[Strawbale] Breathability of Wood Shakes and Roofing Felt

[Andrew Lund]

Hi all,

This summer we have built a cob/cordwood home with a
post-and-beam frame. For the gable ends of the house,
we framed them up with 2x8s and attached a 1x3 "skip
sheathing" to the outside. We did the clay slip/straw
insulation mix, and slip-formed up the walls with it.
That is, we would attach big sheets of wood to the
studs, pack the cavities with the straw/clay, then
move the forms up and continue to the top. This method
worked well, and we covered the inside of the wall
with an earthen plaster. We plan to attach wood shakes
to the skip-sheathing on the outside of the gables,
but are a little concerned about the breathability of
the shakes as you are supposed to install strips of
tar paper between each row of shakes. Won't this
defeat the purpose of the breathable wood as a siding
material?

The shakes do act as little dividers between each
length of paper, though.. Would that be enough to let
any moisture out of the wall?

I'm afraid to put the shakes on without the tar paper,
but the worst thing for this type of wall is sealing
it to the outside, so I'm not really sure what to do.
Any thoughts?

Thanks!
Andrew


 
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