How to ensure no mositure gets in where timber meets brick?

[marthaishka]

Hi everyone, we're in the process of plasterboard sheeting a rustic laundry space downstairs in our house to convert it into a nicer laundry and kitchenette. The plan is to use foilboard sheeting and furring channels and then plasterboard following the guidelines and airgaps from foilboard. The ceiling will be staying exposed. See picture of the space (we messed up and need to remove the furring channels and then reattach after we put in the Foilboard on). 

My question is about the space where the concrete brick wall steps in and becomes timber. My inital thought was to insulate it further with Earthwool but I've been thinking - Could those small airgaps to the outside (pictured) cause an issue? While they are well under the eaves and under a timber balcony but I guess rain I guess could still come sideways onto the balcony and drip in come in. Should I seal them or is it good for ventalation?

small airgaps in the wood

 bigger airgapFull wall 

breakdown of wall plan

[MitchellMc]

Hi @marthaishka,

I'd recommend sealing the gaps on the outside to prevent water from entering the timberwork. This might just require a paintable gap filler. The gaps are only small, but you don't want water creeping in and entering the plasterboard.

Please let me know if you have any questions.

Mitchell

A note to our New Zealand members: The use of foil-based insulation products are prohibited.

[marthaishka]

Thanks so much @MitchellMc - great to hear it’s only a small task using No More Gaps. One more question / would using EarthWool be overkill or the right thing to do with that space? I haven’t bought it yet but had planned to over the weekend 

[MitchellMc]

I think adding insulation there would be a good idea, @marthaishka, especially if you later decide to enclose the ceiling. It would be a shame to insulate the ceiling and have a gap around the perimeter that isn't insulated.

Mitchell