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tag: insulation
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Building a radon-resistant home.
1 commentWhat is deadly and might be lurking in your basement? No, not a Ninja (well probably not), in most cases it is Radon. And it is important to know what Radon is and how to ensure it isn't a threat to your household. From building to testing, I will share what I learned about Radon while building my house.
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When Insulation in the Roof Isn't There
2 commentsThe owner of a New Hampshire beach house may have a great view of the ocean, but there's not a shred of insulation in the roof. What now?
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Patrick's Barn: Underslab Insulation
This past weekend we leveled the gravel with a site-built jig and put down a layer of rigid foam.
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Getting the Details Right for an Unvented Roof
The roof is on, and insulation contractors are now advising Ted Storm on how much open-cell foam to spray on the back side of the roof deck. Three contractors suggest the same thing, but is their advice on the right track?
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Insulating an Old House from the Outside
4 commentsA 50-year-old house is about to get an overhaul that will include new sheathing, siding and wall insulation, but the owner is sweating the details
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When Does a Conditioned Attic Make Sense?
An Oklahoma builder who builds relatively large, single-story homes wonders whether his best approach is to turn the attic into a conditioned space with the use of spray polyurethane insulation.
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Air Sealing with Owens Corning's new Energy Complete system
6 commentsI'm a huge believer in Spray Foam for air sealing, but foam will only air seal the cavity that it's sprayed into. Here's where Owens Corning's new Energy Complete has a leg up on Foam. In this video you'll see how their system does an excellent job of air sealing so that their total-fill fiberglass system doesn't have any air flow issues to deal with. -Matt Risinger
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Juniper Inspects Progress on Subslab Insulation
1 commentLike most dogs, Juniper manages to sit or walk on anything that is currently in use or I am attempting to move. Thankfully, she takes long breaks when I can get some stuff done.
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Does It Pay to Use the Most Energy-Efficient Windows?
3 commentsHigh-performance windows aren't cheap, but many experts say the energy savings and increased indoor comfort justify the cost. Is this really the case?
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How to Calculate Savings from Energy Improvements
1 commentIs there a reliable way of estimating lower energy costs, or are there too many variables?
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Will Passivhaus or passive solar be the best fit for this project?
A Pennsylvania homeowner is planning to downsize into a smaller house and looks for a prescription for energy efficiency on a small budget.
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Creating an Urban Oasis: A Green Live-Work Space Blooms on a Gritty City Lot
4 commentsRecycled shipping containers, energy-scrimping details and a sophisticated design sense create a handsome urban compound in a transitional neighborhood.
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Ice Dams, Can Lights, Wet Walls, and Water Damage
23 commentsIt's the time of year that I watch my neighbor across the street pulls out her roof rake and begin raking her roof. Now it you all knew my neighbor, you might think nothing of it. This is the lady...
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Can Open-Cell Foam Waste be Used as Attic Insulation?
3 commentsA homeowner is stuck with "bags and bags" of excess foam after the walls of his house have been sprayed. Can it be broken up into smaller pieces and added to the batt insulation in his attic?
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Radiant Barriers for Exterior Walls
3 commentsYou always hear about radiant barriers for roofs but why not treat your walls the same way? In this video you'll see how we're using a foil facing on our South & West facing unshaded masonry walls.
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Will Double Stud Wall Construction Bring Efficiency at a Modest Cost?
14 commentsAn owner-builder in western Washington State with a strict construction budget wonders how to get the energy efficiency she wants with what she has to spend.
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Bunkhouse in the Woods!
Here is what kept me sane a few years ago! Decided that we needed more space for my kids and their cousins at the shared family cottage. Set out to build a bunkie that would give them a...
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How to Make a 1930s Bungalow Cozy
A bungalow in northern Massachusetts has been renovated twice in the last 10 years but still has a major weakness when it comes to energy efficiency: an uninsulated field stone basement and a furnace and air handler located in an unconditioned attic.
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What's Worse: Air Leaks or Not Enough Insulation
3 commentsAl Cobb's goal is simple: Build better houses and help consumers make better choices. To do that more effectively, he wants to understand the root causes of heat loss a little better. Are air leaks or low insulation levels the real culprit?
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How to Protect and Finish Insulation on an Exterior Foundation Wall
1 commentAdding a layer of rigid-foam insulation to the outside of a poured concrete foundation saves energy, but it raises a key question: What's the best way of protecting and finishing the foam that remains above grade.
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How to Paint Fiber-Cement Siding
Painter Jim Lacey shares some tips for caulking and painting fiber-cement siding. read more
