Greening a 150-year-old Cabin
(Page 2 of 3)
January/February 2005
By David Johnston
The walls offer the biggest challenge. The existing wood siding has to stay intact given historical code restraints, and the interior surface of the studs (vertical structural columns) is irregular. Additionally, there is no triangular bracing on the walls to provide structural support. Instead, the sheathing is made of horizontal boards that provide no “rack resistance,” or support against wind loads deforming the building.
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I recommended that Tracy and Tim identify several stud cavities in which to place oriented strand board (OSB), a type of engineered wood made from smaller pieces of wood that eliminates the need for plywood made from old-growth trees. Next, it’s important that they create a structurally strong triangulation formation with the OSB and existing studs. This structure should be reinforced by gluing and nailing the OSB to the exterior sheathing in the stud cavities, and they should use a low-VOC construction adhesive such as PL Premium to avoid toxins common in conventional adhesives while mitigating wind resistance and air infiltration.
I also recommended that the couple caulk around all edges of the OSB to tighten up the envelope and make the cabin more energy efficient. In addition, I suggested they spray other penetrations through the envelope with a polyurethane expansive foam for further air sealing and then install conventional formaldehyde-free, recycled-content fiberglass from Johns Manville in the stud cavities. Finally, they need to “fur out” the insides of the studs using one-by-twos and shims to provide a flat surface to hang the drywall on.
At the time of my visit, the historical society was insisting that Tracy and Tim leave the cabin’s existing windows in place. These are old, single-glazed, double-hung windows that are rotting away and should be replaced with new low-E windows that match the old window design but reflect heat back into the house during winter. Hopefully the old windows will rot entirely so that the historical society can’t argue about replacing them.
Historic home, modern kitchen
Next, we took a look at the cabin’s interior. To start, reclaimed cabinets from the local used building material yard are a great option, and Tracy and Tim’s kitchen space is flexible enough to incorporate almost any recycled cabinets they choose. People often discard beautiful, functional cabinets during a kitchen remodel, and these are available for a fraction of the cost of new ones. As an added benefit, used cabinets have already outgased most of the formaldehyde typically found in particleboard cabinetry, whereas new cabinets can outgas the toxin for years.
While Tracy and Tim have yet to decide on countertops, a wide range of options is available depending on their budget. The couple would like to use ceramic tile, but it’s more expensive than other options, and tile grout needs to be sealed every year to prevent mold and bacterial growth on its porous surface. A less expensive option is Formica, which—if installed with a low-toxic adhesive—is an acceptable green choice. It lasts almost indefinitely and resists microbial growth.