our cottage outside siding is vertical hemlock planks, 2 inches thick and 6 inches wide. No one board is longer than 8 feet. There are gaps and spaces between the boards, up to 1/4 to 3/8 inches. I would like to reside this spring with white cedar, board and batton style. I was told by the locals that I should use a layer of "black joe" to help with rodent control and provide some minimal insulation value. Should I? and if yes, how should it be applied over the hemlock? Would it act as a vapour barrier?
Answer:
Let's start at the beginning. I'm not in favour of putting siding over siding and I don't know that anything like black joe is going to do much to discourage the varments. From an insulation point of view, if you're counting on black joe for insulation, you've led a very sheltered life.
