Green Homes News

Opting for sustainable cleaning solutions in modern commercial spaces is very quickly becoming a necessity.

Measures taken to seal holes in a slab may not be the primary reason radon levels have gone way down

My concrete contractor is using vegetable oil cut with mineral spirits as a release agent for his forms.   I'm going to be left with quite a few sheets of 5/8"…

I have an uninsulated, unheated 3 season room that sits on a slab we want to connect to the main part of the house. There is a 6-8 inch step…

Location: HKS (Belfer B-322, Salata Conference Room)

Salata Scholars Seminars are dedicated to climate, sustainability, and environmental work done by Harvard students and fellows. Its goal is to embrace the interdisciplinary nature of sustainability research that can’t be confined to a single Harvard school and help like-minded people connect with each other.... Read more about Salata Scholars Seminars Series: Inefficient Policies in the Green Transition

Location: Virtual & Malkin Penthouse, Harvard Kennedy School, 79 JKF St., Cambridge

As the world transitions to a lower carbon economy, new industries, markets, and paths to economic prosperity are emerging. Join Prof. Ricardo Hausmann for a seminar on how the current energy transition is reshaping economic opportunity around the world—opening new doors for some and posing threats to others.... Read more about Green Growth: The Opportunity of Supplying the Global Energy Transition

Hey all, I'm in Vermont and converting a new shed on piers into a home. I've read some great articles here that have helped me figure out the plan for…

I'm embarking on the ugly task of retrofitting/air sealing the backside of a truss attic wall. CZ 5-6bIt has  a vented 9/12 roof, (eaves and ridge) with 2"x 4" vertical…

When installing a new roof or a roof replacement, gathering enough materials is one of the most important steps.

Leveling up on building enclosure details requires flexibility in the work schedule and extra cooperation from other trades

I'm in the process of designing a new home that will be built on Table Rock Lake near Branson, MO.  I have a desire to utilize Cross Laminated Timber as…

Hello,I have cathedral ceiling in two bedrooms and I want to make it unvented with diffusion port, I don’t want to do spray foam. Would the following arrangement work? I…

Looking at building a shop that will be conditioned. I know metal is quicker to assemble but since it will need to be air sealed and insulated would a wood…

I’m building in Colorado county at 11,000 feet, Climate zone 7, approximately 10,500 heating degree days per year, design temperature of -14 and 81. While we do have building codes…

Location: Salata Conference Room, Belfer 3.5, 79 JFK St, Cambridge

Join us for an engaging conversation with Harvard faculty and students who have been researching and studying issues that are critical to the Amazon region’s climate and sustainable development. This event will showcase projects related to environmental science, public health, illegal gold mining, biodiversity and public policy.... Read more about Navigating the Amazon Rainforest: A Glimpse at Harvard Endeavors

I’m in the process of building a sauna.  I’m a little stumped on the metal roof. I’m using 38” steel panels with 4 ribs. Everywhere i search it shows to…

Location: Virtual

Many of the world’s most productive agricultural regions are increasingly vulnerable to extreme droughts, floods, and unpredictable weather patterns. As climate change forces farmers to migrate and adapt, the ripple effects on global food systems and public health will be felt for decades. In response, crop research centers are racing to develop new seed varieties that can withstand these harsh conditions.... Read more about Hunger, Food Security, and the Race to Produce New Seeds for a Climate-Changed World

I had asked about this before and it seemed the consensus in my case was a smart vapor retarder. As I've moved along with my build, a few things have…

I'm wrapping up a build and I need to add some gutters to my building.I've got a 7/12 pitch metal roof, with a 2x6 as a fascia board on the…

Building a home is a significant investment, and careful planning is essential to avoid common mistakes.