Green Homes News

The first of a limited series of blogs focusing on resiliency and affordability in residential construction

The ducts in the attached pictures are partially buried in R22 cellulose insulation.  The duct R-value is unknown but surely doesn't reach R8.  I was hoping to, say, drape plastic-covered…

Hope everyone is well wanted to ask a very specific energy calculation. If I insulated a 20x25 detached garage with r-13 batts in the wall, 1/2 polyiso on exterior walls,…

We are trying to decide between a power vent / power direct vent for a water heater. Is power direct vent preferred in a very tight house ?

I'm currently undertaking the deep energy retrofit of a 1970's home in central Vermont (Climate Zone 6a.) In short, we're peeling the whole house back to the sheathing layer (CDX…

After a six-year hiatus, the Fine Homebuilding Summit returns for 2025

I'm reposting an updated question since my initial question got a bit buried while I was unable to reply due to the site issues.Our home, in Zone 6A, update has…

I have a cape style house, with HVAC in the upper attic. I want to enclose the space a "bring the HVAC inside". The way I see it, I have…

You can collect rainwater and (sometimes) even drink it

Hi, In Torrance, CA, where 284 sunny days push roof temps to 160°F, spiking AC costs. For roofing services tackling coastal heat and salt, I’m eyeing high-SRI TPO or metal…

I am exploring solar options, though my roof is not the typical that solar installers are interested in:- Roof structure, bottom up: Single slope shed roof, very low 0.72:12 pitch,…

Hello AllAttached are the prelim front and right elevations of our future new construction home. There is a slope from left to right, with the right side around 9 feet…

In Climate zone 4A, as part of a renovation I had my GC remove fiberglass insulation between an unconditioned basement and first floor addition above it. Probably about a 25x10…

Which is the cement for building my house?

I'm in the end stages of researching how to do the roof on my double hipped, 60's, limestone home, with a chimney and a 3.81/12 pitch. Half of the house…

Hey all, we've been dealing with this for a few months and are slowly starting to lose our minds over it.  We bought an older home that had fallen into…

Hey just some quick advice. My detached garage is on concrete block. I have 1/2 inch foil faced polyiso. Do I need housewrap with foil face? Does polyiso go to…

We're doing a 12" TJI roof, on a 2:12 slope. I'm going to use rigid foam to establish the ventilation channel using the TJI flanges, as in the attached drawing…

I'm building a 32 x 48 feet garage/workshop, have used ICF for the 6 foot stem walls, 16 inches of this is above ground. I'm just 1 hour North from…

My polyurethaned pine tongue and groove ceiling has a visible black line at an end joint, and I found a spot splat on the floor below. Online looks to be…