Retrofitting a home with new siding is a major exterior upgrade, especially when you are replacing tired vinyl with natural cedar board-and-batten. Adding continuous exterior insulation and a rainscreen at the same time dramatically improves the wall assembly’s thermal performance and moisture durability. However, the build-up of insulation, drainage layer, and furring introduces questions about […]
Twenty years ago, few residential builders had heard of a rainscreen. Today, it is increasingly common to see siding installed over vertical furring strips or plastic drainage mats rather than nailed directly to sheathing. A rainscreen is not a single product but a system approach to wall construction that uses a ventilated air gap between
In the world of green building, few certifications carry as much weight as the Living Building Challenge (LBC). Unlike conventional rating systems that simply reduce harm, the LBC demands buildings that actively restore the environment around them. Nowhere is this philosophy better illustrated than in Burh Becc at Beacon Springs Farm, a remarkable residential project
When building a new home in a cold climate, one of the most consequential decisions you will face is how to heat and cool the living space. Homeowners in regions such as southern Maine, which falls within Climate Zone 6, must contend with long, harsh winters and humid summers that demand both reliable heating and
The decision to insulate a roof often springs from a noble goal: reduce energy bills, improve comfort, and bring the attic into the home’s conditioned envelope. But when installation shortcuts meet the unforgiving physics of moisture and temperature, the results can be puzzling and frustrating. One homeowner in Rochester, New York, learned this lesson the
Upgrading an older home to improve energy efficiency can feel like an overwhelming financial undertaking. For homeowners with older properties, the wish list of improvements often includes new windows, better insulation, air sealing, upgraded HVAC systems, and more efficient water heaters. The challenge lies in prioritizing these upgrades when the budget does not stretch to
Understanding Modern Wall Assembly Options for High-Performance Buildings Selecting the right wall system is one of the most consequential decisions a builder or designer makes on any project. The wall assembly determines not only the thermal performance of the building envelope but also its durability, moisture management, constructability, and long-term maintenance costs. With the growing
Proper ventilation is one of the most important aspects of a healthy and energy-efficient home. Heat-recovery ventilators (HRVs) and energy-recovery ventilators (ERVs) are the most effective devices for supplying fresh outdoor air while exhausting stale indoor air. However, how you connect these units to your home makes all the difference in performance, energy use, and
Offsite construction has emerged as a transformative approach to delivering high-performance homes that meet rigorous energy efficiency, durability, and sustainability standards. While modular, panelized, and prefab homes have existed for nearly a century, recent advances in building science and manufacturing technology have positioned offsite methods as a practical solution for achieving superior building performance. The
Windows are among the most complex components in a building envelope. They admit daylight, provide views, enable ventilation, and contribute to the aesthetic character of a structure, yet they also represent a significant source of heat loss, solar gain, and potential air leakage. For construction professionals, specifying the right window requires understanding not just what
