The complete source for building, designing, and remodeling green homes
Product Guide
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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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What’s the Most Durable Grout?
Back when I was a full-time remodeler (1983 – 1991), one of my older brothers, Izzy, taught me how to lay ceramic tile. I really liked the combination of physical…
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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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USG EcoSmart Gypsum Wallboard
To understand how USG Sheetrock® Brand EcoSmart gypsum wallboard (GWB) has a better environmental footprint than many alternative wall coverings, it helps to know how it is made. The key is two…
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The Promise of AeroBarrier for Air Sealing Homes
AeroBarrier has been in the building news quite a bit lately: GBA - Aeroseal rolls out air sealing technology for houses Fine Homebuilding - New technology improves airtightness Journal of…
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Another Take on Tstuds
Editor's note: This post originally appeared under the headline "Breaking the Thermal Bridge With Tstuds" in Kiley Jacques' Houses by Design blog over at Finehomebuilding.com. Considering all of the discussion…
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Rainscreen Products for Stucco Installations
If you ask too many questions about how to install stucco right, you will eventually hear some discouraging anecdotes of what amounts to a conspiracy—builders knowingly installing stucco poorly to…
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First Look at Tstuds
High-performance exterior walls typically handle thermal bridging at framing members in one of two ways—either the building is wrapped in some thickness of continuous rigid insulation outside of the sheathing…
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The Complicated Role of a Water-Resistive Barrier
As a teenager, I worked for a small general contracting company. In between a lot of grunt work and coffee runs, I learned to do some carpentry. On two jobs,…
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WRB FAQ (That’s Water Resistive Barrier)
Researching building materials is no easy task. Manufacturers often won't answer important questions. What they don't seem to understand is that their marketing messages often don't distinguish them in a…
