Let in braces are a lousy bracing system. Not only is it weak compared to plywood the notches weaken the studs. I have seen pictures of failures in the studs due to the notching.
Do not blame the rotting on the use of plywood. A lot of the problem was the result of our efforts to make buildings tighter in response to the need to conserve energy. The problem is that when we made buildings tighter we did not have a good scientific idea of how moisture flows through buildings.
It wasn’t until Lstiburek and his fellow researchers started applying science to the problem that we learned how to do it right. And what is right in California on the coast is not the right way in Montana on the Canadian border.
Knowing how to do it right is only the first step. The designers need to define what was needed and the trades need to learn how to do it per the plans. We need to break old habits. Doing it like you did it 40 years ago no longer cuts it.
Old timers can contribute a lot, but in order to do it effectively we need to embrace and understand the new technology. If we do not keep up with the new knowledge we will rightfully be seen as irrelevant and will be ignored. Get on the train or retire.
Sustainability is here to stay. Rather than fight it we need to demand that the requirements be backed up with some objective thinking. The objective should not be to go back to the old ways but rather to make sure that the new requirements are effective.
Do not blame the rotting on the use of plywood. A lot of the problem was the result of our efforts to make buildings tighter in response to the need to conserve energy. The problem is that when we made buildings tighter we did not have a good scientific idea of how moisture flows through buildings.
It wasn’t until Lstiburek and his fellow researchers started applying science to the problem that we learned how to do it right. And what is right in California on the coast is not the right way in Montana on the Canadian border.
Knowing how to do it right is only the first step. The designers need to define what was needed and the trades need to learn how to do it per the plans. We need to break old habits. Doing it like you did it 40 years ago no longer cuts it.
Old timers can contribute a lot, but in order to do it effectively we need to embrace and understand the new technology. If we do not keep up with the new knowledge we will rightfully be seen as irrelevant and will be ignored. Get on the train or retire.
Sustainability is here to stay. Rather than fight it we need to demand that the requirements be backed up with some objective thinking. The objective should not be to go back to the old ways but rather to make sure that the new requirements are effective.