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0 Answers

What product is great for daily use on shower walls that are Ceramic tile to reduce soap scum build up and mildew?

Is there a product that is safe to use on ceramic tile on the walls in the shower on a daily basis after taking showers?

Asked By Theresa Thompson | May 18 13

8 Answers

How green is my cloud?

I can't verify, but I read sometime recently that there's less embodied energy in buying a CD than in storing it on-line. Which got me to thinking about these monster servers that must be sprouting like mushrooms. I have a vision of us all living in lovely net zero homes, served by our own individual off-site servers consuming a Fukushima's worth of juice.

No real question. Just wanted to share my cheerful thought before the weekend.

Asked By Dan Kolbert | May 17 13

0 Answers

Detailing stoop slab: concrete to wood

I am building a new house which will be clad in full-thickness natural stone veneer. A stoop slab just outside the front door will be poured on top of a cold room that's part of the foundation.

My concrete contractor, of course, wants to pour the slab right against the rim joist. That's not going to happen. But what SHOULD happen?

With the masonry veneer, the wall above includes a 1" air space--should I have the guy leave the 1" also between the slab and the rim? How would I ensure proper water drainage out of that space?

Asked By Andy Chappell-Dick | May 18 13

27 Answers

I have narrowed my search for fiberglass triple-glazed windows to Fibertec and Thermotech — seeking comments about these two

I am building an Energy Star certified home with fiberglass, triple glazed, low e casement windows and slider/patio doors in Connecticut. I prefer using a Canadian company because of their expertise with fiberglass, triple glazed windows and sliders. I must have window specifications for the Energy Star certification, preferably NFRC ratings or at least independent U, SHGC and VT value ratings. Window ratings do not seem to be diificult to acquire but slider/patio door ratings can not be provided by some manufactures for fiberglass triple glazed sliders and French doors.

Asked By JOSEPH POLAND | Jan 15 13

9 Answers

Smart vapor retarder (ie: MemBrain) installation details

I'm currently in the final estimation phase of my upcoming new build and we're coming in a little tight - so every little bit needs to be justified.

Asked By Mike Goulet | May 15 13

19 Answers

Soundproofing Bedrooms

What's the general consensus for economically soundproofing bedrooms for guests/family comfort during normal daily life? I'm aware of using more than one layer of drywall, and would like to avoid this option.

Any ideas?

Thanks in advance for your advise,

Robert

Asked By Robert Car | Oct 15 10

3 Answers

Quickly listing neighborhood amenities by LEED category

I am working on several LEED for Homes Midrise projects which are pursuing points under LL5 Community Resources. LEED outlines several categories of resources, like:

Arts and entertainment center, Bank, Community or civic center, Convenience store, Daycare center, Fire station, etc.

Asked By Kris Knutson | May 17 13

5 Answers

Say you want a door but you also want to use it for solar gain. Is there a type of door style/material/size thats best?

I can't seem to get values for doors from manufacturers or when I do, the SHGC drops precipitously once you put the glazing in the door, e.g., Sungate 500 SHGC drops from .6 to less than .4 when put in a swinging fiberglass patio door. Of course glass size is limited to about 2 ft width, although the length is long. How I get what I need in SHGC in a south facing door. Do I change door style, size of door/glass, material, glazing brand, ? etc. Thanks

Asked By Lisa Young | May 16 13

3 Answers

Some help with estimation of wall assembly cost?

We are in the process of designing a passive house and are working with PH certified architect/consultant. But for now, builder's knowledge would be needed: a back of the envelope calculation for the cost /sf of this kind of wall assembly: fiber cement board w/ rain screen, fiber board, dense packed cellulose, OSB, dense packed cellulose, drywall. The wood framing will most likely be w/Larson trusses. The R-value we are trying to achieve is around 40. The house is a duplex with gross sf area of ~4500. Would be good to know the material & labor separately. Why do I need it?

Asked By Lucyna de Barbaro | May 16 13

2 Answers

Sealing a dry sump

My basement is fairly dry and well above the local water table
and hasn't had any water ingress over any of the major storm
events we've had, and has never had a sump pump. So I don't
really care about storm water; what worries me is the potential
for internal plumbing leaks as there's no way for the basement
to drain until it basically fills all the way up. So I'm
thinking of putting in a sump pump but into a small well that
*doesn't* connect to whatever gravel/earth/whatever is underneath
the slab -- it would be connected to the slab and sealed in and

Asked By Hobbit _ | May 16 13

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