Green Homes News

What happens to a radiant floor slab system when, after maybe 45 years, the PEX wears out?  Normally I'd think the easiest way to deal with it would be to…

For an extension room I am creating, from an existing porch, I would like to redo the roof, so as to have some rigid insulation on the exterior.  I will…

We’re working with an architect on a renovation of our 3-story 1880’s Victorian masonry home in Chicago (5a). This first phase of work includes significant improvements to the building envelope…

The prototype solves some inherent problems with concrete 3D buildings, but can printing go mainstream?

currently considering a 12" double-stud-wall in cz-6 and noodling with window options.one option would be an outie (flanged or euro), which would have the benefit of avoiding extension-jambs, but would…

I have a 1914 bungalow in Climate Zone 4C. About 15 years ago I had the foundation under most of the house replaced. It has a footing (15” wide IIRC),…

I'm in climate zone 5A (Toronto, Canada) and have been weighing the costs/benefits of various assemblies. I was considering 4-6" of mineral wool on my exterior, then moved on to…

Hello All!I am looking to finish a basement in climate zone 5A. The plan is to add an accessory kitchen, full bathroom and half bath. Mechanical ventilation will be provided…

We live in Maine. I am looking for a small, energy efficient wall mounted heater for my mechanical room 150 sq feet that has a thermostat that will turn the…

Curious how important the backside paper on drywall is for structural integrity, vapor control, or other reasons?Reason I ask is I've been hanging 5/8" with "loose" backing paper and the…

Does anyone know how to search for heat pumps by their "Turn Down Ratio"? For example, a heat pump that can produce 1,000 BTU/Hour and ramp up to 11,00o BTU/Hour…

Do Rainscreen gaps help any more or less with a house thats being heated by an outdoor wood burner only - in Wisconsin? Regardless of siding type.

I live in Wisconsin. Purchased this house almost 2 years ago. They remodeled this around the early 90s and built a suspended sunroom roughly 3ft off the ground. I put…

Climate zone 6: In a conditioned attic (only used for storage) which now has 4" of closed cell spray foam covered with intumescent paint (all under the roof deck), if…

Hello - We are planning to build two storied colonial house. New Construction. For lighting detail, I read recess can lights are bad choice to air sealing. What do you…

Good evening,      I have recently obtained an owner builder permit for an addition to a roughly 1000 square foot 1940 built house out in Reno NV (Climate zone 5).…

Hi all,Working on designs for my own home, and I'm at the point where I have to decide on the exterior wall construction to get an idea of wall thicknesses. My…

I was discussing flashing thickness requirements with a few friends over lunch (riveting, I know), and I’d like y’all’s opinion. Most other flashing requirements are called out by minimum thicknesses, typically…

As I turn my screened porch into a four-season room, I am confused on the need/risks of adding a vapor barrier to the floor.  When the porch was built, a…

Semester: Spring

• Professor: Alex Wall
• Term: Spring
• Day: W
• Time: 9:00–11:45AM
• School: Graduate School of Design
• Course ID: 216827... Read more about DES 3396. Thinking Landscape - Making Cities: Designing Regenerative Futures