Green Homes News

(long time reader, first time commenter -- thank you all for the excellent resource!)I was hoping to insulate with dense pack cellulose (walls + roof) on a new, single family…

Although researchers know which indoor air contaminants are most injurious to human health, removing those contaminants isn’t easy

I’m in the process of renovating at basement in our 100 yr old house. I’m adding a full bath in the basement and I need to replace some galvanized water…

How planning, coordination, and communication can turn a construction project into a beautifully orchestrated performance.

Minnesota, zone 6.I have a house with a 17 year old roof that needs replacement. The roof is an unvented cathedral ceiling with closed cell spray foam applied directly to…

I enjoyed your review of the ECO-PANELS SIP. I am in discussion with them right now for our new home design. I would presume from your evaluation of ECO-PANELS SIP's…

I’ve seen it said on this site by Martin Holladay and others that a block wall can stay wet for a century or something to that effect, but he also…

I have a few questions regarding incorporating wrb, continuous insulation and window install with vinyl siding. I am doing conventional framing with 5/8 cdx plywood taped for air seal and 2…

How to locate, size, and detail exterior terminations for balanced mechanical ventilation systems

The tried and true seemed to be 1” (or so) of air space beneath the sheathing for soffit to ridge ventilation.I recently have encountered the “that is simply not enough”…

Has anyone installed four 3 inch layers of rockwool comfortboard 80 on  exterior sheathing? I have one solution that uses custom 'larsen trusses' with 12 inches between the inner and…

I need some advice on a renovation I will be starting in the next few weeks. The concern arises on where to put the WRB , with rigid foam insulation…

A new report examines the building industry’s endemic plastics problem, dissects common myths, and offers some viable solutions.

Working on a new build with a vented attic in CZ 4A and becoming concerned about nighttime radiative cooling leading to intermittent condensation on the roof sheathing. Exterior roof insulation…

Hello,I was wondering if anyone had anything to add to my decision matrix on my upcoming purchase and install of 4" exterior insulation.  This is on a 2 story custom…

The house was built in 1924. Roof is 2x6 stick-built 16" OC gable roof (1x ridge), 1x8 decking with asphalt shingles. There are 2 dormers on each side of the…

I live in central Vermont and have a staple-up hydronic radiant floor (Onix) under a tiled living space (10'x18'). The basement below should be treated as unconditioned, but it has…

Why drawings, specs, and coordinated documentation form the backbone of high-performance residential construction

Why does everyone seem to prefer the idea of putting the insulation below a foundation slab instead of on top of it? That seems harder to do, in terms of…

We recently raised a 200 year old post and beam frame after repairing or replacing many timbers. We plan to build an interior 2x4 wall and fill the 11 inch…