Tdog400
ON, CAmember
All How-To Topics
All Tool Guide Topics
Browse All Videos
Deck Design & Construction Showcase
Meet the Fine Homebuilding Project House!
13 Door Design and Installation Tips
Buyer's Guide to Decking
The Inspector Game: Decking Dos and Don'ts
10 Basement-Remodeling Tips and Techniques
7 Solutions for Kitchen Layout and Design
2012 HOUSES Awards
Complete Kitchen and Bath Guide
How it Works
15 Coffered Ceiling Design Ideas and Tips
Guide to Paperless Drywall
12 Remodeling Secrets Revealed
Energy-Smart Details
Outdoor Kitchen Design Inspiration
7 Small Bathroom Floorplan Layouts
9 Design Ideas & Tips for Concrete Countertops
Roofing articles, videos, tools, and materials
Fine Homebuilding: The Digital Issues
Painting Ideas, Tips, and Techniques for a Professional Finish

Taunton Home | Books & Videos | Contact Us | Product recall information
Privacy Policy | Copyright Notice | Taunton Guarantee | User Agreement | About Us | Work for Us | Contact Us | Advertise | Press Room | Customer Service | Subscriber Alert
© 2012 The Taunton Press, Inc. All rights reserved.
Recent comments
Re: Can You Add Rigid-Foam Insulation On the Inside of a Wall?
Forget the cellulose especially in a moisture laden kitchen. It settles and absorbs moisture thereby losing most of its R value. Another faulty product.
posted: 11:01 am on November 8thStick with Roxul or Rigid foil back foam boards and consider foil taping strips of foil bubble wrap insulation between the studs to reflect all the heat from the kitchen.
This system is 100% vapor barrier and allows zero air or moisture movement. If moisture does get trapped it will transmit trough the wood studs to the lowest point as trees do in nature.
If you have concerns about Styrofoam insulation being a fire hazard consider that 99% of most homes do not catch on fire .. But there is a 99% chance you will encounter mold issues in an improperly insulated home.
Re: Vapor Barriers Are a Good Thing, Right?
As any wood worker knows OSB is ALL end grain. This means it is a giant moisture sponge( aka mold candy). OSB was never a structural material and was never meant to have any permanent place in any building. It was meant to be a cheap temporary sheet material.
posted: 10:33 am on November 8thThe problem arises when we have engineers and architects guiding an industry that they have no practical experience in. They may draw pretty pictures...BUT you cannot live in a piece of paper.
The next problem is the use of pink and other fiberglass batt insulation. These batts actually allow air ,wind and moisture to pass through and thereby absorb and hold moisture promoting moulds. "Roxul" batt insulation is near solid stone fibre and does not allow wind or moisture to pass as well as repelling water and moisture
Green and blue drywall is"supposedly" moisture resistant and yet it absorbs moisture and promotes mould on both side of it.
Many builders install windows with tiny little opening at the bottom of the window. Remember HOT AIR RISES!!! Smoke from your burning toast also rises. Did you forget your basic grade school science class?
ALL of these problems are as a result of builders NOT doing their own homework themselves and letting supposed qualified individuals ie. Engineers and architects guide an industry in which the majority of them have absolutely no practical experience whatsoever.
My profession is restoring century homes. I have learned from the past 100 plus years the success and failure of many products and building systems. I also work on many brand new buildings which often show the results of failed systems within months of completion.
Many building codes are so completely wrong and yet builders blindly follow them. We need to change this system.
Lose the Tyvek. Lose the fiberglass insulation. Lose the tiny cheap windows. Lose the OSB and those silly OSB "I" beams.
We need to think about building things to last for 100 years and not waste precious resources building temporary buildings that barely last 10 years before they have to be renovated.
Our building ancestors would laugh in our faces if they were to see the crap we build today.