2 ms·

> A house should not breathe Well - first you have to define what "breathing" is, because I've talked to tradesmen who thought it meant allowing air in and out.

> A house should not breathe Well - first you have to define what "breathing" is, because I've talked to tradesmen who thought it meant allowing air in and out... Closer to the correct definition shared amongst building scientists is to allow the passage of water vapour. Many engineers would disagree with the approach of having non-breathable walls. If you're renovating old properties you are putting a LOT of faith in your VCL if you go this route. I like the concept of breathability personally, allied with high air tightness. But you have to use the right materials and, crucially, install it right.

throw0101a 8y ago
Yes, moisture transport is a lot higher with air leakage: * https://www.ecohome.net/guides/2316/the-difference-between-air-barriers-and-vapour-barriers/ https://www.ecohome.net/guides/2316/the-difference-between-a... However, if you're doing an air barrier, you can often get a moisture barrier "for free" nowadays. Since a lot of housing uses OSB/plywood, if you go with something like Huber's Zip System--which has a coating on it--you can save a lot on labour by only doing one pass around the house. Though you do have to seal the seems as well. Otherwise something like the popular Tyvek will get the job generally done, but there are peal-and-sticks as well that tend to be tighter (and vent as well, like Delta Vent). If one is okay with the cost, there's also the idea of simply closed cell foaming the entire house. :)