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

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4 Answers
Insulating 1950's Tectum roof from exterior - Air barrier ?

I have a house built in 1957 that was originally a summer place on a lake. Climate zone 5, just outside of Chicago, IL. Roof is a timber (3.5"x5") frame at 32" o.c. with what appears to be Tectum I, 2" thick structural roof deck panels (2'x8' long). Current roof assembly yields me a whopping R3.5, which naturally means ice dam-nation every winter as we melt everything that lands on our roof. Apparently all previous owners did not care or did not know how to remedy.

In Energy efficiency and durability | Asked By Scott Grobarek | Feb 28 14
2 Answers
Choice of rigid exterior roof insulation

The February 2014 issue of the Journal of Light Construction has an article starting on page 41 titled "Insulating Cathedral Ceilings." On page 46, the second paragraph under "Rigid Foam Above Sheathing," there first is mention of polyisocyanurate and XPS rigid board as options for this purpose.

In General questions | Asked By Dick Russell | Mar 1 14
1 Answer
Air Tight

I know the answer to my question has probably been asked before but I cannot seem to find it on hear. Anyways a 2x6 wall. Plywood on both sides, sealed cavity. I plan to seal the inner wall with gaskets from Conservation Tec. Do I need to seal the outside sheeting, by that I mean do I need gaskets under the sheeting hear as well or just the inside.

Paul

In Energy efficiency and durability | Asked By Paul Fowler | Mar 4 14
2 Answers
The Breathing Window

Anyone familiar with/comment on the Breathing Window? Is it on the market?

Here is what they say:

"...the Breathing Window reduces ventilation running and heat-loss costs by 10kWh/m2.annum..."
This means comparative costs with other models and types of HRV's.

" 95% lower running costs than always on ducted HRV.
50% lower ventilation heat losses than ducted HRV, only occupied areas are ventilated.
4 year payback compared with 40 years for a ducted system.

http://www.viking-house.ie/fine-wire-hrv.html

.

In General questions | Asked By fitch plate | Mar 3 14
0 Answers
Recommendations for a quality, low-U, high-SHGC sliding or tilt-and-slide door?

I've found some great info on this site as usual; here is one example: http://www.greenbuildingadvisor.com/blogs/dept/musings/all-about-glazing...

I'd prefer fiberglass but am also considering a uPVC frame. Does anyone have experience with a tilt and slide door in terms of durability?
Thanks

In Green products and materials | Asked By Brent Mellen | Mar 3 14
3 Answers
Proper flashing placement?

My foundation sticks out past a wood framed wall, osb with taped seams, housewrap taped seams, 4" of polyfoam, lower 12" of wall has self stick membrane that completely covers foundation. I am getting ready to put up strapping and wood siding but noticed there is no flashing at bottom of wall. do I have to remove the foam and flash the entire wall to edge of foundation or can I put the flashing between foam and strapping, using sealer and tape on the foam to flashing edge .the distance from wall to edge of foundation is approx. 8", so even with foam and siding I still have approx.

In General questions | Asked By darren williams | Mar 3 14
11 Answers
Need help reducing energy costs

I have a ranch home in climate zone 5a (Northern NJ). It's a ranch, with a partially finished attic, approximately 1600sqft. Primary heat source is propane via hot water baseboard, with a gas insert fireplace, and electric baseboard in the attic. This is my first year in the house, so I don't have historical data, but this year we've been averaging approximately 300 gallons of propane use per 5-6 weeks, which is quite expensive!.

In General questions | Asked By Eric Barker | Feb 26 14
3 Answers
Correct all-year-round ventilation for basement (bedroom, kitchenette, bath, laundry) in cold climates (Zone 5)

- I live in Worcester County in Massachusetts (Zone 5)
- The basement comprises of a finshed section that is an open area which serves as a bedroom for my mother-in-law, and an unfinished section that is the laundry room and storage (Total basement size is 930 sqft). See attached document for floor plan and ventilation plan.
- We are adding a bathroom and kitchenette by taking a bit of each section

In Green building techniques | Asked By George O | Mar 3 14
5 Answers
Should we buy products from China?

ABC did a news piece on the pollution in China. I have thought of this before but it is fresh in the news.

China makes cheap solar panels, but how much of that has to do with the lack of environmental regulations? If we care about the environment, should we buy products that just ship the environmental impact to a foreign land?

In General questions | Asked By Robert Hronek | Feb 26 14
3 Answers
Insulating an older masonry building inside above grade and below

This building is located in the upper peninsula of Michigan. It is a church of about 40 people, with limited resourses. It has been heated with an oil furnace since it was built in 1955. The furnace has failed this winter, and they want to switch to propane. Our church is in the lower part of Michigan and our men's group is willing to go up and do the work of insulating and drywalling the interior walls of this building, with all labor donated.

In General questions | Asked By Darwin Thompson | Mar 2 14
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