Tyvek question

[hovermn]

I'm about ready to start building the next fish house, but haven't decided on what kind of siding I'm going to go with. That, and I need some more cash flow before I can buy the siding. A friend of mine is giving me 2X4's for the frame (will be cut in half, of course) and I'd like to get going on the frame before it gets too cold.

I'm going to wrap the whole house in Tyvek before siding, so my question is: Will the tyvek, given tight seams, keep the water out while I decide and wait for the siding, or will rain work its way through the membrain and mess with my 2x2's? It's a moisture barrier, but is it waterproof?

I have plenty of time to build now, but it'll probably be several weeks before I can pick up the siding, maybe even next month Will I be okay?

[JustinG]

Yeah, you will be fine. My dad had Tyvek on the outside of his house for over a year without siding on it and it was just fine. Nothing got wet behind there.

Is it a wheel house? If it's not and your house is just a regular fish house that you are going to leave out on the ice and not move it why not use Luan (1/4" plywood that is sanded on 1 side) and just paint it. That is what I did...and it has lasted me 10 years so far. It is nice and light too.

Justin

[hovermn]

Justin,

Thanks for sharing your experience with it. I get a little worried knowing that the frame will be made from cut 2x4's and they LOVE to go anywhere but straight after that

It's a wheeled fish house. I built the drop down frame, 6.5X17. She'll be a beaut when completed, I hope anyway.

Picked up the Tyvek on craigs list for next to nothing, had the trailer sandblasted and painted by ShawnnyB's brother for nothin', and the 2X4's are free! Also bought a futon from Target for $15 for the fish house today :-) Yup, I'm on a roll

[JustinG]

Well, good luck! Sounds to me like you will have a nice fish house when you are done!

Take Care,

Justin

[duck2]

Hoverman,

I like your economical approach to your project. I have a stash of 8' redwood boards that came of my old deck which will be ripped to make the studs for my ice house. The runners will be made from the green treated 2' x 8's that also came from my old deck.

The 1/4" painted Luaun sounds like a great,lightweight siding option. JustinG's testimonial to its 10 year longevity is good feedback.

JustinG, Did you alsoo use the Luaun for the roof as well?

[JustinG]

There is Luaun up there, but it is covered with tin. I built some water cooler stands for work one time and used Luaun for the roof and just painted it. Well, that didn't work too good- It didn't last long.

One thing about using Luan for the exterior walls: If you keep the paint in very good shape it will last a very long time. You may have to put a fresh coat on every 2-3 years, but it won't take you long to apply a fresh coat! If you let the paint peel, blister, or fall off, it won't take long for the luaun to start falling apart.

Later,

Justin

[bwtrout]

As a side note; A friend went to lumber yard and ask for the wrap they get the bulk lumber sent in. It's free and basically a economy version of tyvek.

[fishingguy]

Years back it stated on the rolls that it needed to be cover in 90 days. Due to the uv rays starting to break it down and make it brittle. Not sure if it still that way. My guess is that an improvemonet has been done to eliminate that problem. Something to check into thou.

[ArcticArmor1]

Hovenmn,

I am not sure whether you have heard of the Arctic Armor ice Fishing suit? The reason why our suit is so warm and dry is our "exclusive" use of INSULTEX thermal insulation.

Not only does INSULTEX work well in our suits, but I think it may what you are looking for in your ice house.

Our CEO recently put an addition onto his home, and used INSULTEX in place of TYVEK. There is interest from a few different companies in using INSULTEX as a house wrap. INSULTEX has a 3R Factor when it comes to insulation. It is windproof & waterproof and extremely lightweight. I know it would be ideal for what you need...

[hovermn]

Arctic,

Sounds like an interesting idea. However, I need to build this house on the cheap, and I already have the Tyvek. I built the frame, getting a lot of the materials for nothing, and I'm robbing the old shack for the windows, radio, furnace and everything else I can get out of it.

Out of curiousity, what kind of price are you looking at for that stuff?

Also, I read on the Tyvek homepage FAQ section that Tyvek can be left uncovered for up to 120 days. I think that should work

[JustinG]

Hey ArcticArmor1,

Please, Please...Shoot me an email- VERY IMPORTANT!

[email protected]

Thank You!!!!

Justin

[ice-man/vexilar-king]

hovermn

Not cheap, but if you find a bad spot they do make tape for the seams that you can pick up at any lumber yard. There is allot more on a roll than you think, the tape is thin but works great! Just wanted to let you know in case you get a tear.