Green Homes News

Code officials and designers weigh in on the risks and benefits of office-to-housing conversions

Hi, what is best practice for air sealing a flanged window when the bottom flange is left untaped and un nailed to allow water to escape? Do we rely on…

Hello, what is best practice for air sealing the bottom flange of a window that is not nailed or taped to allow water to escape. Is it done by spray…

Any reason to upgrade from 1×4-8 fir strips ($3.34 ea) to use Common lumber ($6.47) for battens?  At 1,900 linear feet of batten it makes quite a difference.

hey all,We have a 3/4" rain screen going over 2" of rigid Polyiso.  Where the battens are low, and closer to the bottom/rain, do we need to paint or treat…

I am in the hot-dry climate of Phoenix, AZ. I have a barn constructed of a skeletal steel frame filled in with plywood walls and topped with a corrugated steel…

Hello GBA Experts,This is my first post, and it's with bit of urgency.Long story short.. We had a massive tree fall on our house in one of the recent storms…

As always I try to avoid the use of spray foam but a client we are designing a new home for is adamant on wanting low slope roofs (for aesthetics)…

Hi folks.  I am getting ready to clear a spot for a small barn / detached garage that I am going to build. The enclosed part of the structure will…

How do you keep concrete warm when everything else is freezing?

Looking for feedback on proposed options for replacing my 26 y.o. gas furnace with a dual-fuel system (ducted high-heat heat pump with gas furnace for backup heat and air handling).…

Hey All,Currently working through a new build in CZ6, Idaho. Framing is just about to be completed and the roof is getting put on, windows and doors set by end…

I understand SHGC is about blocking penetration of sunlight into an interior, and thereby reducing solar heat gain (SHG). But if a window is shaded, so that direct light is…

Hi all, Are there any drawings, photos, or guides for how to make penetrations in preexisting corrugated siding that is attached directly to the plywood sheating? I need to make some…

I've had lots of questions recently.  We are nearing the end of our framing.  I've been working with the framers on some of the details to make a continuous air…

My background is custom home construction/historic preservation and restoration. I had a pre-fab 2 story garage/studio erected (Amish company out of PA.)  on my property. 28 x 32 slab, 2…

Since we've had some fun talking about advanced dehumidifier technology recently, I thought people would interested in the four-refrigerant-coil design that Thermastor (parent company of Santa Fe) uses in their…

I know that none of you are structural engineers but has anyone used ICF taper top forms before? Are they designed to carry the same loads and the center core…

I was given some hemp panels which are 3/4" thick with a claimed R value of 2.4. I'd like to use it on the inside of my exterior walls to…

We’re in the process of renovating (full gut) 20 historic masonry row homes.  The goal is to prove that energy efficiency can be a priority even while working on homes…