Homebuilding in Wasilla Alaska
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There is a lot of insulation in this house. Double walls equal R-36, ceilings equal R-50, styrofoam block foundation, R-20 average with R-11 furr out = R-31, All rim joist R-36. We used sound board and insulation in most of the interior walls as well as insulated almost all of the floors.

This was yet another huge project. I would never trade off insulation, thinking it is a waste of money to 'over insulate' as we were told we were doing. Right!

I turned the heat off at the boiler to work on something when it was 30 degrees below zero and forgot to turn it back on. We realized it was off when we felt a bit chilly and tried to turn it up. The house 3 degrees in 4 hours. When I turned it back on only two of the 6 heat zones turned on and called for heat. Over insulate... sure glad I don't pay that guys heat bills!


The 80 bags of insulation to blow in the ceiling. We insulated to R-50 average.
Don after blowing the ceiling in the study. Classic eh?
This shows the first layer of insulation. R-21 installed in the 2x6 exterior stud spaces at 16 inch centers. Then over this goes the 6 mil visqueen vapor barrier, sealed at every lap and end with acoustic sealant called 'black death'.
This photo shows the 2x4 wall that is separated from the 2x6 wall with a 1/2 inch thermal break. Also this wall is laid on 24 inch centers, there is really no need to focus on staggering the interior studs because the walls do not touch. The snap-line layout is 0 - 5 1/2 - 9 1/2. This allows for the 2x6 exterior wall and the 2x4 interior wall with a 1/2 inch gap. We used 1/2 inch insul board in between the two top plates and the two bottom plates. Some have suggested to lay the interior studs horizontally, this will lead to a lot of extra work, and I do not recommend this.
Another view of the double walls. I will never build another house without double exterior walls. The house is so quiet and warm, the cost is just not that much, in the bigger picture.
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