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Insulating a historic brick home

user-7140085 | Posted in General Questions on

I currently working on a renovation of a 1900 all brick home located in a historic district in climate zone 5a.

The 100 year old brick is in great shape due to the current wall assemble of 
brick, tar paper drainage plane, 3/4 deck board sheathing, and then the 2 x 4 wall cavity 

The interior plaster has been removed and the client wants to insulate as well as possible without using spray foam or risking any potential compromise to the exterior brick.

What are the best ways to insulate the wall cavity? Since the home has always had a air space (2 x 4 wall cavity) to help dry out any moisture that may have gotten behind the brick, should I be concerned about filling the cavity completely with insulation?

budget not being a factor

Thanks for any insite

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Replies

  1. GBA Editor
    Martin Holladay | | #1

    User-7140085,
    First of all, can you tell us your name? (I'm Martin.)

    I suggest that you read the following article: "Insulating Old Brick Buildings."

  2. user-7140085 | | #2

    Sorry, My name is Cory. I will take a look at the article

    Thanks

  3. Expert Member
    Dana Dorsett | | #3

    Are the studs in contact with the brick veneer, or are they connected with metal brick ties with a space between the brick & wood?

  4. Trevor_Lambert | | #4

    The article Martin linked to is for load bearing brick walls, but from your description I'm not sure that's what you have. If you have a 2x4 wall cavity on the inside, it's possible you have a wood framed house with a brick veneer.

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