Green Homes News

Hi, I'm in climate zone 4B to 5B (right on the line), and planning out a house that I'll be building.  I am pretty new to designing for cold and assuming…

Building a new home this summer in Southcentral coastal Alaska, zone 7. We average about 25" of rain and 4' of snow each year give or take, heating about 8…

I installed WRB late last fall, and managed to get it mostly covered with tarps within 2 months (mfr states it is rated for 6 months of exposure but recommends…

The walls of this old house are currently insulated with 1” XPS cut-and-cobbled to sit against the plank sheathing. An air barrier is established at the XPS with sheathing tape…

I know its best practice to use a  dimple matt on the exterior basement walls, but i dont really want to buy something if its not value added. Just finished…

We have a customer that we are installing a new roof for. The roof will be stone coated steel shingles. We are in climate zone 6. The customer would like…

The GBA article on installing an ERV/HRV (https://www.greenbuildingadvisor.com/article/installing-an-erv-or-hrv) says "Indoor air is typically pulled from bathrooms, the kitchen, and the laundry room".  Allison Bailes #1 rule on installing an ERV…

They’re a good start, but keeping your house dry and free of rot may require more than just drainage

I have a 1975 home in zone 4C that has 1000sf of cathedral ceiling with 2x8 framing with insulation more of less filling the cavity.  the attic space around these…

I want to make a 2.25" x 6.5" cut through the bottom plate of a partition wall to run two 3" Comfoflex tubes down to the lower level (see red…

https://imgur.com/a/nAi9cgwI have two ervs supplying 4 bedrooms via dedicated ducts.They supply into the bedrooms and get back to the returns which are placed in the conditioned attic, via 2 inch…

GBA editor Randy Williams talks with longtime building science writer and retired GBA editor Martin Holladay. Martin reflects on building science, energy codes, and the future of housing

I'm preparing to frame my covered porch so I can start roofing my house in NY state. Before I do that, I need to figure out my concrete detail. I already…

Many HVAC problems start on the drawing board. Here are common design mistakes that lead to poor airflow, comfort issues, and inefficient systems.

My house (Climate zone 4A) has a small attic (200sf), which is encapsulated with 4" of polyiso above the roof deck, mineral wool batts in the rafter space and an…

I have a house built in 1960 in Climate Zone 4A.  I am looking to insulate or at least air seal the rim joist bays along with insulating the basement…

Integrated design in residential construction: why early builder involvement improves cost, quality, and coordination

Hi AllWe're in framing stage. As air barrier, I have Zip 1/2" on the attic floor. This goes underneath the knee wall bottom plates. The roof is not fully framed…

HiI'm looking to insulate and finish a basement room made of concrete blocks. The foundation exterior walls are covered with a delta membrane and damproofing (bitumen material-black stuff).The concrete block…

I happened to see this at a construction site today. One inch XPS directly over the studs, and then sheathing -- Zip board -- over the XPS.I thought it was…