Project Outline

EDDT 231 – APPLIED RESEARCH PROJECT

Project: Assess the common inadequacies within the exterior wall assemblies in older pre-code buildings, and give an affordable and sustainable solution that ensures heating retention efficiency.

Steps: In order to achieve my project goal, I will be:
-inspecting a series of older homes to identify the problems,
-interviewing home owners to assess their complaints,
-look at case studies relative to my own,
-and review books and articles that relate to wall assemblies (includes: insulation, building
materials, etc.)

Special Problems:

1. Low budgets for renovations
2. Tricky situations = multiple solutions
3. Changes taking place within the living space (impact on living standards)


References:

Canada's Office of Energy Efficiency (2004) Keeping the heat in. [Ottawa] : Office of Energy Efficiency, 2004

Colin Smith (1942) This cold house : the simple science of energy efficiency. Baltimore : Johns Hopkins University Press, 2007

BRITISH COLUMBIA (2006) British Columbia Building Code .[Victoria, B.C.] : Ministry of Forests and Range and Minister Responsible for Housing, 2006.

(2005) Canadian Wood-Frame House Construction. Ottowa: CMHC, 2005

Thomas J. Glover (1989) Pocket Ref. Colorado: Sequoia Publishing 2003

Preliminary investigation/Project Outline update

Hello all! I've managed to get ahold of my camera so I can now post those pictures i promised in my previous post. Also, to clarify, this report is going to be secifically on the exterior wall assemblies from houses that were built before Part 9 of the BCBC (British Columbia Building Code) took affect. Or more specifically, older Westsyde houses.
Over the next year or so, I plan to be doing multiple renovations so I will be able to deduct what the real problem issues are, and assess an affordable, sustainable solution. I'll come to this conclusion through the study of multiple resources and consultation of knowledgeable professionals. All comments are welcome and appreciated.

Preliminary investigation

So far, this wekend I've managed to partially gut the bathroom in an attempt to indentify some of the problems within the wall assemblies.
I've found that the windows have been installed with no protective membranes (blue skin), which doesn't surprise me, considering that there s a noticeable draft comming from multiple windows within the building.They've also been installed in a fashion that doesn't allow water to be channeled to the exterior wall face, allowing the moisture to sit in the wall assembly causing mold and wood rot. Most likely I'll have to replace the windows with some more energy efficient windows, and properly seal their instalation.
Also, the exterior walls are only 2"x4" stud walls, with one layer of what appears to be R12 or R16 batt. insulation. Now, because the funds to rebuild the whole house aren't available, I'll have to improvise and find an insulation that will fit in the 2"x4" wall space and give the appropriate "R" value.
I've already pulled off some of the siding and found that the exterior of the envelope isn't too bad, just not too aesthetically appeasing.
I have some pictures of these descriptions but have accidentally misplaced my camera, but they will be posted soon.
Feel free to comment, any constructive critism is more than welcome.

Welcome

Welcome to all who are willing to make a constuctive comment and help determine the best way to bring my house up to code (Main focus is insulation). I look forward to hearing what ideas you all have.