Q: Builders in cold climates often go beyond code-required attic insulation levels, especially when using a relatively inexpensive material like blown-in cellulose. Is the same approach helpful in cooling climates?
Waterfront property never goes out of style, and everyone likes a spectacular building site perched on high ground.
Well-thought-out details make energy-efficient houses both attractive and affordable.
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Class action suit holds that the "green" project rating system is just a marketing gimmick that harms the interests of non-LEED building performance experts.
An architect shares his plan and process for building a northern Vermont house that produces as much energy as it consumes.
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Massachusetts stretches for higher homeenergy scores; lack of energy-efficiency training impedes job growth; Energy Star tightens requirements for product certification; more
As the owner of a small remodeling and handyman company (nearly $1 million annual sales before the downturn), I’ve always been careful to stay focused on our core offerings — bathrooms, kitchens, basements, and small jobs ranging from two-hour service calls to week-long “honey do” lists.
Energy Performance Monitor
For contractors serious about assessing building performance, Onset has assembled the HOBO Measurement & Verification System.
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Energy Star raises the bar with tough new 2011 specs; asphalt roofing prices defy downturn; Pella scores high; more
Careful diagnostic testing is the key to cost-effective energy upgrades.
Stringent new energy code offers flexibility; company fined for breaking FTC’s R-value rule; Denver’s moratorium on fees pays off; PV-panel prices decline; more
Now is a good time to refine your green strategy in a way that guarantees profit.
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Air-sealing diagnostics; proposal to document illegal immigrants; preventing accidents; more
A close look at current energy codes - and where they're headed.
Staying informed can keep you out of trouble
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Q. I'm building a house that has an attached 24-by-24-foot garage with a master suite above. The owner is concerned about fumes getting into the living spaces next to and above the garage. What's the best way to seal out the fumes?
This APA storm report shows that structural sheathing, metal connectors, and strong garage walls can increase the likelihood that a home will survive all but the most powerful storms.
New remodeler's specialty — repairing meteorite damage
Green may sound simple, but it can be surprisingly difficult to define. An expert in the field explains what green means, and why it matters.
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Q. To turn a small outbuilding into a living space, I plan to pour a slab floor within the existing 4-foot frostwall foundation. How much and what kind of insulation should I use for the foundation, and where should I place it -- under the slab or next to