proposed explanations on bricks in balloon framing wall cavities

I have searched online for a while and, up to now, came up short, until now.

3 Reasons Old Houses May Have Stones Between The Studs 

I was searching for a reason 1403 was built with bricks inside the wall cavities.  Built in 1906, the original (first phase, so to speak) of the house was balloon framed, meaning the wall studs go from bottom to top, unlike modern style platform framing.

About 80 or so years ago, people started abandoning balloon framing.  Why?

  1. The price and availability of long timber, some as long as 35 feet.
  2. The lack of fire block in this type of building, with fire being able to lick up the entire wall without breaks.
  3. The skill required for balloon framing, compared to the simplicity of platform framing.

But, up to now, I couldn’t figure out why there are bricks in the wall cavities.  Are they structural?  Were they pretty good insulation back in 1906?  Facade?  Was it the original exterior?  Why bricks?  I don’t have a final, definitive answer, but this is really close.

half-inch ply

I’ve changed my mind.  I decided to go with 1/2″ plywood rather than 5/8″ for several reasons.

1. The house has to be jacked up on one side.  It’s drooping.  If I use 5/8″ ply, it won’t bend over top the ‘hump’ in the floor.

2. The house has to be jacked up on one side.  When it is, I need a little more flexibility in the structure of the flooring.

3. 5/8″ is too dang heavy.  I have to cart it all up to the 2nd floor!

 

Logic Lumber was good about exchanging it.  And there it sits, wait to be used.

Also, the furring continues.

proboard, plywood, flooring

First comes the proboard (a type of medium density particle board) and 5/8″ plywood from Logic Lumber.

 

Next, the flooring from End Of the Roll.

That’s the easy part.  Now I have to try to jamb it all up in the top floor of the house.  Yay.

finally – bare walls

So I finally have the plaster, lath boards, panelling, etc. off the walls in the kitchen.  <phew>

Next:  Kitchen wiring, insulation, vapour barrier, drywall.

After that:  Flooring.  Then kitchen cabinets.

In the mean time, …

… a lot of cleanup.  So far, 29 contractor bags of plaster, lath, insulation, etc.

first insulation furring boards

I’ve cleaned up as much as I have to to start insulating the walls and ceilings.  I’m adding 2×2 and 2×3 furring strips to the studs to increase the wall volume for insulation.  In one wall with plumbing along it, however, I have to furrow out 2.5″ (2×3) to accommodate a 2″ pipe.

The first furring strip was put up, and the second followed.

Rockwool, 2x2s, more lath & plaster removal

I dropped by Rona to get some insulation and wood.  I decided on Rockwool because it

  • has a higher fire rating than fibreglass
  • is made mostly from recycled stuff (volcanic rock basalt and slag)
  • has better R-value than fibreglass

But it is more expensive.  How much more?  I haven’t done much in comparison, to be honest, as I need the extra fire protection.  This house is, after all, balloon framing.

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new windows again

New windows arrived again today!  This time, for the rear of 520.  Four triple-pane Jeld-Win windows.

 

Unfortunately, it’s also the first day of real snow.  Installation will have to wait.