Strapping day 4

We are doing more strapping today. First we had to remove the strapping on the south wall at the entrance area. We had to add another 1/2″ to it since it has to be strapped out 2″ rather than 1.5″. So we removed the existing ones and added a layer of 1/2″ plywood behind the wood and screw the strapping back on.

Then we continued upwards and added more strapping all the way up to the top of the 2nd floor.

Here  on the 2nd floor, we also strapped 2″ on the south wall of this recreation area.

In the bedroom, we installed the vapour barrier on the north wall. We are not using typical 6 mil polyethylene. Because if anything a plastic layer behind the drywall really is not the right way to deal with water vapour in an air tight house. We are using  CertainTeed MemBrain which adapt its permeability depending on the climatic conditions. What this does is that in the summer it allows water vapour to move inwards so that any moisture trapped inside the wall can dry inwards. While in winter, it behaves like a normal polyethylene plastic sheet not allowing the water vapour inside the house to go into the wall assembly.

Once we got the MemBrain stapled to the wall, we used acoustic sealer to seal around the edges and then we installed the strapping on the outside. This way any wall penetration needed when I install the closet won’t be penetrating the vapour barrier at all.