Quebec 3 season cabin insulation advice
Hello!
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We bought a 3 season cabin in Quebec. The cabin was in pretty rough shape, which we knew, so we're in the process of gutting it.
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About the cabin:
Its approx. 800 sq ft built on concrete blocks. There is a musty smell inside, so we're sure there's mold, though there are no obvious signs. The previous owners had added 2 layers of carpet, so we thought removing that and the old furniture would get rid of the smell. Its better, but still not great. There were lots of mouse nests in the walls, and we have one wall to still gut, so hoping that's where the rest of the smell is. We had a new roof put on recently. For the walls, the exterior is wood siding nailed directly to the studs. The interior had fibreglass insulation, then a vapor barrier (plastic stapled to the studs) then paneling. We still have a bit of demolition to do, but when we're finished, it will be just the framing and the exterior siding. The ceiling is vaulted with exposed rafters. No attic. Once fully gutted, we'll be disinfecting all of the surfaces. There is a newer small addition built on posts that is plastic exterior siding and drywall in the interior.
Winters are very cold here (regularly -20c/ -4f, often colder), and the cabin will not be used or heated in the winter.
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My questions:
We are campers and used to roughing it. We do not want or need anything upscale or fancy. We only want to make sure the cabin is usable during the warmer months and not hazardous to our health. We have 3 young kids.
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Here are my questions:
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1.should we insulate the cabin? I want to do everything I can to avoid mold growth. Is it necessary?
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- If I insulate the cabin, should I add an interior vapor barrier?
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- Are there other passive ventilation options that could help avoid mold growth?
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- Should I gut the newer addition? It seems water/ critter tight, but it's been sitting attached to a moldy old cabin for a decade.
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Thanks in advance for your advice!
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