Good evening,
In my search for a timber house builder, I have now narrowed it down to two favorites. Since they are quite similar in terms of appearance (facade, structure, etc.), I am now examining which facade construction is better. This is where the two companies definitely differ.
Company 1 (from outside to inside):
Company 2 (from outside to inside):
Both constructions basically differ in that Company 1 uses membranes (diffusion-open wind and vapor barrier films), while Company 2 uses a 16 mm (0.6 inches) wood fiber insulation board and a 15 mm (0.6 inches) OSB board at the same layers. According to the company, this assembly is also diffusion-open. As a layperson, I find it difficult to compare these constructions.
Is either of these methods inadvisable? Are there significant advantages or disadvantages?
In accordance with forum rules, I am not naming the builders or brand names of the components. If needed, I can upload photos of the assemblies.
Thank you very much.
In my search for a timber house builder, I have now narrowed it down to two favorites. Since they are quite similar in terms of appearance (facade, structure, etc.), I am now examining which facade construction is better. This is where the two companies definitely differ.
Company 1 (from outside to inside):
- 70 mm (3 inches) log plank
- 20 mm (0.8 inches) spacers (ventilation gap)
- Diffusion-open wind barrier membrane
- 200 mm (8 inches) stud frame with 200 mm (8 inches) insulation
- Vapor barrier film including sealing
- 60 mm (2.4 inches) service cavity made of KVH (engineered timber) with 60 mm (2.4 inches) insulation
- 12 mm (0.5 inches) OSB board
- 12 mm (0.5 inches) gypsum board
Company 2 (from outside to inside):
- 28.5 mm (1.1 inches) wooden battens
- 30 mm (1.2 inches) spacers (ventilation gap)
- 16 mm (0.6 inches) wood fiber insulation board
- 200 mm (8 inches) stud frame with 200 mm (8 inches) insulation
- 15 mm (0.6 inches) OSB board
- 60 mm (2.4 inches) service cavity made of KVH (engineered timber) with 60 mm (2.4 inches) insulation
- 15 mm (0.6 inches) OSB board
- 12.5 mm (0.5 inches) gypsum board
Both constructions basically differ in that Company 1 uses membranes (diffusion-open wind and vapor barrier films), while Company 2 uses a 16 mm (0.6 inches) wood fiber insulation board and a 15 mm (0.6 inches) OSB board at the same layers. According to the company, this assembly is also diffusion-open. As a layperson, I find it difficult to compare these constructions.
Is either of these methods inadvisable? Are there significant advantages or disadvantages?
In accordance with forum rules, I am not naming the builders or brand names of the components. If needed, I can upload photos of the assemblies.
Thank you very much.
Company 2 uses a higher-quality wall assembly, which is now also the standard in timber frame construction (and ideally should be). The use of vapor retarder, vapor barrier, and wind barrier membranes should be avoided whenever possible. These membranes age, become brittle, etc., despite their theoretically guaranteed service life of up to 50 years. Additionally, damage during installation inevitably occurs but often goes unnoticed. This leads to leaks being unavoidable.
The assembly with wood fiber insulation board and OSB is much more robust. The OSB panels must be airtight sealed at the joints using an approved tape. The transitions to other building components must also be carefully detailed in the same way.
The assembly with wood fiber insulation board and OSB is much more robust. The OSB panels must be airtight sealed at the joints using an approved tape. The transitions to other building components must also be carefully detailed in the same way.
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