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A blog for “air-tight” sheathing nuts

user-757117 | Posted in Green Building Techniques on

For those who are interested, here is a link to a blog that I have started about my building project.

Please note that the blog has only just gotten started and has a ways to go before it catches up to the actual project.

It generally covers the technical aspects of the build but I have also included (and will be adding) construction details for a “truss wall” with “air-tight” sheathing approach I have been working on.

I intend to update the blog once a week, but more (or possibly less) often as time permits.

Thanks to GBA for providing a venue for me to post my link.

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Replies

  1. homedesign | | #2

    Lucas, thanks for being a pioneer
    my favorite part is the detail section
    http://ourhouseuponmoosehill.blogspot.com/p/details.html
    I really, really like your illustrations
    I think you have a very good understanding of the pressure boundary

    I would like to see you post some of your up-close photos

  2. user-757117 | | #3

    Thanks John.
    I was originally going to try to post information in chronological order but I think I will skip back and forth.
    I will hopefully add some rough opening details and some close-up photos this weekend.

  3. user-757117 | | #4

    Martin,
    I presume it was you that inserted the link back into the text of the o.p.

    Thank you.

  4. user-788447 | | #5

    Lucas,
    You are generous to document your efforts for our benefit.
    Beautiful roofline by the way.

  5. user-757117 | | #6

    J,
    Thanks, but I can't take credit for drawing the roof.
    The elevations were provided by an architect but I did change the pitch from 8/12 to 6/12.

  6. user-716970 | | #7

    Hey Lucas
    Nice job with the blog and with your buid so far. Great that you are doing this...I just love reading about these sorts of journeys...

  7. user-716970 | | #8

    This is probably a really dumb question but how do I post comments on your blog...where it asks "select profile", which do I choose??

  8. user-757117 | | #9

    Garth,
    That's a good question.
    I had to look it up.
    Still figuring out how to do all this stuff myself.

    Probably the best way would be to set up a google account... I don't think you have to get a "gmail" adress - just use an existing email adress if you like.

    I enabled "Anonymous" posting too... for now anyway.

  9. user-716970 | | #10

    Lucas
    I tried again...I have a google account...still no good. I have this great little plumbing tip I wanted to share with you.

  10. user-757117 | | #11

    Garth, I'll check the settings.
    I'm not sure what's up, but I think I remember having a similar problem once on a friend's blog.
    Here's some info from "blogger help":
    http://www.google.ca/support/forum/p/blogger/thread?tid=407028f92daf0ad6&hl=en

    I'd like to hear what you have to say.

  11. user-716970 | | #12

    OK ..I'm in. Thanks.

  12. homedesign | | #13

    Lucas,
    I noticed that you have added more content....very nice

    Garth & Daniel E.,
    what method did you use to post comments?
    did you set up google accounts...or is there an easier way?

  13. user-716970 | | #14

    John
    I had a google account for e-mail already. The problem I had was that I had checked the "stay signed in box". By unchecking that, and signing in everytime I go to Lucas's blog, I am able to post comments.

  14. user-757117 | | #15

    JB,
    I wish it wasn't such a pain for people to post comments...

    I enabled anonymous posting but I'm not sure if that makes things any easier.
    Just be sure to use your real name ;-)

  15. Kopper37 | | #16

    John,

    I posted with name and title (no need for an account). There is a drop down box to select your profile (Google account), or choose another method.

  16. homedesign | | #17

    Hey Lucas, I noticed that you keep adding content
    keep up the good work.
    the anonymous posting worked for me

  17. user-757117 | | #18

    JB,
    I was glad to see that you were able to post a comment.
    I was hoping to post some more material this evening but my patience with the "blogger" editor has run out for tonight.
    Maybe tomorrow...

  18. homedesign | | #20

    Lucas, we may be among the few "airtight sheathing nuts"
    ...anyway...
    I especially like the photos you posted yesterday .... the close-up photos
    They show that framing AND framing materials are not-so-perfect ....
    the reality is not what we often see in "Auto-Cad drawings"
    I am attaching my interpretation of one of your details.

    I am trying to show how the materials are not-so-perfect
    I am also trying to show that there are TWO pressure bundaries
    Red indicates the interior boundary, light blue(cyan) indicates the exterior pressure boundary
    and dark blue indicates the tape.

    I am curious if you are going to (or already have) put a primer on the OSB-like Rim Joist before you install the tape.... it seems to me that the surface of the Rim Joist is very rough..and a primer would be useful/necessary

  19. user-757117 | | #21

    JB,
    I've mentioned before that I think your drawing program is very interesting in that it does a good job of making things look more "real".
    I excluded the "outside" pressure boundary from my details because I thought it would be too confusing...
    Your "interpretation" displays both boundaries very clearly. Very nice.
    Could I use it in my blog sometime?

    The rim board that was supplied with my joists is like OSB in that it has "smooth" and "rough" side.
    I experimented by sticking some 8067 to both sides and to the "end grain".
    The 8067 sticks well to the smooth side - although some loose chips sometimes have to be brushed off near nail penetrations.
    It sticks not-so-well on the "rough" side or the "end grain".

    I made sure to install the rim board with the "smooth" side out and have not used any primer.

    At outside corners there is exposed "end grain" on one board.
    I used 4" tape to seal the vertical joint at outside corners so as to bridge the "end grain".

    If we are among the few, then maybe my blog can help change some minds.
    So far I have been very happy with how "buildable" this approach is.

  20. user-757117 | | #22
  21. homedesign | | #23

    Lucas, I noticed you have added more stuff...it looks good
    I like your attention to detail
    The way you installed the "tape patch" before the interior partition
    and the way the plywood is detailed at the window openings

    I am courious about the plywood seam behind the partition...
    Are you planing to slide tape between the partition stud and the plywood where I show the question mark?...or did you install construction adhesive at the "tongue & V-groove" ?

  22. homedesign | | #24

    Lucas, I sure like your warm side Pressure Boundary
    I also understand the advantages of your service core....
    I am thinking that a less expensive and not-so-thick version could be built without the service core.
    Keep the Airtight Plywood (with tape & Gaskets) ... only place the Drywall flush with the plywood.
    It seems to me that it would still be more user friendly, more airtight and more durable than "ADA with Goo as you Go"

  23. user-757117 | | #25

    I am courious about the plywood seam behind the partition...
    Are you planing to slide tape between the partition stud and the plywood where I show the question mark?...

    Ha!
    JB, you are VERY observant!
    You spotted my "secret shame".

    I was careful to install a patch at the top seam as you mentioned but...
    For some reason - I have no excuse - I forgot to put a patch at the other (mid wall) seam.

    That's why I've been repeating myself on my blog "ensure proper application..." etc.
    That very question mark you made was where I learned how easily a detail can fall through the cracks even when the builder IS paying attention.

    I ended up "sliding" a piece of tape behind the stud but it involved some prying and creative tape application.

  24. user-757117 | | #26

    I will get a picture of how that patch turned out later.
    Here is what that same section of wall looks like now:

  25. user-757117 | | #27

    Keep the Airtight Plywood (with tape & Gaskets) ... only place the Drywall flush with the plywood.

    I was thinking of doing that in some places...
    Where there are no wires or pipes and doesn't look funny.

    How do you think you might detail electrical boxes/fixtures etc?

  26. homedesign | | #28

    Lucas, I have not done any research... but perhaps something like this
    http://www.airfoilinc.com/demo/demo.html

  27. homedesign | | #29

    Hey Lucas...I noticed you are adding content ...looks good

    I also like the way that you are keeping the same vantage point for your progress photos on this page
    http://ourhouseuponmoosehill.blogspot.com/p/montage.html

    Is it possible to start a new page for some of your random photos?

  28. user-757117 | | #30

    Thanks John.
    And thanks for the suggestion.
    I was going to try to do some work on the blog tonight so I'll see what I can do.

  29. user-757117 | | #31

    John,
    Now that I have moved the insulation away from the walls...
    Here are some photos of the plywood seam behind the partion walls you noticed earlier.

  30. homedesign | | #32

    Hey Lucas,
    The House and the Blog are looking really good
    I like your music picks too

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