Q&A: A Forum for Green Building Experts and Beginners

[Click map to enlarge]

drawing of climate zone map.gif

Advice can depend on climate -- Please specify in your question.

Please register for a free account or sign in to ask and answer green building questions.

The usual rules of courtesy apply:
1. Be nice.
2. If you can't be nice, be polite.
3. If you can't be nice or polite — well, please be brief.

To attach a photo or illustration:
Under the box labeled "More explanation," look for the words "File attachments."
Click that, and you should be able to attach a photo.

Thanks for joining the conversation!

Ask a Question >
3 Answers
Foundation waterproofing

My contractor wants to use Watchdog waterproofing (asphalt emulsion waterproofing product) for a new cement foundation. I have chemical sensitivities. Should I avoid this product? Are there any alternatives?

In Green products and materials | Asked By Arlene DiMarino | Jul 26 10
10 Answers
Divided by an Ocean

I will leave this parting thought behind, as my week long sojourn fades away. Back to the day job on Monday - but its been fun mingling amongst the folks at Green Building Advisor.

In Project management | Asked By Brian O' Hanlon | Jul 24 10
3 Answers
What can be done with the cured foam that is cut away to form straight lines between studs or rafters?

What can be done with the cured foam that is cut away to form straight lines between studs or rafters?

I have 30 contractor bags of the leftover materials.

In Green products and materials | Asked By Kevin Wagner | Jul 24 10
29 Answers
Vapor Flow in Light Frame Construction

I would like to hear comments from Scientists and "Others"
I am an Other, an Architect...not a Scientist
I am very interested in designing Low Energy Homes.
I am fascinated with Passivhaus and European Construction.

I have noticed the "Euros" usually do not use foam (spray, sheets or blocks)
They tend NOT to use membranes, peel and stick etc.
Here is an example wall mock up.
http://live.pege.org/2006-building-salzburg/passive-house-wall.htm

The most common type wall has an OSB type air barrier on the interior side of the structural wall

In Energy efficiency and durability | Asked By John Brooks | Dec 27 09
0 Answers
fire-rated windows and efficiency

Hi,
We'd like two new (piano) windows in a house very close to the neighbour's, and the city says they need to be fire-rated (3/4 hour). We've been told by a window supplier that a fire-rated window cannot be energy-efficient. Is this true? If so, what are our options if we want natural light without creating a massive heat sink?
Would a certain kind of glass block be a viable alternative (we don't need the view of the neighbour's wall), and what would be the comparative rough cost (of either an efficient fire-rated window or glass block)?
Thanks.
B.M, Toronto

In Green products and materials | Asked By Brian Milani | Jul 24 10
0 Answers
Sentivity Analysis

I haven't yet seen a sensitivity analysis performed for passive solar heating in the north American designs. Mark Siddall wrote in response to article by Martin Holladay, on the subject of Passivhaus Windows:

NOTE: Value engineering may suggest in some climates / economic conditions (such as those in the UK) that it is more cost effective to specify a better glazing U-value. The result being that the requirements for the opaque building fabric becomes less onerous.

In PassivHaus | Asked By Brian O' Hanlon | Jul 23 10
1 Answer
Ventilating An Underground Chamber

Given the following:

1. Location of the underground chamber is in a humid tropical location.

2. Facility is off-the-grid.

3. Chamber size is 20' x 30' x 10' (height = 10' ).

4. Sources of electricity are roof-mounted solar panels.

5. Chambers meant to shelter 6 people.

How will be the essentials of a design for a good ventilation system be like for such a facility?

In GBA Pro help | Asked By Boniface Willy | Jul 23 10
8 Answers
Why are my wood floors cupping?

My new hickory solid wood floors are beginning to cup as soon it got hot and humid outside. I live in Southeast, LA and the house has a 3' crawl space under it. I tried to research the proper insulation to use and I went with a sprayed open cell foam under the subfloor. I have tar paper between the floor and subfloor and I did have the floors adjusted to the home air conditions prior to installing it. I also verified that I had proper expansion room around the floor edges.

In General questions | Asked By Kevin | Jul 22 10
3 Answers
Insulated basement and floor drain to daylight?

I'm building a new super insulated very tight home in upstate NY. I have 6" of rigid insulation under the slab and 9" of insulation inside the basement wall. We're building on a steep hill. The basement has a floor drain that will drain to daylight. My concern is unwanted ventilation through the floor drain if the water trap evaporates. Are there other options I should be considering?

In Energy efficiency and durability | Asked By Larry | Jul 21 10
24 Answers
Triple glazing worth it?

New double wall house, western Massachusetts - climate zone 5.

I am ordering Marvin Ultimate Clad windows; a combination of casement, double hung and sliders. The south side of the house are specified as double glazed and glass doors are not available triple glazed. This leaves 7 out of 23 openings double versus triple glazed.

Is it worth the extra $4,800 (12% of total window and exterior door costs) for triple glazed on the balance of windows?

In Green products and materials | Asked By Jon Wyman | Jul 12 10
Register for a free account and join the conversation


Get a free account and join the conversation!
Become a GBA PRO!