In every issue you'll find...

Expert insights on techniques and principles
Unbiased tool reviews
Step-by-step details to master the job
Field-tested advice and know-how

Join
Log In

Joseph Lstiburek

Joseph Lstiburek, Ph.D., P.Eng., is a principal of Building Science Corp., a frequent contributor to Fine Homebuilding, and a member of the advisory team of Green Building Advisor. A forensic engineer who investigates building failures and is internationally recognized as an authority on moisture-related building problems and indoor-air quality, Joe is an ASHRAE fellow and a member of ASTM. When Joe is not investigating building failures, he is either designing buildings or skiing.

Insulating an Uninsulated Block-Wall Home

Two years ago I purchased a small home near Toledo, Ohio. It was constructed by the owner in the mid 1950s using cinder blocks, and the interior walls are lath…
Encapsulating framing in spray foam

Q: I recently had the underside of my roof deck insulated with closed-cell polyurethane foam. In order to meet code here in northern Canada, the crew needed to install 4 in.…
Foam Shrinks, and Other Lessons

What we learned from updating a 16-year-old deep-energy retrofit.
A Crash Course in Roof Venting

Building scientist Joseph Lstiburek explains when to vent your roof, when not to, and how to execute each common roof-venting approach successfully.
The Mold Explosion: Why Now?

Today's houses make it easier for mold to thrive. The cure is quick cleanup and smarter choices in materials.
Drying a soggy ceiling

Q: Because my washing machine is on the second floor, it sits in a galvanized pan connected to a drain. But the other day, the discharge hose broke, spraying water…
The Future of Framing Is Here

Smarter strategies can save money, speed construction, improve energy efficiency, and cut down on job-site waste.
Built Wrong From the Start

Top 10 blunders that rot your house, waste your money, and make you sick.