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9 Answers
Insulation with ZIP walls

I am having a new home built in MA. The exterior walls are the ZIP wall system which provides air sealing at the exterior. I have 2x6 interior wall studs. I was planning to use rigid polyiso foam for insulation getting me to ~R27+ @ 4.5 inches. Now I discovered that the polyiso insulation has foil facing. Can I use this product layered in the walls safely without causing a potential moisture problem? Can I face the foil to the exterior to repel summer heat and to the interior to help retain winter heating within the house.

Asked By ron dennis | Jun 17 11
1 Answer
More detail regarding ZIP wall insulation question

Hello everyone...

First, thank you for your responses... I have been out all day since I posted my above question.

Asked By ron dennis | Jun 17 11
33 Answers
How do I insulate my cathedral ceiling?

I have a beach house in NH, 24 x 36 with 2-ft. overhangs. The entire house is cathredraled using 6 pitch 4x6 trusses and sheathed with 1x8 T&G boards. Each roof side is 15' x 44'.

There is no insulation except for 1/2-inch Homosote sheets between the trusses which are stuccoed over. The roofing is relatively new (5 yrs). So I would balk at tearing it off.

Cost is a big factor here. We don't have a lot of money. I have no problem putting a new ceiling on the inside but I need a cost-effective way of insulating the 4-ft. bays. Any help would be appreciated.

Asked By Michael Buckley | Sep 13 10
1 Answer
Foil backed insulation

I've been unable to locate a R-21 FOILBACKED OR FOILFACED FIBERGLASS BATT insulation product anywhere from all suppliers we do business with. Does anyone know where this insulation might be found. I noticed in a post from another person, he was going to use this type of insulation in his project. I've checked with JM,OC,KNAUF,Certainteed, on their websites, they offer other foilfaced batt insulation but no R-21. Thanks! JS

Asked By Jim Sullivan | Jun 16 11
5 Answers
Renovation/remodel ratings?

After a brief search I'm not finding a rating/verification system that applies standards to remodels or renovations that fall short of the so-called "deep energy retrofits" which, I believe, are eligible for LEED certification. Can you point my way to anything?

Yes, a HERS test is a good functional guide, but I'm wondering if anyone has developed a merit badge like you can plaster on a new home ... once some of the pustulation (cf: James Morgan) and crenellations (cf: Martin Holladay) has been repaired.

As always, thanks in advance.
Joe

Asked By JoeW N GA Zone 3A | Jun 13 11
4 Answers
Do WE add to global warming?

These are probably academic questions; maybe just philosophic, or worse. (1) Do we humans add to global warming just by being here en mass? If we are pumping out 400 btu/hr (except the exercise freaks who pump out 1500-2000/hr when doing their thing), and there are X billion of us, do we add anything significant to the temperatures around us? (2) How about poorly insulated, over-sized houses? This one occurred to me today whilst talking about insulating under a slab with another cat.

Asked By John Klingel | Jun 13 11
3 Answers
HSS post down to footings

I am in Seattle in a moderate climate. In my new home we have an HSS post in a basement that goes down and is bolted to the footings. The HSS post is 20' tall and goes up to the 2nd story floor and above it rests a steel beam that expands the length of the building. There is no thermal break between the footing and the HSS post. So right now when I touch it, it is pretty cold. I'm pretty sure the best thing would have been to put a thermal break between the footing and the HSS post but that was not done and now everything else is in (stego wrap, insulation, rebar).

Asked By Brandon Mullenberg | Jun 11 11
6 Answers
Hardwood floor underlayment options

I recently picked up some hardwood flooring(3/4" x 2 1/4") & noticed that a product called insulayment proports to insulate and act as a air barrier when used under the flooring. Is this a bit of a reach or is this a better option than red rosin or tar paper? I live in Massachusetts.

Asked By john roy | Jun 9 11
8 Answers
Insulation between refrigerator and oven?

Our lake cabin was built with the refrigerator next to the oven. Have read this is not feasible, but no option in changing the positions. What product can I double stick to the side of the refrigerator to protect it from the heat of the oven and burners?

Asked By carol ann Wetherby | Jun 7 11
8 Answers
Having new 30yr architectural shingles in multi-level roofs in my home. Terrible noxious odor comes in house.

Noxious odor comes in house. Now in the central air conditioning unit as well. Can't open the windows, can't put on the air conditioner. Getting symptoms from this. Had to spend three days in a hotel because of heat wave we had and the inability to cool down house and rid house of noxious fumes.

Contacted GAF (company that manufactures the shingles). They say take it up with the contractor and have hime get an HVAC man. Contractor not cooperating.

Can you give me some information as to:

1. the dangers of inhaling these fumes.

2. additional symptoms.

Asked By Pat | Jul 12 10
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