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Post by wisconsinjoe on Jul 25, 2021 9:35:31 GMT -8
I notice that many folks are wrapping the trailers with Tyvek or some other plastic barrier. What is the purpose? I have a hard time believing that it is important to use it to stop air infiltration. Wouldn’t that be futile with typical jalousie windows? In regular house construction it has some importance in helping keep moisture from penetrating from the outside as well as letting moisture from the inside get out of the wall. Nevertheless, it seems a bit pointless to me. In a house it might make more sense if using fiberglass insulation, which really doesn’t like getting wet. But to be really effective, it should have a “rain screen” under the finished siding to allow water to drain to the outside. Trailers don’t have that. Opinions?
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nccamper
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Post by nccamper on Jul 25, 2021 11:21:08 GMT -8
It keeps water droplets (condensation) that form on the inside of the skin from reaching the wood/insulation. It hypothetically diverts any leak down the Tyvek to the bottom of the skin and out. This obviously won't work with a huge leak or one that is left unattended for years. Tyvek also "breaths" to some extent so it won't encourage mold. That's why they use it instead of plastic on houses.
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Post by wisconsinjoe on Jul 31, 2021 8:08:58 GMT -8
Yes, I get that. But on these trailers, the skin is virtually impermeable. There is no way to get the moisture out. To be effective on houses, they eventually acknowledged that there needs to be a "rain screen", a way for the water to seep out. Still not convinced it is worth it.
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nccamper
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Post by nccamper on Jul 31, 2021 16:03:32 GMT -8
Understood. But if moisture gets in, it has a way to get out. Hypothetically if a lot of water came in from a big leak it would run down the tyvek and out the bottom. Hypothetically.
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