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5 Answers
Insulation method

Hi,
I am building a new home and looking for the best way to insulate. I think the spray foam is the best but also the most expensive.

My builder is researching a new foundation water proof system called Enviro-Dri. Does anyone have any experience with that, or do you have another method you like better?

Thanks.

Asked By lisa lockwood | May 20 13
2 Answers
Tax credits or incentives - Federal or state?

Hi, getting ready to build and it seams like there ought to be some substantial tax credits or incentives for building a super insulated and energy efficient home...can't find any though...am I looking in the wrong places or are there really no incentives for new construction being done right? Location: Idaho.

Thanks!

Asked By Eric Mikkelsen | May 21 13
4 Answers
Does anyone have experience with the Dow Powerhouse Solar Shingle?

Can the Dow Powerhouse Solar Shingle be safely installed on an unvented cathedral ceiling/roof which is insulated below the deck with impermeable closed cell insulation. will this Dow system trap moisture and condensation below it? What about the Certainteed Solar system which is installed directly on the roofing deck? For solar PV systems with modules raised off the roofing deck, what is the long term effect of shading, moisture and fungus on these shingles? Do these shingles below the raised solar PV module have to be replaced before the life expectancy of the solar PV system?

Asked By JOSEPH POLAND | May 19 13
3 Answers
Insulating or NOT insulating the basement slab

I previously had asked about the potential of constructing a rudimentary geothermal basement by purposefully NOT insulating the masonry walls of a basement. Martin pointed out that the ground temps in NY/NJ/CT in winter at the surface are freezing and not until something like 48 inches are they above freezing, say around 40 to 45 degrees? Thus making it clear the walls should be insulated. But what about the the floor slab? Assuming a depth of say 9 feet at the slab's underside, would this not be a constant 55 degrees or so? Thus be warming in winter and cooling in summer?

Asked By Sal Lombardo | May 20 13
53 Answers
Why haven't steel-framed homes become more popular?

I am in the planning phase of building a home in the NJ-NY area, Climate zone 5. As I investigate my options; SIPS, double wall stick 2x4 wood, 2x6 wood, ICFs, CMU, Larsen trusses, etc.. and the myriad of permutations to insulate each one (spray foam, cellulose, hybrid batt & flash, exterior rigid foam/iso panels, etc....) I came across STEEL. My goal is as high R-value as I can get within reason $$, with hope of upwards of R-30 final values. That said, I need some objective input.

Asked By Sal Lombardo | Dec 27 12
4 Answers
Does earth coupling work?

I've purchased a city lot in Tucson, AZ and plan to build a tight, well insulated home on a concrete slab-on-grade within the next few years. It's a hot, dry climate with 1578 HDD, 3017 CDD, so obviously keeping the house cool is the big concern.

Asked By Michael McNulty | May 20 13
4 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
19 Answers
Experiences with grey-water and composting toilets?

Grey-water toilets: The Aqus toilet system (http://www.watersavertech.com/AQUS-Diagram.html)seems like the most popular (only?) grey-water toilet available. I really don't like the fact that it installs with a purification system and electric pump. Does anyone know of a model that does not have these features?

Asked By Lucas Durand | Oct 20 10
11 Answers
Best/cheapest insulation method for flat roofs in new construction?

I am an architect in Atlanta, GA (climate zone 3) mostly designing modern/contemporary homes that typically have flat roofs. There seems to be a lot of conflicting information and opinions out there as to the best way to insulate these types of roofs. Typical construction would be 12" deep ceiling/roof I-joists or 2x4 open-web trusses with flat OSB decking above. The most common potential options (all unvented scenarios)are:

Asked By Scott West | May 11 13
9 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
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