Sheathless Double Stud Wall – GreenBuildingAdvisor

Hi all,

I’m planning out a new build in the south west corner of Western Australia – climate zone similar to 4C (think Seattle but with warmer winters and summers and no snow). Looking at building a double stud wall with fibreglass batts – exterior insulation is another option but I don’t want to use foam and alternative insulation options are expensive here.

The wall I am thinking of building goes: cladding -> rain screen -> WRB -> framing -> air barrier (Intello) -> battens -> plasterboard.

In Australia it is not common practice to sheath a house with plywood/osb (we use noggins and metal straps for bracing). One of the main aims of building science methods seems to be to keep sheathing from getting wet, but was happens where there is no sheathing to get wet?

Thanks,

Declan