Air-Sealing a Remodel: Professional Strategies for a Tighter Building Envelope When remodeling an older home, air-sealing is one of the most cost-effective steps you can take to improve energy performance, indoor comfort, and durability. In a retrofit of a 1950s house, the existing structure has already undergone decades of seasonal movement, settling, and material degradation, […]
Step-by-step instructions for installing a Feeney cable railing system on a screened porch. Covers planning, layout, hardware installation, cable tensioning, and final adjustments for a professional modern railing finish.
Air-Sealing a Bathroom Remodel: Techniques for Energy Efficiency and Fire Safety During Renovation When you open up the walls of a bathroom during a remodel, you gain a rare opportunity to address hidden building-performance issues that would be impossible to fix after the finishes go back on. One of the most impactful upgrades you can
Fireblocking is one of the most critical yet often overlooked aspects of residential construction. When a fire starts, the hidden pathways inside walls, floor cavities, and service penetrations can allow flames and toxic gases to spread rapidly between floors. Proper fireblocking with the right materials is not just a code requirement it is a fundamental
Understanding the Role of Porch Trim in Structural Integrity and Visual Appeal Porch trim is far more than decorative molding arranged around windows and doors. It serves as a critical interface between the structural framing of the porch and the exterior finish, managing water drainage, concealing gaps, and providing visual scale. When properly designed and
Updating interior trim and built-ins is one of the most rewarding phases of any remodeling project. The difference between an amateur installation and one that looks professionally finished often comes down to two things: how well the components sit flush against walls and each other, and how few visible fasteners remain after the work is
Why Historic Buildings Need a Fresh Approach to Painting When a 150-year-old Masonic lodge in downtown Poughkeepsie, New York, began its transformation into a record store and live music venue, the project called for more than just a standard coat of paint. Historic buildings carry unique challenges including aged plaster walls, ornate tin ceilings, elaborate
Why Air-Sealing Windows and Doors Matters for Home Performance Air leakage around windows and doors is one of the largest sources of energy loss in residential construction. Studies from building science organizations estimate that gaps and cracks around fenestration openings can account for 15 to 25 percent of a home’s total heat loss in winter
Stairs and exterior trim take more abuse than almost any other part of a house. Every footstep on a tread, every rainstorm against a door casing, every seasonal temperature swing works to loosen connections. The difference between an installation that lasts thirty years and one that needs rebuilding in five comes down to how well
When it comes to creating an energy-efficient, comfortable home, few areas are as critical yet as commonly overlooked as the rim joist. The rim joist is the perimeter framing member that sits atop the foundation wall, bridging the floor joists and forming the boundary between the conditioned living space and the unconditioned basement below. Without
