I BUILT A SUMMER COTTAGE THIS YEAR AND FOLLOWED SOME OF YOUR ON AIR INFO. I DID NOT INSULATE THE FLOOR AND PLAN ON SKIRTING IT AND INSULATING THE SKIRTING.THE COTTAGE IS APPROX. 6 FT. OFF THE GROUND IN THE FRONT AND 2FT. IN THE BACK.IN THE LAST FEW WEEKS AS THE TEMP. HAS DROPPED BELOW FREEZING AT NIGHT AND I HAVE HEATED THE COTTAGE WITH A PROPANE FIREPLACE THE FLOORS HAVE BEEN SATURATED IN THE MORNING. I DON|T HAVE THE SKIRTING UP YET AND WHAT I WANT TO KNOW IS WHAT SHOULD I USE FOR FRAMING THE WALL, WHAT SHOULD I PUT ON THE OUTSIDE AND WHAT SHOULD I USE FOR INSULATION AND A VAPOUR BARRIER.ALSO THE FLOOR IS 3/4" T AND G.SHOULD I ADD ANY THING UNDER THE EXISTING FLOOR. THANK YOU.
Answer:
Framing is something that has to be flimsy and flexible. You might look at something like 2X4 walls going to within a foot of the ground and then, again 2X4 walls going from the ground upward with studs being permitted to slide up and down (frost) outside the studs of the walls coming down. You can cover the exterior down as far as the lower section with any form of siding you want and the walls of the lower section with PT plywood that moves up and down on the exterior. If you want to keep vermin out of there, galvanized expanded sheet metal can go from the upper wall into the ground before the siding is applied. Your only problem now is the door but that too, can be fitted the same way as long as you do not insist on the sill going all the way down. Don't forget ventilation. Do nothing to the cottage floor.
