Green Homes News

A year of side-by-side field monitoring in a Climate Zone 5 double-stud wall

I’m getting ready to cover my popcorn ceilings on my house that was recently purchased. My plan is to put 1 or 1.5” inch of poly iso foam installation on…

What are people typically doing for a door sill pan that's wider than 7.25"? That seems to be the limit for pre-made sill pans. Custom bent metal with site made…

We are planning to use the contega w/ sill seal method as pictured below for our garage build. The one thing I found when looking up details is that you…

Can anyone recommend a free heat load calculator? I’m renovating a 1950s ranch home for my parents with heavy insulation upgrades, including double exterior walls with mineral wool and exterior…

I bought an “induction” pot that barely worked. A side-by-side test shows why—and what to look for before you buy.

Hi All,I live in Toronto, USDA Zone 5/6. Our house is double brick, 1920s or 1930s, lathe and plaster walls interior and no insulation.The basement has interior waterproofing and spray…

Hello GBA, I think most of you know I work for Fine Homebuilding. Several of you were really helpful with an article I wrote a few years ago about making…

Manufacturers are working to reduce packaging waste, but durability, cost, and new regulations complicate the path to more-sustainable solutions

I am trying to determine what is the best insulation for our home in south Florida and avoid toxic materials as some of my family members are sensitive to chemicals.…

I have a new build in zone 6a, and noticed water leaking in above a window after the siding went on. I have a contractor working on the site but…

Thanks to state-level legislative efforts, U.S. consumers will have greater access to plug-in solar devices, assuming states can remove the red tape

Integrating blue carpets Dubai into green building projects requires focusing on low-VOC emissions and sustainable material sourcing. These high-quality carpets provide excellent thermal insulation, contributing to the energy efficiency of…

A DIY builder questions his heat-loss numbers—raising bigger questions about Manual J accuracy, low-load homes, and HVAC sizing.

I'm so grateful for the help of the GBA community as we build our new home and I have had so many questions along the way.  At the moment I'm…

Let me get right to the point.After a little more than 15 years in the residential construction and home improvement fields, I am left with this nagging question in my…

Hi AllQuestion is regarding flashing over the Zip, which isnt flush with rough opening and the 2 x 4 window bucks.Rough opening is within 2" x 6" wall, followed by…

Hello!I have a bunch of under-driven staples on Zip sheathing. Is it okay to hammer it flush, and then apply Zip liquid flash or Prosoco Fastflash over it? Pics attached.Thanks!

I came across this article after reading about some issues with fly ash (it is harder to find with coal plants shutting down, and it is probably not good for…

I’m retrofitting an old building. It has solid brick walls (no insulation, no vapor barrier) and a slab on grade floor (no insulation, no vapor barrier). I want to insulate…