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4 Answers
Nailbase SIP vs. rigid foam retrofit cost?

Posed question before about doing 4" of rigid foam on sheathing of 2X4 walls. Been reading and am interested in possibility of nailbase SIPs from company like Premier SIPs. These sound like wonderful products (I'm a big fan of SIP construction).

Asked By Matt Tackett | Jun 1 13
2 Answers
Would like comments comparing 5-ply waterproof plywood with Huber ZIP wall and roof sheathing

I will be building a U.S. EPA Energy Star to be certified home, (24'x40'), and am trying to decide upon the best sheathing for the walls and roof.

The proposed configuration for these two are:

1. Walls (2x6, 16" OC): vinyl siding, mesh rain screen, 3/4" foil faced polyisocyanate rigid foam (taped), either 5/8" 5-ply waterproof plywood or 5/8" Huber ZIP sheathing (both taped), 3 1/2 - 4" closed-cell spray foam, remainder of 2x6 cavity with open cell spray foam, sheetrock.

Asked By JOSEPH POLAND | Jun 1 13
1 Answer
Mixed/Hot/Humid Climate .... a Video of Interest

Kudos to Matt Risinger ....an excellent video
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g1Fx1iubGtQ

Asked By John Brooks | Jun 1 13
2 Answers
Cost-effective flooring over slab?

Our in-laws have an slab foundation and wood flooring mostly -- but not in the entryway -- leaving a 1 3/4" elevation difference. To make it more wheelchair accessible, we would like raise the entryway floor elevation to more closely match the wood floor.

Asked By Patrick Walshe | Jun 1 13
7 Answers
Attic ventilation question for Joe

I have an area above my detached garage that I am trying to finish off into an apartment. I am looking to get some input on the best way to go about venting the attic. The problem I am having is that on one side of the building the roof has a fairly steep pitch (45 degrees), and is used as the interior wall up to the ceiling height at which point it opens up to an attic. My current plan is to use furring strips and 1/4" plywood to make 2" deep vents under the roof. I was then planning to fill in the rafters under this with R21 cotton batt insulation.

Asked By Mark Schuster | May 30 13
1 Answer
Root cellar construction advice -- concrete additive?

Hello! This summer we are building a greenhouse addition with an underground root cellar attached. In one of the root cellar books I read, they recommend Everdure Caltite as an additive in concrete to make the foundation waterproof. What are your recommendations?

Asked By Leah Marshquist | May 31 13
5 Answers
Any problems associated with having 1/2" plywood for engineered stone on top of 1X4 furring strips/foam?

Currently have 2X4 stud wall with cedar siding on OSB/plywood in zone 4A. Planned to remove cedar lap siding, wrap house sheathing. Install 4" rigid foam. Use either 1X4 furring strips over properly sealed foam or 3/4" thick furring strips cut from treated plywood. Then install treated 1/2" plywood for lath and scratch coat, then installing engineered stone. And sealing stone/mortar.

Asked By Matt Tackett | May 31 13
13 Answers
Insulated Basement Slab Vapor Barrier Retrofit

I have insulated my basement slab with 1" expanded foam board with floating 3/4" T&G OSB biscuit joined on the ends according to the Mixed Humid Builders Guide. The walls have 2" expanded foam board. Expanded foam was chosen to allow drying to the interior. 6 months later the subfloor started cupping at the seams. Afterwards I figured out that a vapor barrier wasn't installed under the slab when the house was built, which would explain my problems.

I have been thinking about my options and have come up with 2 that I think will work.

Asked By Andrew Eckert | May 28 13
7 Answers
In search of the elusive "perfect wall" assembly

Building in climate zone 5, have read extensively on the different wall assemblies to maximize value and thermal performance. To start, the "perfect wall" would fulfill certain criteria;
- designed to allow correct "drying potential"
- would not contain mold fodder or substrate for decay organisms
- Good air and thermal performance (within reasonable cost)
- Good structural integrity and expected lifespan
- Local work force can be trusted to get it done easily
To fulfill the above I explored steel, masonry, wood stick framing, ICF etc.....

Asked By Sal Lombardo | May 29 13
5 Answers
Where should I put the foam in this roof?

Zone 4 marine. I'm pondering insulation strategies for cathedral ceilings.

In the past we have used typical cardboard baffles and either batts or blown in FG. Recently we did a small project where we cut and fit 2" polyiso for the baffles, with the usual 1" vent space above and foamed the edges, my theory being that this will reduce wind-washing of the fiber insulation and improve air-leakage performance. We also did one with 6" of solid polyiso where there was only 2x8 rafter space available.

Asked By David Meiland | May 22 13
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