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

Energy-Smart Details

Building or remodeling a home to be more energy efficient than the average home doesn’t necessarily have to cost more money, but it does take careful planning and smart construction details. Browse through this collection of articles to get a better understanding of what makes high-performance homes work.

Insulating a slab on grade foundation

Depending on your location, you may need rigid foam insulation under and around the edges of the slab
Radon-mitigation systems

Radon is a naturally occurring gas that is present in all soils. Because prolonged exposure to elevated levels of radon is linked to a greater risk of developing lung cancer,…
A Practical Air-Sealing Sequence

In this "Energy-Smart Details" article, designer Andrew Webster shares his firm's details for air-sealing a conventionally framed house with 2x6 walls and a truss roof. The air barrier is the…
Insulating Attic Stairs

Attic stairs present air-sealing and insulation problems, and a tight cap for pull-down stairs is hard to build. The weatherstripping details can be tough to execute, and the necessary weight…
Insulated Skylight Shaft

If you install a skylight in a roof over an attic, you'll need to build a shaft to connect the skylight with the ceiling below. In this "Energy Smart Details"…
How to Insulate your Rim Joists

Use spray foam or rigid foam to insulate and air-seal this commonly ignored part of the house
Hot-water circulation loops

Depending on your water heater's location in your house relative to the faucet you are standing at, you might have a long wait for hot water to arrive. In this…
Hiding ducts in conditioned space

Ducts, furnaces, and air handlers belong inside a house's conditioned space
Windows in Double-Stud Walls: In-Betweenies

When building with double-stud walls to maximize energy efficiency, locating windows can be a challenge. Traditionally, windows either lie flat on the exterior sheathing ("outies") or are installed closer to…
Two Ways to Insulate Attic Kneewalls

Kneewalls are commonly found in attics, especially in attics that have been converted to living space, but they can be difficult to insulate properly. In this "Energy-Smart Details" article, senior…