Energy-Detail
Dilemmas
by Gordon F. Tully
The other day I found myself, my
favorite builder and a friendly client
talking about energy efficient
construction:
Architect: I'm going off the deep end
trying to decide how to detail the
walls of a house I'm designing. Every
time I do a house, it's different,
nothing seems to work every time,
and I'm scared stiff I will do
something disastrous.
Builder: Got any ideas for this time?
Architect: I have ideas coming out of
my ears, but I'm not sure of
anything. First of all, if the occupant
keeps the relative humidity down,
and you seal up the building pretty
well, it appears you don't need a
vapor barrier, or retarder or whatever
the heck