The complete source for building, designing, and remodeling green homes
It’s Not That Hard
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A Closer Look at Concrete
Concrete is the most common building material in the world. We produce billions of tons a year, but at a huge environmental cost. The quarrying and processing necessary to produce…
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What Does Green Living Even Mean?
This week, I’m not writing about building techniques or science. Instead, I’m being self-indulgent. But I hope it spurs readers to think about what green living really means. I came…
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Using Disaster to Your Advantage
Last Tuesday, Tropical Storm Isaias blew through Connecticut. It was an interesting afternoon–we didn’t get much rain, but as I worked in the shop, I heard the 70 mph winds…
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What Sweating, Beer, and Air Conditioning Have in Common
There’s a meme on social media that describes New England as having 12 seasons: Winter, Fool’s Spring, Second Winter, Spring of Deception, Third Winter, The Pollening, Actual Spring, Summer, Hell’s Front Porch, False Fall, Second Summer, and Actual Fall. As…
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“Water in Buildings”
Despite the efficiency of Google, I still seek information from books. Even if I’m only looking for one specific bit of knowledge, reading the whole book frequently teaches me things…
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Learning from Old Barns
Last night, I began reading American Barns and Covered Bridges by Eric Sloane. In the author’s note, he talks about the unique qualities of early American architecture, particularly northeastern American…
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How Much Difference Does a Little Insulation Make?
I try to avoid working on weekends, but this past Sunday I found myself helping to install a $5000 TV on the wall of a $1.8 million house. The home…
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Building Science Basics: Hot Air Rises
Last week provided an object lesson in the stack effect, which is what building science nerds call it when warm air inside a building rises. Part of the ongoing barn project…
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How Do You Estimate What You’ve Never Done Before?
In January, 2019, I started work as a lead carpenter at HVP Corp. The crew all seemed top-notch, but I was a little concerned about the other lead carpenter, Ian…
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Can We Make Green DIY Easier?
I don’t feel old. Well, not mentally at least. But it recently hit me that I read the first issue of Fine Homebuilding, whose legacy GBA belongs to, in 1981.…
