Insulation

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  Moistureproof Batt Insulation

  No-itch batts are made from natural stone and slag.

   
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  High-Tech Insulation

  Nanogel material can be mixed with plaster and stucco to improve thermal efficiency.

   
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  TVA-ORNL Project Provides a Window on the Payback of Energy Upgrades

  Study finds that modest upgrades in insualtion and HVAC equipment dramatically reduce energy use in warm, humid climates.

   
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  A Cost-Effective Energy Retrofit (Subscriber content)

  With careful air-sealing and the right insulation details, a leaky older home becomes a tight and thrifty one.

   
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  Air-Sealing and Insulating a High-Performance Shell

  Take pains to seal all possible leaks, then run a blower-door test before insulating.

   
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  Repairing a Rotting Roof

  Reducing indoor humidity was a critical first step.

   
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  Q&A: How Should I Finish an Existing Basement Wall?

  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...

   

• Can Fiberglass Batts Perform Well in Tightly Sealed Houses?

  Q: I understand that fiberglass batt insulation can allow air to move through it and that this air movement degrades the insulation's R-value. Two causes I've heard about are wind-washing at the eaves and convective loops that can start in a wall cavity on really cold days and wick warmth from...

   
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  Building a High-Performance Shell (Subscriber content)

  Advanced framing and exterior foam reduce conductive heat loss and provide good air-sealing opportunities.

   
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  Super-Insulated Slab Foundations (Subscriber content)

  Compacted drainage stone and a thick layer of foam prevent frost damage and keep the heat inside the building.

   
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  Built-Out Trim for Exterior Foam (Subscriber content)

  PVC trim provided the depth needed to accommodate an inch of insulation board.

   
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  What's New in Insulation? (Subscriber content)

  Improved materials and hybrid systems make it easier to build energy-efficient houses.

   
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  An Ice Dam Analyzed (Subscriber content)

  An engineer’s report shows that in snow country, soffit-to-ridge venting is typically the most practical way to prevent ice dams in cathedral ceiling assemblies.

   

• Wrong-Side Housewrap

  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...

   
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  Double Insulated

  Owens Corning’s EnergyComplete System has two components: a latex-based spray foam and blown-in fiberglass insulation.

   
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  Can Mold Give You Headaches? (Subscriber content)

  You bet it can: When it comes to this pervasive fungus, a little can go a long way toward wrecking a job.

   
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  Insulating a Slab With Spray Foam (Subscriber content)

  Closed-cell polyurethane provides a vapor barrier and good R-value in a single application.

   

• Letters

  Coordination between subs; barrier-free showers vs. code; don’t ventilate crawlspace with moist outdoor air; code article misses the boat; more

   
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  Retrofitting Exterior Insulation

  Adding rigid foam to the outside of the shell dramatically increases R-value while reducing thermal conduction.

   

• Dow Structural Insulated Sheathing: A Solution for Coastal Walls?