How to plan for future envelope intrusions?
Matt Rigney| Posted inGeneral Questionson
Quick question as I try to think through all the little details on the build I’m about to start. There are potential future intrusions into the house (thinking mainly cable/internet lines, although I suppose there’s other wiring that might need to come into the house). What’s the best way to plan ahead to prevent this from causing air sealing problems? The only real solution I’ve seen is to put a PVC pipe through the wall assembly in a “convenient location, air seal around it, stuff it full of insulation, then cap both ends. This gives future installers a route that they can go through. Is this something worth doing? Are there other approaches?
Thanks,
Matt
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Replies
Take a look at Quick-Flash flashings. They have a grommet that seals around the pipe. These are a great solution for leaving holes through the envelope, either for later trades during construction, or even for much later as you describe. They make flashing around penetrations super easy and they are durable for the life of the house. Definitely worth doing.
Matt,
You are way ahead if the game in simply thinking about it. Hardly anyone does. Do try and anticipate the whole route future wiring might take once it is inside the house.