(
Queen Anne Victorian Cottage
Products
WrapShield SA Self-Adhered
SlopeShield Plus Self-Adhered
VaproShield Representative
Dan ClancyContractor
Sweenor Builders Inc.
Wakefield, RI
www.sweenorbuilders.com
PROJECT DESCRIPTION
Over 5,000 square feet of VaproShield materials were installed on a modest three-bedroom, one-bath Queen Anne Victorian in the heart of the desirable Pier neighborhood, just steps from the beach in Narragansett, RI. At purchase, the 1887 home was in severely poor condition with rot, deterioration, and structural damage. The new homeowners opted to restore it and work with Sweenor Builders plus follow the Historic Commission guidelines, all while documenting the renovation as seen on THIS OLD HOUSE®.
Having worked along the coast of Rhode Island for over 30 years, the General Contractor Jeff Sweenor went into the project knowing the importance of high performance water management materials. For the renovation, he paid particular attention to water management techniques; whether it was flashing the windows, flashing a roof, or flashing any other penetration—he factored in the home’s climate.
|
Costal Climate Challenges The intense pressure differentials on the coast create an environment where the pressure on the outside is greater than the pressure on the inside—and that internal pressure pulls the wind driven rain and moist air inside the building. Sweenor Builders sought to manage that environment by installing VaproShield’s high performance air and water resistive membranes: WrapShield SA Self-Adhered for the walls and SlopeShield Plus SA for the roofing underlayment. Both products offer an exceptionally high drying capacity (permeability), thereby reducing risk of damage from moisture infiltration, mold, mildew, and rot and enhancing the longevity of the residence. |
The Roof Underlayment Solution
On the roof, SlopeShield Plus SA Self Adhered was applied. Its high drying capacity and black coloration (which absorbs heat from the sun when exposed during construction) accelerated the drying process of the underlying plywood. This combination helped to minimize construction moisture which would otherwise be trapped by a non-permeable roofing underlayment.
Furthermore, VaproMat was included in the roof assembly as added protection under the home’s cedar shingles. The lightweight, hydrophobic polyester filter fabric incl
