Green Homes News

All,We are finally in the home stretch of the design process and hope to be breaking ground by October of this year on the first building, a detached garage, which…

How water testing and treatment are critical to ensuring clean, safe water from your faucets

Based on Martin’s answer here: https://www.greenbuildingadvisor.com/question/vented-attic-vapor-retarder US building codes do not require vented cathedral ceilings in zones 1-5 to have a vapor retarder (just need an air barrier). I also…

Hi all. I have a question about the proper technique for dense-packing cellulose into existing wall cavities…Short version:  When dense-packing a wall cavity with cellulose, how important is it for…

BCI joists are blocked at rim joist with BCI cutoffs, leaving a 3/4-1” air gap between the block and rim joist (due to outward facing half of BCI flange). Considering…

I've designed an 8'x8' cathedral ceiling mudroom for clients in Kingston NY - Zone 6A. Although the addition is unheated and will be constructed on pier footings (not a full…

Hello Good People,For context, I'm residing my 1960 Cape in Boston, MA Climate Zone 6A. The house previously had cedar shingles over 1/2" fiberboard and tar paper, with board sheathing…

Rising housing costs, higher interest rates, and changing household demographics are pushing homebuyers to prioritize efficient, flexible living spaces over larger homes

EDIT:  I meant to reply to Martin’s post in advance framing.  That is the illustration I’m referencing in my question, for clarification.  Anyway, Im in the midst of building a…

Looking for someone experienced in brick monopoly framed details to help or provide construction details for a new build. Project is in the Southeastern US. Thanks.

Is there an effective method to seal out VOCs from Tremco, etc, that is buried in a wall assembly?  Interior drywall and primer/paint, are not a complete barrier as I…

Picked up a roll of vintage copper/bronze screen ~4'x100' (over 50 lbs).Looking to put it to use at the Sill Plate, new construction home climate 5A.Originally planning on making a…

Hello!We are currently planning a closet design/build and I suspect that putting MDF panels (as the closet backer) up against drywall could be potential for a moisture problem (where the…

Vented and unvented roofs have diffferent insulation requirements that aren't always apparent

Single-story slab-on-grade, brick veneer, Meridian MS (CZ2A). Spray foam attic original to the build (9 years old). Had glue-down LVT fail with moisture and mold at the perimeter.During mold remediation…

Some poly vapor barrier repairs were accidentally made with tyvek rather than poly tape. Drywall covered now. How big is failure risk from using housewrap tape instead of poly tape?…

Some poly vapor barrier repairs were accidentally made with tyvek rather than poly tape. Drywall covered now. How big is failure risk from using housewrap tape instead of poly tape?…

Hi GBA Community,My 1960s Calgary bi-level (Zone 7A) has partially cast-in-concrete floor joists. I've read the threads below but want feedback before finalizing my approach. References:- NRCan Fig 6-18/6-19 (air-sealing &…

Is it best to use a PVC baseboard for slab on grade or wood? We have created our walls to have drying capability with rockwool, and intello vapor barrier and…

I’m building a shop-over-garage building in climate 6B, with 90 psf ground snow load. Due to some design constraints on height and cost, I’m not doing a fancy hot roof…