Air sealing overkill?
user-4885540
| Posted in Energy Efficiency and Durability on
Climate zone 6 in SW MT. Our walls are up and consist of Zip R12 taped and all nails skimmed with tape or liquid flash. For wall cavity we are doing rock wool batts for a total r value of ~R35. I have a somewhat skeptical view of tapes even though the zip tape adhesion is quite incredible. Is it overkill to use something like Contega HF to caulk the inside picture frame where the stud and the Zip R meet as a belt and suspenders “hedge” against tape or installation failure either now or in the future?
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Replies
Sounds like the field of the walls is perfect let’s think about the other joints.
How is the Zip connected to the foundation?
How is the zip connected to the ceiling air barrier?
The way I see it I paid a lot for my Zip and tape and I choose to believe I made a good choice and the Zip and the tape will stay tight for many years, only time will tell.
Walta
Did you roll the Zip tape and seal all panel edges where they meet other materials? Do you have good details for integrating windows, doors and ceiling or roof into a continuous air control layer? If so, you shouldn't need to caulk the interior, but it wouldn't hurt anything if you did.