathing or sheathing boards if that’s what you have. Very helpful article I’m looking for recommendations on insulating/air sealing the exterior walls as part of our home remodel in San Diego, CA zone 3. It is pretty safe to assume that a house old enough to have lath and plaster does not have a poly vapor barrier, which is a bit of an advantage when it comes to installing additional insulation on the outside of walls. If you don’t have space restrictions then leaving the sheathing on and not disturbing the entire wall would be the easiest way to do it. As the plaster dried, the asbestos fibers got embedded in the plaster surface because they had been mixed into the moist plaster mixture. Look for a board with a moisture resistance rating of EN 636-3 Class C or above. Lath and plaster were extensively reinforced with asbestos in the past to boost their fire resistance. This will ensure that any dampness in the structure is not allowed to come through the walls. So a first question – do you have property lines in close proximity on either side preventing you from expanding the exterior dimension of the house? in tight urban areas that’s often the case is the reason I ask. You want to make sure that you use a moisture resistant board when boarding over lath and plaster. See this page here first for more information - The best way to insulate the exterior of old housesīefore you gut the entire wall from the outside, easier would be leaving it as is and adding insulation if you have the space. Due to the natural materials including cork and lime, it is lightweight, robust, and elastic, meaning it can deal with some movement within the building structure, providing an effective base for flooring.If you are removing the siding of an old house, the best way to add insulation is to the exterior. With options that include small grain sizes, our thermal plasters provide an excellent finish, able to navigate curves and maintain beautiful period features of older properties whilst also protecting them from uneven temperatures and the conditions that encourage the formation of condensation and mould.Īs well as thermal plaster for walls, we also stock insulating floor screed, made from natural materials that provide insulating benefits, as well as acoustic dampening and a smooth finish. Ideal for providing an ecologically conscious option for thermal insulation in heritage buildings, our insulating plaster products can be applied to solid walls, with products designed for external and internal applications. Not only do these materials help to keep your building warm in winter and cool in summer, but they also offer humidity regulation, excellent breathability and water repellence. Our range of insulating plaster and screed products includes plasters that are made with natural materials like clay and lime, and naturally insulating cork.