Wall ID: 5520

Summary

• While sheathings with extremely low permeance might raise questions of trapped moisture within the assembly, thousands of such walls exist and seem to perform relatively well. Several factors may be contributing to this performance such as drying towards the outside through gaps in the polyiso sheathing, and better than expected tightness of the polyethylene vapour barrier/retarder to both air leakage and vapour diffusion.
  
  Where workmanship on airtightness is lacking, this wall will not be a durable wall in any climate zone. The addition of the exterior insulative sheathing greatly reduces the risk of interstitial condensation by raising the temperature of the wall assembly inboard of it. However the low vapour permeability of the insulative sheathing reduces the drying potential of the assembly inboard of it towards the outside, so care must be taken to minimize the leakage of warm, moist indoor air into the assembly by means of a continuous air barrier. Rain water leaks into the assembly must also be carefully managed by proper detailing and use of flashings and/or sealants.
  
  
• The addition of the exterior insulative sheathing greatly reduces the risk of interstitial condensation by raising the temperature of the wall assembly inboard of it. However the low vapour permeability of the insulative sheathing reduces the drying potential of the assembly inboard of it towards the outside, so care must be taken to minimize the leakage of warm, moist indoor air into the assembly by means of a continuous air barrier. Rain water leaks into the assembly must also be carefully managed by proper detailing and use of flashings and/or sealants.
  
  The variable permeance vapour retarder also allows drying towards the inside making this a fairly durable wall in all the climate zones listed. The very low vapour permeability of the foil faced insulative sheathing greatly reduces or eliminates the outward drying potential of the assembly inboard of it, so extra special care must be taken to minimize the leakage of warm, moist indoor air into the assembly by means of a continuous interior air barrier, and rain water leaks into the assembly must also be very carefully managed by proper detailing and use of flashings/sealants etc.

Energy & Thermal Performance

• Advanced framing as defined by NBC 9.36.2.4. (1) (e.g. insulated headers, 2 stud corners, ladder blocking, and in-line framing) can potentially reduce the framing factor by 10% to 20%)
• Maximum nominal R-value of cavity insulation is typically limited to R19,20,22,24 (fiberglass batt) to R30 with medium density spray-applied insulation
• Continuous exterior Insulation significantly minimizes the effect of thermal bridging and enhances overall effective R-value of the entire assembly
• Due to the limited permeance of exterior insulation materials, keeping the wall dry through detailed flashing and rigorous air barrier applications is important

Exterior Moisture/Wetting

• Care must be taken at all penetrations and transitions (windows, etc.) by use of proper detailing as well as sealants and/or flashing to ensure water does not leak into the assembly.
• The lapped board/bevelled wood siding is rain shedding, and therefore acts as a rain screen when installed properly in accordance to manufacturer instructions. All field cut edges must be caulked, painted or primed. Flashing must be installed behind each siding butt joint.
• Unlike polyethylene, a variable permeance "smart" vapour retarder will help the assembly dry to the inside and help reduce risk of moisture accumulation. 
• The lapped board/beveled wood siding must be installed over 3/4" or thicker vertical furring to provide ventilation behind the cladding.
• Built-in construction moisture must be managed to reasonable levels.
• The lapped board/bevelled wood siding is non-absorptive and rain shedding.

Air Leakage Transported Moisture from Inside

• The effect of the insulative sheathing is a reduced risk of interstitial condensation on the wood sheathing or in the stud cavity from warm moisture-laden interior air leaking into the wall assembly, as the insulative sheathing raises the temperature inboard of it, causing the dew point in the heating season mostly to fall outboard of the inner surface of the insulative sheathing.
• For colder climates, the thickness of the insulative sheathing must be increased to maintain dew point condensation from falling outside of the inner surface of the stud cavity and insulative sheathing.
• Air leakage into the assembly must be managed by means of a continuous air barrier (preferably both interior and exterior). Proper detailing at any connection or penetrations (window openings, electrical boxes, plumbing penetrations etc.), will also help reduce heating and air conditioning costs.
• Due to the vapour impermeable foil facing on the insulative sheathing, it is recommended that a variable permeance vapour retarding membrane (such as variable permeance "smart" vapour retarder) be installed instead of polyethylene.
• An exterior air barrier approach by taping the joints on the foil face of the insulative sheathing may not be desirable for this assembly as it may reduce any air leakage related drying potential towards the outside, but here the asphalt impregnated 30 minute paper now becomes important as a drainage plane

Water Vapour Diffusion from Outside

• Solar driven moisture is not a significant issue with vinyl, fibre cement, metal, Maibec type coated wood siding (with all surfaces coated) or other similar non-absorptive and rain-shedding sidings, provided they are detailed properly, they have a ventilated (openings at the top and bottom of the assembly) air gap minimum 3/8" behind them, and that they are installed in accordance to manufacturer guidelines.
• The non-absorptive lapped board siding does not have significant solar driven moisture issues when installed properly in accordance to manufacturer instructions. All field cut edges must be caulked, painted or primed. Flashing must be installed behind each siding butt joint.

Water Vapour Diffusion from Inside

• Vapour diffusion from the inside must be controlled by the installation of a vapour retarding membrane (such as polyethylene, a vapour retarder paint or variable permeance "smart" vapour retarder if the code allows) on the inside behind the gypsum board or painted onto the gypsum board according to code.
• Due to the vapour impermeable foil facing on the insulative sheathing, there is a risk of interstitial condensation, thus vapour diffusion from the inside must be controlled by the variable permeance "smart" vapour retarder.

Drying Potential

• If low vapour permeance insulative sheathing is used in an assembly, the outward drying potential of the wall is greatly reduced.
• Built-in moisture must be managed to reasonable levels.

Ease of Construction

• This wall is easily constructed through traditional stick frame methods on-site
• Exterior wood sheathing provides both structural resistance to "racking" and a nailing substrate for cladding materials
• 19.2" stud spacing will typically require exterior sheathing and/or insulation panels to be installed horizontally, whereas 16" and 24" stud spacing can accommodate vertically installed panels (most panel goods have fastener spacing guidelines printed on the material based on vertical installation)
• Insulation, weather barrier and air barrier details and materials are readily available and understood within the Canadian industry
• Constructing walls with exterior insulation is rapidly becoming common practice in some Canadian Zones
• Handling, application and process integration of rigid insulation by Suppliers and Framers can initially affect cycle time - however, production cycle times quickly return to normal after the first few built units
• Materials such as studs, wood sheathing panels and/or insulation sheet goods are readily available in pre-cut lengths for 8' and 9' wall heights
• Exterior insulating sheathing can be an effective exterior air barrier when joints and seams are properly sealed with compatible air barrier qualified tapes, mastic, or caulking
• Advanced framing as defined by NBC 9.36.2.4. (1) (e.g. insulated headers, 2 stud corners, ladder blocking, and in-line framing can potentially reduce the framing factor by 10% to 20%) could be further enhanced through in-line framing wherein double top plates can be limited to single plates (this is most efficiently done by referencing the roof truss layout spacing prior to laying out the first wall assembly) . See http://www.performancewalls.org/?content=app_pf_afadvantages.
• Prior to installation, furring strips shall be installed. It is very important to ensure adequate air circulation and drainage between the siding and sheathing so that walls can dry in all seasons and conditions. It is critical to follow manufacturer installation requirements and local prevailing building codes regarding drainage details and/or rain screen requirements.
• Wood siding cannot be applied DIRECTLY over/in contact with concrete forms (ICF) or continuous exterior insulated foam sheathings . See wood siding manufacturers installation requirements for fastening instructions when applying to ICF or insulated foam sheathing assemblies.
• The fastener spacing, size, and embedment into the backup wall attaching the insulation and cladding depends on the cladding weight, the stud spacing of the backup wall, the sheathing type and thickness, and the exterior insulation type and thickness.

Affordability: Cost Implications

• Cost of exterior rigid insulation material and labour vary widely from region to region
• Alternative bracing methods can be substituted for the wood sheathing panel (e.g. T-slot inlet bracing) - however, details for wall bracing, tall walls, and more than 3-storey construction may require additional engineering
• Wall thickness adjustment could require minor increase of foundation wall thickness (e.g. 8" to 10" foundation width) and increase costs
• Wall thickness adjustment could require minor jamb extensions or additional trim details on openings in the enclosure (i.e. for windows and doors)
• Advanced framing as defined by NBC 9.36.2.4. (1) (e.g. insulated headers, 2 stud corners, ladder blocking, and in-line framing) can potentially reduce overall lumber costs by upwards of 10 to 20% (i.e. for softwood and panel products)

Esthetics: Architectural Design

• This wall assembly design can be used up to 3 storey construction under most prevailing building codes
• Exterior wood sheathing provides a nailing substrate for cladding materials including various siding applications (vertical or horizontal)
• Wall thickness adjustment could require minor increase of foundation wall thickness (e.g. 8" to 10" foundation width) and increase costs
• Wall thickness adjustment could require minor jamb extensions or additional trim details on openings in the enclosure (i.e. for windows and doors)
• Exterior wall dimension width may have minor effect on interior dimensions (i.e. stair widths on exterior walls and overall interior useable square footage)