Hi - I have a small (12x20) old(1835) two story sheep barn that I would like to try to insulate with the least amount of changes to its outward, or inward appearance and character. It is very original except for a marble tile floor?, some electricity, and a modern style entry door cut into one side. The outside siding of 6" t&g pine needs to be replaced in a few spots, and has about least 5 layers of paint on it. I have been researching ways to "insulate on the outside" so as to not disturb the interior, while improving and replacing the exterior siding with a layer of insulation beneath it. I want this structure to look historically correct, but with modern insulation.

Here's a recomendation I've gotten: (Sorry its so long, I'm just trying to be as detailed as possible)

-Wrap entirety of original outside walls horizontally with 1"foamular rigid panels (Vapor and moisture barrier) Screw 2x3' furring strips on end vertically through foam and original siding and into any available studs in interior walls using 5" decking screws. Place another layer of 2" foamular in the vertical channels created by the 2x3's, leaving tops open to vent into the soffit which will lead to a ridge vent, and bottoms open, (with termite barrier) to drain any moisture that does get by. Then apply cedar clapboards to the 2x3's leaving a 1/2 inch airspace between siding and insulation. This creates a simple rain screen concept, keeps my new siding ventilated, and adds a value of r-15 to the exterior walls, while all the while keeping the outside appearance very original looking, while not disturbing the inside.

Here's a link to some pics:

http://pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/djohnson1@snet.net/album?.dir=/d773&.src=ph

Any opinions or comments welcomed,

Thanks,

Don

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