Cottage renovation help!?!?

2/27/2023 at 10:21:26 PM

So as long as the work is not structural you are fine.

There are parts of the building code to protect you from having to make upgrades for code regulations when the upgrade isn't for structure. Of course best practice to get as much insulation as possible and equally important is proper vapour barrier and blocking out any penetration in the exterior for air flow.

2/27/2023 at 10:33:51 PM

Yeah there will be no structural work it will just be strapping the exterior walls to get to the adequate r value, and then just installing drywall there will be a partition wall framed to accomplish a new shower and vanity but again not structural

I would assume it would be fine to do it this way as yeah I'm not doing anything structural as to me with older homes framed in 2x4 exterior walls I can't see how they would make you update to current code 2x6 as then you would essentially be building a new home in any area you touched

2/27/2023 at 10:43:00 PM

You can just fur walls out and insulate, any electrical etc. will have to be moved forward. Another option people do is reside exterior with furred out Styrofoam insulation

2/27/2023 at 10:46:31 PM

Yes that's what I figured! I just wanted to make sure that if we get a permit that when they come inspect the insulation there not gunna say oh now these walls aren't to current code they all need to be ripped out and framed with 2x6

2/27/2023 at 10:52:32 PM

Your building inspector will not make you switch to 2x6s. The 2x2s on a exterior wall might be something you would want to upgrade.

2/27/2023 at 11:06:15 PM

Yes but if the customer doesn't want to can they make you?

2/28/2023 at 4:09:41 AM

You must meet code for R value and for the vapor barrier, electricals installs must meet code, drywall must meet code etc,etc.. you do not need to increase interior wall cavities in existing buildings. You can leave the 2x4 or fur it out to be deeper stud pockets. Exterior styrofoam insulation is another way to do it too. No inspector is going to make you rebuild an existing building because it only has 2x4 walls. New construction however! you must meet current codes for your area. Many out-buildings, you can still do in 2x4, code stopped allowing that for residential houses however long ago.

2/28/2023 at 2:47:08 PM

The addition that was framed with 2 x 2 will probably have to be torn down as that was never allowed by Code and probably done without permits/inspections. It would be considered 'existing non-compliant' so as soon as it is touched it will need to be brought up to current code at least for structure, electrical, etc. possibly not for insulation.

2/28/2023 at 2:52:54 PM

Yea all we would be doing is strapping that wall with additional lumber to get the adequate insulation value there is not structural changes being done