Hey everyone! I'm working on renovating my off-grid cabin from the 1950s to make it livable in about 9-10 years. The interior walls have wood fibre sheets with wood shavings and are covered in an old acrylate (or 'plastic') paint. I'm considering adding insulation and new paneling but I'm unsure if I should remove the old paint first to avoid any vapor barrier issues that might trap moisture. The old paneling is still in decent shape, so what do you think? Should I strip the paint or can I leave it as is?
1 Answer
If the old paint is a solid layer, it could act as a vapor barrier, so it's worth thinking about. If time isn't an issue, I’d recommend removing it—at least mostly. This way, you can check the condition of the wood underneath, just in case there are any hidden issues like rot from the previous owner's work.