Green Homes News

Hello, Im building in southeast Alaska (zone 7)  and Im interested in finding the best quality exterior vents for bathroom fans/dryers and range hoods.  it seems most have a very cheesy…

Does it make sense to insulate a walkout foundation wall more than a below grade or transition grade wall in a basement?  I am planning to put up to 4" of…

What are the wall assembly water and moisture damage risks due to WRB being wrapped onto the rough opening sill of our window openings and DuPont FlexWrap wrap being applied…

Stable averages can hide rising pressure. A closer look at fuel costs, tariffs, commodity disruptions, and slowing housing starts reveals why today’s calm pricing environment may not last.

Renovating a 1920's farm house.  Gutting interior and all new MEP.  Would like to use mini-splits with a pellet stove back-up.  Climate zone 5A. Insurance agent said in follow up…

Texas leads the country in homebuilding; it also has one the nation’s biggest housing shortages – how do these datasets coexist?

What is the proper way to marry the 4" XPS foam to the 2 layers of 1.5" XPS foam that I will be installing on the OSB sheathing? Do I…

What levels of humidity (or dewpoint, VPD, etc) are risky in an unvented or poorly vented attic in zone 4A, and how would we know if there are problems (rot,…

Looking to install locking rubber gym tiles on a basement concrete flooring.  Would it be smart to install some type of vapor barrier and any type of underlayment under the…

I am currently reviewing the material specifications for an industrial furnace lining project. We are analyzing the trade-offs between load-softening temperature and chemical corrosion resistance for various refractory brick compositions.Based…

A remodeler wants to pour a new insulated radiant slab over an existing concrete floor and frame new interior walls above it. The question isn't whether the foam will crush—it's whether the entire assembly makes sense

Hello AllThis is one outside corner, where the two Zip panels did not meet properly, but was then taped by the framing crew. I can press on the tape and…

Hello AllMy rim joist and band joists are not at the edge of the sill plate ( to help with exterior insulation).  The foam sill sealer has Lexel above and…

Good day.  I am considering on using sip panels on a new build using both the floor panels and walls. Can foil vapour barrier be used over the inside walls…

Hi everyone,For context, I'm building a one story 1000sf house in Quebec, Canada (slab on grade with frost protected foundation walls).I'm planning to use BC fir planks for all interior…

All five of our exterior doors are leaking into the home at the corners at the bottom of the threshold with rain. They all leak in the same place even…

Our main flooring is a high troweled concrete floor which has concrete relief joints. Is it best to fill these or leave them open? If left open, there is one…

Instead of rigid foam or rockwool for exterior insulation, I will be using rockwool batts fitted between horizontal strapping on my sheathing. As such, my WRB will be on top…

GBA chats with architect, educator, and author Emily Mottram about what drives better building outcomes—from early client conversations to budget decisions and performance priorities

Hello.  Im building a new house in southeast Alaska, Zone 7. we get a lot of rain and winters can very widely from months of 0-20 degree weather to hardy…