Green Homes News

This is the second post of GBA’s series, “Building Science Puzzles.” The first post, which you can read here, discussed the reasons for the investigation, explained the process, and shared the…

I am installing a standing seam roof with strirations on a small shed.  The panels are just 80",  I checked for square (3-4-5) and thought I had everything set, but…

In relation to the 10-20-40-60 rule of thumb in the Pretty Good House book, how does this correspond to the code requirement for R30 floor in 2021 IECC?

In 2020 we purchased a large batch of operable, fiberglass, triple glaze, flanged windows (30" x 56") from a US-based "high performance" manufacturer. There were 4 we ended up not…

We have Siga Fentrim 430 over the gap between our sheathing and foundation insulation. It’s been rainy here and parts of the siga tape look and feel wet while other…

I just got my first mini-split unit installed last week, its a Fujistu aouh24kzah1, a 24k unit, which is a cold climate unit since I am in Vermont. I have it…

Part four of the Energy Smart Detail series on integrating windows with continuous exterior insulation

We're building a home in SE Wisconsin (climate zone 5) using 6" of Rockwool comfortboard (two layers of 3") for exterior insulation, then furring strips and extruded aluminum cladding. I'm…

The insulation crew finished blowing in dense pack cellulose at my new build today, and I noticed they used Certainteed Membrain in the above-grade walls in the walkout basement on…

Canada just released some standardized housing designs. The goal is to accelerate construction of housing by allowing homeowners and developers to minimize the cost of having to pay for design…

Hi- I am designing a garage conversion for a client.  There will be exploration on the foundation later this week, but  I am wondering whether it is best to remove…

Has anyone ever used LP Weather Logic or Zip sheathing had experience with it being exposed to the elements for three months while waiting for siding and gutters? Our roof,…

I am doing a retrofit to a 1950s cottage in zone five in Canada. I am going to be using the insofast X brackets along with a monolithic spray foam…

Hello, I will be insulating my basement walls to add some basic livable space and was wondering how I should approach it given recent code changes, best practices etc. I…

These flexible grid assets have potential to relieve pressure on an increasingly congested power grid

I am remodeling a 70's ranch with a walk out basement, for the most part the house is in good shape just dated. However, the exterior is t-111 that is…

Building a log cabin where there will be an insulated flat roof, then open gables, then a pitched, uninsulated roof with a standing seam metal roof.  Above the rafters are…

Hello, I’m in the middle of remodeling a first-floor room in my house in South Central Pennsylvania (Zone 4). The room is currently gutted to the studs, and the ceiling…

Hi, I had our driveway poured on Sep 15 (in Houston Texas) and requested my builder not to have any vehicles on it for 4 weeks to let the concrete…

Building a new home in south Arkansas. The roof I have in mind is as follows. R44 blown in mineral wool, 2x4 trusses, 5/8 plywood decking, underlayment, 3/4 EPS rigid…