"The IRC defines an exterior wall as enclosing conditioned space but says nothing about it being habitable. However to use that definition to void the code requirement for a weather barrier over an exterior wall envelope is clearly contrary to the intent of the code since a leak in an unconditioned space is no more desirable than in a conditioned one, not to suggest a building code would even be relevant for this situation." 1) Just because a wall is on the exterior of a house does not mean it encloses conditioned space or is part of the thermal envelope. In the above case, the wall shown is not part of the thermal envelope and does not enclose conditioned space. Therefore, an 'air barrier' like Tyvek would not be required. 2) Only since 2006 has the IRC required a weatherbarrier under most common siding materials, and there are still plenty of jurisdictions across the US that still use 2003 versions of that code. For them, placing a weatherbarrier under the siding would not be required or even enforceable. ---------- That said, and for the record, if you go back to my original comments you will find I did not endorse nor even recommend that this area should have no protection. I said just the opposite: That a weatherbarrier should be installed even if there was no code requirement for it to be there, but that the weather barrier could be any type approved material, like felt paper.... and did not have to be an air barrier like Tyvek.

hmmm i agree on the idea of using what you have with those diagonal posts. one thing i think we all need to see is how the house would look like without the landscape covering up the front as it is hard to tell when we only have the 1 photo , if you do decide to remove the landscape it would give us all a better picture of how the facade would look and what may compliment it.

It’s not meant to be symmetrical but I know how you feel as I have a non- symmetrical. It messes with my head. Saying that though you have much more of “cool” to work with. I would change the paint color, change the garage doors and add a plain round window. I stuck some detail in but that’s just an option. Notice how the circle gives your eye a place to land? Much more restful! Notice how with the zipper of garage window gone that you feel less anxious? Ok, maybe it’s just me : ) EDITED: please forgive my circle, I did it manually. The circle surround frame is smooth not bubbly. Maybe something like these garage doors but perhaps a different color. It just depends on what color you’re painting the house.

None of your windows look to be the style that can handle shutters, so that will save you some money. Let him to the stain job, etc., and you focus on improving the lighting and landscaping. The lantern lights flanking doors need to be 1/3 of the door's height. Are there any lights in the porch ceiling to light all around the house? The ratty looking shrubs by the picnic table need to be removed. Not sure I'd add black to this house. If you decide to paint the house later, you might do the typical white siding and black windows of "modern farmhouse" style if it is still a trend and you like it. A decorative, but not functional, vent in the top of the gable might be ok if you can find one large enough not to be dwarfed by the expanse of wall around it.