Recreational cabin upgrade to year around (Sterling: loft, living, store)

[dghahn]

I have a cabin with a loft in Sterling and when I bought it it had clear plastic stapled over the studs and insulation to keep the dust down. If I'm going to live there year round, should I take the plastic off before I sheet rock the interior?

[starlite9]

Originally Posted by dghahn

I have a cabin with a loft in Sterling and when I bought it it had clear plastic stapled over the studs and insulation to keep the dust down. If I'm going to live there year round, should I take the plastic off before I sheet rock the interior?

No, that is your "Vapor" barrier, it keeps the air from passing though the cabin and causing frost inside the walls. I assume it is over the insulation.

Just put the sheet rock directly over the plastic.

[Grannysroost]

Originally Posted by starlite9

No, that is your "Vapor" barrier, it keeps the air from passing though the cabin and causing frost inside the walls. I assume it is over the insulation.

Just put the sheet rock directly over the plastic.

Yuppers!!!!! want to leave it there....

[dghahn]

I've heard the vapor barrier argument for leaving it up too but if the outside is wrapped in Tyvek or some sort of barrier under the siding, won't that keep moisture out and when the cold hits the plastic which is warm on the interior side and cold on the insulation side, won't that form condensation on the plastic and trap the condensation?

[starlite9]

Originally Posted by dghahn

I've heard the vapor barrier argument for leaving it up too but if the outside is wrapped in Tyvek or some sort of barrier under the siding, won't that keep moisture out and when the cold hits the plastic which is warm on the interior side and cold on the insulation side, won't that form condensation on the plastic and trap the condensation?

Tyvek stops the wind, but it "breathes" and allows the air though "Slowly" and allows the cold air to come into the house/cabin. You want the plastic there too.

The plastic will keep the air "dead" which is where you get your Insulation, if air moves though the insulation, it takes the heat with it too...

[Grannysroost]

Think you will want to vent your eaves or on each end to allow air to pass through the "attic" space. We had no insulation in ours when bought last winter and so cold - the vents on the outside were there, but no insulation in the upper end....needless to say we had insulation blown in and is done now and should be way better, but with the vents on the outside - I think equalizes the insulation on the outside -Tyvek and the inside with the plastic barrier - which with humidity and temp differences will keep your sheetrock from getting wet and moldy also

[DannyL]

Here's a good resource for these types of questions.....

Alaska Cabins and Remote Living - Alaska Outdoors Forums

[Marty Van Diest]

Leave the plastic there. In fact, you might want to go around with some tape and "black death" to seal any holes and tears before you put the sheetrock on.

Just go to the building supply store and ask for a tube of "black death", they will know what you are talking about. It's the stickiest, gooiest stuff there is, but it will seal the holes.

[dghahn]

Thanks to all for you reponses. I really appreciate your interest. Keep up the good work!

[Stropes]

Definitely keep the plastic up. You don't want to be replacing the sheet rock down the road.