Jude, it sounds like you need to have a balanced ventilation. Which means eave vents and a ridge vent.
Dick Bus
2015-06-16 10:28:58.000000
2 years ago, I bought a 1-room 20x24' cabin, hand-built (read "unpermitted") in 1969, on pier and post, of single-wall tongue & groove redwood, with a corrugated iron roof, all of which is quite common in this area.. The roof is on 1x4s which are on 4x6 beams. There is nothing else - no insulation, ceiling, etc. It used to leak, but I applied 2 coats of Gardner Sta-Kool Cool Roof Elastomeric Coating, which stopped the leaks. Now I have noticed a serious increase in condensation (or it could be just the unusually wet weather we're having). If I could afford it, I'd just put on a new roof, but that is several years down the road in my budget.
What would be the most cost-effective way to reduce the condensation? I live 4000' up the side of a volcano, so there can be a serious temperature gradient between night and day, from high 30's to low 80's. FYI: the 4x6s are 4 feet apart, the 1x4s 18-24" apart. (Told you it was hand-built... His hand-built windows are quite charming, however!)
Guest User
2015-06-16 00:49:12.000000
Thanks Jude. I second what Dick said. However, if ventilation is not possible, you might consider spraying the inside of the roof with closed cell urethane foam which will act as a vapor barrier and an insulator.
Todd Miller
2015-06-16 10:57:30.000000
Thanks for your comments. The roof is 1 slope, no ridge. There are eave vents, and my windows are usually open (from Alaska; I like the cold). Plus this cabin is in no way air tight. So ventilation isn't the problem. A dehumidifier would run all day and not make a difference. Any suggestions on a source for the foam? A lot of places won't ship to Hawaii, can't go by truck.. So far, I can't find any that will.
Jude Patrick
2015-06-16 19:21:43.000000
+1
Gotta get that warm moist air out before the overnight lows set in.
Eric Novotny
2015-06-16 15:07:59.000000
What is the humidity level like at night?
You can spray foam it if you want but it will need to be covered with an intumescent barrier.