Green Homes News

Howdy. I am installing a Panasonic vent fan with a DC motor that I want to run on a continuous on/off repeat cycle. 30 minutes on then 30 minutes off…

I’m currently designing a proposal for a home in Portland, Maine (Climate Zone 6). The window detail uses Corten steel as the exterior material, which provides an overhang for summer…

I have a situation where the new roof was  framed over the old roof. I’ll include a sketch. My question is, where the old roof meets the ceiling it gets…

Hello! I'm seeking advice on how to insulate the rim joist area on my 1950's Cape Cod near Philadelphia. It's a stick frame with brick veneer (no weep holes as…

I’m building a new house in Wisconsin. The home sits at the bottom of a low point of a 2 hills which is not ideal but what it is. I’m…

My understanding is that when building a conditioned attic below an unvented hybrid roof assembly, it is not necessary to install an air barrier on the underside of the roof…

I'm considering installing a vinyl fence around my property for a low-maintenance, durable option. Can anyone share experiences regarding how well vinyl fences hold up over time, especially in different…

For my latest project, I decided to renovate our shower.  When the contractor took out the shower pan there was plywood under it (with some moisture and after further investigation,…

Responsive vapor retarders deliver vapor control that adapts with the seasons. They can also be great air barriers if they're detailed right. Here's what builders should know.

See attached photos. While preparing to repaint, I noticed mold when I took off baseboards. My question is about finding the cause, as I'm already planning to rip out affected…

I received such spot on advice for a roofing question I figured I would ask the other one that was puzzling me...I have a side "shed" style roof under the…

I'm sizing a new heat pump system. Trying to decide between Tempstar (Carrier equivalent) systems rated at 24K BTU/hr ( AHRI Cert#: 215319085) and 30K BTU/hr ( 215319098). As of right…

Hello all,I'm about to install new foam board insulation on an addition attached* to a late-1800's triple wythe brick farmhouse in zone 5A (central PA). I've read a ton and…

This is the second post of GBA’s series, “Building Science Puzzles.” The first post, which you can read here, discussed the reasons for the investigation, explained the process, and shared the…

I am installing a standing seam roof with strirations on a small shed.  The panels are just 80",  I checked for square (3-4-5) and thought I had everything set, but…

In relation to the 10-20-40-60 rule of thumb in the Pretty Good House book, how does this correspond to the code requirement for R30 floor in 2021 IECC?

In 2020 we purchased a large batch of operable, fiberglass, triple glaze, flanged windows (30" x 56") from a US-based "high performance" manufacturer. There were 4 we ended up not…

We have Siga Fentrim 430 over the gap between our sheathing and foundation insulation. It’s been rainy here and parts of the siga tape look and feel wet while other…

I just got my first mini-split unit installed last week, its a Fujistu aouh24kzah1, a 24k unit, which is a cold climate unit since I am in Vermont. I have it…

Part four of the Energy Smart Detail series on integrating windows with continuous exterior insulation