[Greenbuilding] [BULK] Re: vapor retarder/barrier?

[Corwyn]

On Oct 19, 2006, at 21:43, Jefro wrote:
> We are also debating when to put it in.  I would like to sheathe the
> outside and wrap, and then let the inside just breathe for a while, as
> we are using a lot of lumber that we milled onsite and it is very green
> and wet.  It's one thing to have "breatheable" walls, but another to
> actually seal up the wall before the moisture level is down as far as 
> it
> can go.

Depending on the thickness of you wood, it can take quite a long time 
to dry.   Years even.

You might try getting a decent air flow through the house, and heating 
it up hot for a few days.

> What do you think of the idea of running all wires in conduit, as some
> folks do with cellulose?  We won't have any plumbing in outside walls,
> but if so I would probably sleeve it to make it easier (possible) to 
> fix
> later on.  I imagine pulling a cellulose wall apart is a bit messier
> than one stuffed with batts.  I'll definitely run communications wires
> in conduit, but haven't decided about romex yet.

I am so glad that I ran all my wires in raceways.  I can open them at 
anytime and rewire (which I have done).

Concerning vapor barrier, I can't imagine the use in having a vapor 
barrie on the walls but not the roof.  You would seem to need to 
isolate the walls from the roof which is not a common thing to do.  
THat said, vapor barriers are a controversial subject and vary local 
climate dependent.