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Q: I'm planning to reroof an expanded Cape Cod on a barrier island off the East Coast, where strong winds and moisture from the ocean are common.
Get faster dry-in and a tighter building envelope without housewrap.
Well-thought-out details make energy-efficient houses both attractive and affordable.
The crawlspace of a home was consistently wet — in spite of the 6-mil poly liner. Here's how a builder fixed it to assure long-term durability of the foundation and floor frame.
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It's good insurance against problems caused by wind-driven rain, but experts wonder whether the additional cost is necessary.
Self-adhesive wrap applied to below-grade section is designed to preventag rot.
Drywood Products.
Providing a structural sheathing with a laminated ice and water barrier, Drywood roof and wall panels eliminate the need for felt paper, ice and water shield, and an air infiltration barrier, says the firm. A seam tape provides moisture resistance at abutting edges, valleys...
A lot can go wrong with a two-part plastic insulation that is essentially manufactured on the job site as it’s being applied. Here’s what to look out for.
Q: I am about to start a basement remodel project in a cold climate. I plan to apply a waterproofing product to the inside of the basement wall, then stick a sheet of polyethylene directly to the basement wall over the waterproof coating. Once that is in place, I'll frame a 2x4 wood-frame wall on...
Improved materials and hybrid systems make it easier to build energy-efficient houses.
Cosella-Dörken’s three-ply Delta Footing Barrier keeps groundwater out of walls by providing a waterproof break between a building’s footing and its foundation
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Q. While preparing for an extensive remodeling project, we discovered that the housewrap was installed underneath the exterior 7/16-inch plywood rather than on top. According to the scope of work, we are supposed to install 1/2-inch foam board with taped seams over the entire exterior. Will the...
Tramex's MRH III noninvasive moisture meter measures the moisture content of most building materials, including wood, concrete, masonry, plaster, and drywall.
Can replacement windows live up to energy claims?; keeping basements dry; Florida prepares for global warming; more
Closed-cell polyurethane provides a vapor barrier and good R-value in a single application.
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Q: Are the new trowel-applied membranes used for waterproofing showers as good as sheet membranes? Are some better than others?
Assessing the moisture content and surface condition of the slab was the critical first step.
Adding rigid foam to the outside of the shell dramatically increases R-value while reducing thermal conduction.
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Q: Can moisture condense on the back of a prefinished hardwood floor above an uninsulated crawlspace and cause cupping? The flooring was installed over 15-pound asphalt felt and an OSB subfloor; poly covers the ground underneath the dry and ventilated crawlspace of the 2-year-old home.
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Q. I'm rehabbing an old brick house in Charleston, W.V. I want to insulate the exterior walls, which are balloon-framed with 2x4s, unsheathed, and finished with brick. There's a 1- to 2-inch air space between the 11/2-story-high frame wall and the brick siding, and a weep system at the base of the...