Green Homes News

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…

Is it better to build new, or fix old houses?

We discovered an unfortunate situation: the house we bought has no drywall behind the custom shelves/cabinetry in the living room. On the other side of the wall is the garage.The…

I am beginning to sheath my garage workshop with OSB and am second guessing my choice. OSB just seems so fragile. Plywood can get wet and be fine once it…

Hello - My wife and I bought a 1971 chalet style home in northern New Hampshire, climate zone 6, in 2022. The home has a cathedral ceiling with fully exposed 4x9…

How to provide an effective air control system for window installations

Looking for any experience in using a HP HW heater in the following scenarios:1) With a HW circulation loop (on timer, motion sensor or other smart use trigger)2) With a…

Building a new house in zone 5A, have forced hot air for mild heat/cooling, but added radiant floor heating pex to basement, first floor subfloor, and garage floor as HVAC…