Massive home addition causes confusion in Fairfax County neighborhood

[Anonymous]

Does anyone know if insulation is required on the exterior walls of new construction in Fairfax county?

This would be a layer between the exterior plywood and vinyl siding? I know there can be interior insulation between the studs.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This is a quote from the denial letter of what the homeowner thought:

Although the addition is unfinished, you explain in your request that the finished wall will be done in "standard vinyl siding — approximately one inch in thickness," resulting in a final right side yard setback that “will be around 7.3 feet."

Vinyl siding isn't that thick, typically a projection of 3/4”. I suppose the corner trim could project 1". Again, someone should have submitted a drawing.

There’s insulation under the siding, which adds some more thickness. I suppose one could cheap out on the insulation to save bulk, but then you’d be paying extra on heat and air conditioning every month.

Insulation? What's that?

Haha, right- they’re doing this as cheaply as possible. Who needs insulation?

How many homes in that neighborhood have foam boards under their siding? Almost none I bet.

I don’t live in that neighborhood, but in a very similar one in Fairfax County. A lot of my neighbors have replaced their siding and I’ve definitely seen foam board insulation covered by tyvek going up under the new siding. My house and at least a half dozen or more neighbors’ houses all have foam board under the siding. I think it’s pretty commonly done in Fairfax County.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This is a quote from the denial letter of what the homeowner thought:

Although the addition is unfinished, you explain in your request that the finished wall will be done in "standard vinyl siding — approximately one inch in thickness," resulting in a final right side yard setback that “will be around 7.3 feet."

Vinyl siding isn't that thick, typically a projection of 3/4”. I suppose the corner trim could project 1". Again, someone should have submitted a drawing.

There’s insulation under the siding, which adds some more thickness. I suppose one could cheap out on the insulation to save bulk, but then you’d be paying extra on heat and air conditioning every month.

Insulation? What's that?

Haha, right- they’re doing this as cheaply as possible. Who needs insulation?

They do make insulated vinyl siding. It's better than nothing, but that's not "standard." However, what is standard vinyl siding? There's no end of styles and shapes.

Again, tell the BZA exactly what you are installing and include the product documentation. Completely self-inflicted problem leaving "standard vinyl siding" up to the BZA's imagination.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Does anyone know if insulation is required on the exterior walls of new construction in Fairfax county?

This would be a layer between the exterior plywood and vinyl siding? I know there can be interior insulation between the studs.

R15 - https://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/landdevelopment/energy-conservation

You can easily met that with fiberglass batts and exterior sheathing. Of course, that's a minimum, but those foam insulation boards are rather pricey.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This is a quote from the denial letter of what the homeowner thought:

Although the addition is unfinished, you explain in your request that the finished wall will be done in "standard vinyl siding — approximately one inch in thickness," resulting in a final right side yard setback that “will be around 7.3 feet."

Vinyl siding isn't that thick, typically a projection of 3/4”. I suppose the corner trim could project 1". Again, someone should have submitted a drawing.

There’s insulation under the siding, which adds some more thickness. I suppose one could cheap out on the insulation to save bulk, but then you’d be paying extra on heat and air conditioning every month.

Insulation? What's that?

Haha, right- they’re doing this as cheaply as possible. Who needs insulation?

They do make insulated vinyl siding. It's better than nothing, but that's not "standard." However, what is standard vinyl siding? There's no end of styles and shapes.

Again, tell the BZA exactly what you are installing and include the product documentation. Completely self-inflicted problem leaving "standard vinyl siding" up to the BZA's imagination.

Didn’t help himself with his contractors letter either to describe his hardship (also one of the criteria to assess a variance). The contractor said:

“ As the Engineer/contractor overseeing the project, I confirm that relocating the right side wall of the addition would be extremely difficult and costly. The existing structure is integrated into the foundation, and removal would risk structural integrity. Rebuilding would increase costs substantially and present safety challenges. Thus, we recommend
proceeding with the structure as is.

If the structure were required to move in by 6 inches to 1 foot, it would necessitate dismantling key load-bearing elements, impacting the foundation. This would require re-pouring concrete footer, re-framing, and altering structural supports. This extensive work
would not only escalate costs by tens of thousands but also introduce safety risks and structure integrity during demolition and reconstruction. For these reasons, we strongly advise against such a move.”

The county’s response to the hardship consideration was:

“While your request lays out some basis of hardship as it relates to increased construction costs and the timeliness of construction activities due to the delays associated with noncompliance, these are solely financial in nature or matters of convenience. The Zoning Administrator cannot find that you have sufficiently proven unreasonable hardship in this instance, as you have not presented any information that shows modification of the addition to conform with the approved setback is not feasible, from either a cost or a practical perspective.”

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This is a quote from the denial letter of what the homeowner thought:

Although the addition is unfinished, you explain in your request that the finished wall will be done in "standard vinyl siding — approximately one inch in thickness," resulting in a final right side yard setback that “will be around 7.3 feet."

Vinyl siding isn't that thick, typically a projection of 3/4”. I suppose the corner trim could project 1". Again, someone should have submitted a drawing.

Vinyl siding has around 3/" to 1" of foam board under it if installed correctly, so it will be much more than an inch.

That's certainly not required and I'd be surprised if they planned to do that in this case.

That foamboard layer is standard for siding installation.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This is a quote from the denial letter of what the homeowner thought:

Although the addition is unfinished, you explain in your request that the finished wall will be done in "standard vinyl siding — approximately one inch in thickness," resulting in a final right side yard setback that “will be around 7.3 feet."

Vinyl siding isn't that thick, typically a projection of 3/4”. I suppose the corner trim could project 1". Again, someone should have submitted a drawing.

There’s insulation under the siding, which adds some more thickness. I suppose one could cheap out on the insulation to save bulk, but then you’d be paying extra on heat and air conditioning every month.

Insulation? What's that?

Haha, right- they’re doing this as cheaply as possible. Who needs insulation?

How many homes in that neighborhood have foam boards under their siding? Almost none I bet.

Every home that has had siding installed in the past decade or two has this foam board, unless they are buting the expensive siding that has the foam inside each slat.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This is a quote from the denial letter of what the homeowner thought:

Although the addition is unfinished, you explain in your request that the finished wall will be done in "standard vinyl siding — approximately one inch in thickness," resulting in a final right side yard setback that “will be around 7.3 feet."

Vinyl siding isn't that thick, typically a projection of 3/4”. I suppose the corner trim could project 1". Again, someone should have submitted a drawing.

There’s insulation under the siding, which adds some more thickness. I suppose one could cheap out on the insulation to save bulk, but then you’d be paying extra on heat and air conditioning every month.

Insulation? What's that?

Haha, right- they’re doing this as cheaply as possible. Who needs insulation?

They do make insulated vinyl siding. It's better than nothing, but that's not "standard." However, what is standard vinyl siding? There's no end of styles and shapes.

Again, tell the BZA exactly what you are installing and include the product documentation. Completely self-inflicted problem leaving "standard vinyl siding" up to the BZA's imagination.

We have the insulated siding.

It is an upgraded siding, and much more expensive than the regular siding where the contractors add the extra layer of foam board insulation.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This is a quote from the denial letter of what the homeowner thought:

Although the addition is unfinished, you explain in your request that the finished wall will be done in "standard vinyl siding — approximately one inch in thickness," resulting in a final right side yard setback that “will be around 7.3 feet."

Vinyl siding isn't that thick, typically a projection of 3/4”. I suppose the corner trim could project 1". Again, someone should have submitted a drawing.

There’s insulation under the siding, which adds some more thickness. I suppose one could cheap out on the insulation to save bulk, but then you’d be paying extra on heat and air conditioning every month.

Insulation? What's that?

Haha, right- they’re doing this as cheaply as possible. Who needs insulation?

They do make insulated vinyl siding. It's better than nothing, but that's not "standard." However, what is standard vinyl siding? There's no end of styles and shapes.

Again, tell the BZA exactly what you are installing and include the product documentation. Completely self-inflicted problem leaving "standard vinyl siding" up to the BZA's imagination.

Didn’t help himself with his contractors letter either to describe his hardship (also one of the criteria to assess a variance). The contractor said:

“ As the Engineer/contractor overseeing the project, I confirm that relocating the right side wall of the addition would be extremely difficult and costly. The existing structure is integrated into the foundation, and removal would risk structural integrity. Rebuilding would increase costs substantially and present safety challenges. Thus, we recommend
proceeding with the structure as is.

If the structure were required to move in by 6 inches to 1 foot, it would necessitate dismantling key load-bearing elements, impacting the foundation. This would require re-pouring concrete footer, re-framing, and altering structural supports. This extensive work
would not only escalate costs by tens of thousands but also introduce safety risks and structure integrity during demolition and reconstruction. For these reasons, we strongly advise against such a move.”

The county’s response to the hardship consideration was:

“While your request lays out some basis of hardship as it relates to increased construction costs and the timeliness of construction activities due to the delays associated with noncompliance, these are solely financial in nature or matters of convenience. The Zoning Administrator cannot find that you have sufficiently proven unreasonable hardship in this instance, as you have not presented any information that shows modification of the addition to conform with the approved setback is not feasible, from either a cost or a practical perspective.”

So is the moral of the story that if you have building plans approved by the county, do not build something entirely different than submitted plans, or start building before you have a survey done?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This is a quote from the denial letter of what the homeowner thought:

Although the addition is unfinished, you explain in your request that the finished wall will be done in "standard vinyl siding — approximately one inch in thickness," resulting in a final right side yard setback that “will be around 7.3 feet."

Vinyl siding isn't that thick, typically a projection of 3/4”. I suppose the corner trim could project 1". Again, someone should have submitted a drawing.

Vinyl siding has around 3/" to 1" of foam board under it if installed correctly, so it will be much more than an inch.

That's certainly not required and I'd be surprised if they planned to do that in this case.

That foamboard layer is standard for siding installation.

Common, not standard.The rest of the house almost certainly doesn't have it.

I also suspect you're suffering from confirmation bias. Foamboard is common, but not that common.

And certainly they're not going to install it if it's going to create a problem for the permit.

[Anonymous]

Worst-case scenario, you realize it is still going to be cheaper for the homeowner to reframe than to give up, right?

I suspect they ultimately get the setback modification, though. But it might take a year.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This is a quote from the denial letter of what the homeowner thought:

Although the addition is unfinished, you explain in your request that the finished wall will be done in "standard vinyl siding — approximately one inch in thickness," resulting in a final right side yard setback that “will be around 7.3 feet."

Vinyl siding isn't that thick, typically a projection of 3/4”. I suppose the corner trim could project 1". Again, someone should have submitted a drawing.

There’s insulation under the siding, which adds some more thickness. I suppose one could cheap out on the insulation to save bulk, but then you’d be paying extra on heat and air conditioning every month.

Insulation? What's that?

Haha, right- they’re doing this as cheaply as possible. Who needs insulation?

They do make insulated vinyl siding. It's better than nothing, but that's not "standard." However, what is standard vinyl siding? There's no end of styles and shapes.

Again, tell the BZA exactly what you are installing and include the product documentation. Completely self-inflicted problem leaving "standard vinyl siding" up to the BZA's imagination.

They knew exactly what was meant. They just weren't going to administratively approve a controversial project. The homeowner needs to demonstrate he's willing to go to court.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This is a quote from the denial letter of what the homeowner thought:

Although the addition is unfinished, you explain in your request that the finished wall will be done in "standard vinyl siding — approximately one inch in thickness," resulting in a final right side yard setback that “will be around 7.3 feet."

Vinyl siding isn't that thick, typically a projection of 3/4”. I suppose the corner trim could project 1". Again, someone should have submitted a drawing.

There’s insulation under the siding, which adds some more thickness. I suppose one could cheap out on the insulation to save bulk, but then you’d be paying extra on heat and air conditioning every month.

Insulation? What's that?

Haha, right- they’re doing this as cheaply as possible. Who needs insulation?

They do make insulated vinyl siding. It's better than nothing, but that's not "standard." However, what is standard vinyl siding? There's no end of styles and shapes.

Again, tell the BZA exactly what you are installing and include the product documentation. Completely self-inflicted problem leaving "standard vinyl siding" up to the BZA's imagination.

They knew exactly what was meant. They just weren't going to administratively approve a controversial project. The homeowner needs to demonstrate he's willing to go to court.

How could they know what was meant without any exact measurements to examine? How do you know what the board knows?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This is a quote from the denial letter of what the homeowner thought:

Although the addition is unfinished, you explain in your request that the finished wall will be done in "standard vinyl siding — approximately one inch in thickness," resulting in a final right side yard setback that “will be around 7.3 feet."

Vinyl siding isn't that thick, typically a projection of 3/4”. I suppose the corner trim could project 1". Again, someone should have submitted a drawing.

There’s insulation under the siding, which adds some more thickness. I suppose one could cheap out on the insulation to save bulk, but then you’d be paying extra on heat and air conditioning every month.

Insulation? What's that?

Haha, right- they’re doing this as cheaply as possible. Who needs insulation?

They do make insulated vinyl siding. It's better than nothing, but that's not "standard." However, what is standard vinyl siding? There's no end of styles and shapes.

Again, tell the BZA exactly what you are installing and include the product documentation. Completely self-inflicted problem leaving "standard vinyl siding" up to the BZA's imagination.

They knew exactly what was meant. They just weren't going to administratively approve a controversial project. The homeowner needs to demonstrate he's willing to go to court.

How could they know what was meant without any exact measurements to examine? How do you know what the board knows?

Don't be obtuse. We all know what the homeowner intends to install. And if they were going to install foamboard, it would have been on the permit application.

But no one installs foamboard on an addition, and certainly not at this price point. Separate from that, the width differences between vinyl siding options is negligible.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This is a quote from the denial letter of what the homeowner thought:

Although the addition is unfinished, you explain in your request that the finished wall will be done in "standard vinyl siding — approximately one inch in thickness," resulting in a final right side yard setback that “will be around 7.3 feet."

Vinyl siding isn't that thick, typically a projection of 3/4”. I suppose the corner trim could project 1". Again, someone should have submitted a drawing.

There’s insulation under the siding, which adds some more thickness. I suppose one could cheap out on the insulation to save bulk, but then you’d be paying extra on heat and air conditioning every month.

Insulation? What's that?

Haha, right- they’re doing this as cheaply as possible. Who needs insulation?

They do make insulated vinyl siding. It's better than nothing, but that's not "standard." However, what is standard vinyl siding? There's no end of styles and shapes.

Again, tell the BZA exactly what you are installing and include the product documentation. Completely self-inflicted problem leaving "standard vinyl siding" up to the BZA's imagination.

They knew exactly what was meant. They just weren't going to administratively approve a controversial project. The homeowner needs to demonstrate he's willing to go to court.

How could they know what was meant without any exact measurements to examine? How do you know what the board knows?

Don't be obtuse. We all know what the homeowner intends to install. And if they were going to install foamboard, it would have been on the permit application.

But no one installs foamboard on an addition, and certainly not at this price point. Separate from that, the width differences between vinyl siding options is negligible.

No one installs siding anymore without the extra layer of insulation.