Take pains to seal all possible leaks, then run a blower-door test before insulating. More
Advanced framing and exterior foam reduce conductive heat loss and provide good air-sealing opportunities. More
Adding rigid foam to the outside of the shell dramatically increases R-value while... More
How a New England contractor replaced a deteriorating log exterior with a new,... More
Today’s builders are learning to mitigate thermal bridging by using alternative... More
There’s more than one way to build a highly insulated, air-tight house—or to tighten up and super-insulate an existing home. Here’s a look at an evolving array of superinsulated details that don’t use spray foam. More
Choosing insulation for a high-performance home in Northern Vermont requires... More
Working around existing attic insulation to seal air leaks may be more cost-effective than removing and replacing it More
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 inside to the outside wall surface. But recently I have taken pains to do a very good air-sealing job on everything I build, whether it's an addition or a new house. I'm getting blower-door readings of less than 1.5 air changes per hour at 50 pascals. I also use baffles at the eaves, and seal the sheathing to the framing before insulating. Under these conditions - with air movement cut to a minimum - will fiberglass insulation perform at its stated R-value? More
