Green Homes News

Hello GBA Community,We're getting ready to install our flooring and have run into a common but tricky detail. The Challenge: We are installing a floating floor on our second-floor landing…

Hello,I am in the middle of building a passive house and walls/roof will be framed soon. I designed it with a vent integral with the fascia. See attached images for…

Can a gas appliance get enough air in a tight house without an external source?

I know this question has been raised before and I have read the articles related to the matter on GBA. That said, there are differing opinions from reputable sources regarding…

Scratching my head a little.Not my project.  A friend has purchased for his home: a 1960's chalet with an exposed roof system.  As the rafters are exposed, there is no…

Shout out to all those present who are either carpenters or structural engineers ! Thank u for your valuable contributions over the years to this forum ! Now heres a…

AO Smith 80 gallon HP water heater-11 months old in basement. Hybrid setting.Twice this week my 7am shower has been lukewarm. Wife's shower 2 hours later is normal. Another shower…

A blower door test is a simple, economical method of learning how tight a house is and where the leaks are

We are in the process of building a house in climate zone 5 and are trying to decide on a wall cladding. The current wall design from inside to outside…

Hey everyone need some help. I’m building an addition, on the plans I have casement windows that are on the second floor bedrooms. On  the plans the windows are about…

We are doing a deep energy retrofit in Northern New Jersey. The brick siding on the first floor was removed. The second floor sheathing is proud of the first floor…

I’m building my own house, still deciding about insulation. Batts vs blown in. I’ll be strapping the ceiling, a first for me, and I need advice about the best attic…

I am expanding my cabin - this refers to the new build portion.We have two primary roof scenarios in a complex roof.  (1) Bedroom has cathedral ceiling.  Will be T&G pine,…

Stumped on how to install exterior downlights, see attached sketch & photos.Wall buildup from inside to outside:- 2x6 framing- 1/2" Zip sheathing- 1 1/2" Rockwool- 1 1/2" Rockwool, seams staggered-…

Hi all. I’m renovating an old victorian in the SF bay area (climate zone 3c). Our exterior wall assemblies are 3/4” tongue and groove siding nailed directly onto 2x4 studs.…

Hi,I am planning on replacing my windows with European windows housed in a PVC window buck. Since I will be resizing the RO, I am trying to come up with…

Installing a heat pump makes sense from an environmental perspective—and sometimes, from a financial perspective as well

I'm having a 1900 home in climate 6a insulated. After an energy audit the insullator recommends insulating around basement rim joists with close-cell foam. Joists sit about 2' above grade,…

1900 cape-colonial with roof in shape of Greek-cross. Major ice damming along valleys in the dead of winter. The attic has four ridges and four ridge vents (not correctly installed,…

I'm getting ready to build a small (4x8) shed to house the pressure tank and some filtration equipment for my well in climate zone marine 4 and am looking for…