Is it advisable to have a furred air space between cedar siding and zip system sheating?
user-6750330
| Posted in Energy Efficiency and Durability on
We are designing a house in Westchester County, New York.
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Replies
Do you mean individual cedar shakes or shingles or cedar panels?
User-6750330,
First of all, can you tell us your name?
Like Steve, I'm curious to know what kind of siding you are talking about. In addition to his list of options, you might also be talking about cedar clapboard (lap siding).
Curiosity aside, my answer would probably be the same for all types of cedar siding: in general, a ventilated rainscreen gap is a good idea, unless the wall faces a porch. For more information, see this article: All About Rainscreens.
Sorry about leaving off my name, I'm new to this site and I assumed the name would simply post. I'm Richard Stein.
I'm planning to use shiplapped white cedar siding and I happened upon the "All About Rainscreens" article after posting my question. The question came up when my contractor suggested I forgo the rainscreen as a money-saving ploy. I was interested to read that no more than a minimal gap is necessary. We had originally planned to use 5/4 furring. I'd like to have a narrower gap.
Richard,
Many people use furring strips made by ripping down 1/4-inch or 3/8-inch plywood.