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

The New EPA rules require the use and disposal of 6 mil plastic in all lead safe projects. The simple preparation of an average sized bedroom could use a minimum of 12 yards of plastic, the paint and prep of a 2000 square foot single family ranch could use well over 200 yards of plastic on the floors alone, plastic will also be required for doorways, windows, immovable furniture, if the exterior is also painted add an additional 300 yards. 500 yards of plastic not including plastic covering, doors, windows and vents.

Hi all,

We need to make a decision about chimney cap design, soon. In the region there seem to be two main designs. More than the looks I wonder about the efficiency:
1) a simple triangular finish, with two flat pieces of terracotta making a triangle (as if you had put two playing cards to make a tent), that sits on the square base of the chimney that sits on the roof.

2) or a square/rectangular base which finishes with single bricks standing on their narrow ends on each corner of this with a flat piece of stone on top (like a little table that sits on the chimney).

I recently purchased a vacant lot in Charlotte, NC that has good southern exposure. I am researching architects and builders that have experience with passive solar homes. I'm not finding many local people with a portfolio of existing jobs. My wife and I want to look at the professional's previous work to help us determine competence in passive solar techniques and to help determine whether our aesthetic visions are compatible. Ideally, I think it would be best for logistics and communications to find a local expert. Can anyone recommend some Charlotte-based people?

Hi again. You may recall that I live in Baltimore, Maryland, and am planning an addition to my home. I live in a brick masonry 2 wythe load bearing house built in 1938. I see this also as an opportunity to retrofit my house, that would keep the house as an integrated system. In have been thinking about doing a "chainsaw retrofit"/PERSIST, except there is no chainsaw because my existing roof has no overhang or soffit, with only gable end window ventilation.