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Recent Articles
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California Startup to Offer MDF Made from Rice Straw
A California company is nearing completion of a manufacturing plant that soon will be turning out medium-density fiberboard (MDF) made from rice straw instead of wood fiber. CalPlant 1 is…
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The Hidden World of Solar Hardware
Roughly 2400 megawatts of new residential solar was deployed last year, the equivalent of 7.5 million 320-watt modules. That's a big investment. Ever wonder what prevents all those panels from…
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Does This Roof Need More Foam?
A GBA reader named 88Clayton is insulating the attic in his house with spray foam and has run into a problem: the level of insulation recommended by contractors is at…
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Architects’ Group Reports Progress on Carbon-Cutting Goals
Architects participating in a global campaign to transition to carbon-neutral buildings by 2030 are making progress, but efforts so far are falling well short of current targets. That's the word…
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Buyer Interest in a Net-Zero Home Sags in Survey of Architects
A quarterly survey by The American Institute of Architects shows rising interest in solar panels and docking stations for electric vehicles but declining interest over time in the number of…
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What’s the Best Way to Insulate a Basement Slab?
Dave Feldman is building a new house near Boston, Massachusetts, that will have a walkout basement with a tile floor. His goal is to have the floor comfortably warm in…
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Phoenix Gives Net-Zero House Plans to Anyone Who Wants Them
Building a net-zero house in Phoenix, Arizona? The city will be happy to provide you with a full set of plans at no cost. The offer is part of the…
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Energy Department Reverses Light Bulb Standards
Widely used but relatively inefficient light bulbs that were headed for extinction next year have won a reprieve from the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE). First, the department issued a…
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How to Choose a Metal Roof
Metal roofing has a long history in the U.S. but until 20 years ago it was a bit player in residential construction with just a 3.6% share of the reroofing…
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Does This Footing Need a Capillary Break?
As he works out the details for a new house, Jason Huffine has become concerned about the potential for trouble in applying a capillary break between the concrete footing and…
