The release of the International Green Construction Code (IGCC) in 2012 marked a significant milestone in the evolution of sustainable building standards across the United States. Developed by the International Code Council, the IGCC represented the first attempt at a unified national framework for green construction practices. While the concept of a national green code […]
Every year, lightning damages thousands of homes across the United States, causing billions of dollars in property damage and posing serious safety risks to homeowners. While the odds of a direct lightning strike on any single home are relatively low, the consequences can be catastrophic when it does happen. From fried electronics and destroyed appliances
Basements have long been a staple of home construction in cold climates, offering valuable square footage below grade that can serve countless purposes. Whether you use yours for storage, a workshop, or a finished living area, understanding how basements work from a construction and building science perspective is essential. A well-built basement starts with informed
Building a home that produces as much energy as it consumes is no small feat, especially in a climate with harsh winters. The homeowners of a newly constructed net-zero house in Rochester, Minnesota set out to prove it could be done. By combining high-performance insulation, triple-pane windows, passive solar design, and a 9.8 kW photovoltaic
The building industry has long been criticized for resisting change, but few areas illustrate innovation better than wall waterproofing. Since the International Code Council adopted water-resistive barriers (WRB) into the International Residential Code, product development has accelerated dramatically. Felt and traditional housewraps are steadily losing ground to integrated panel systems, peel-and-stick membranes, and fluid-applied coatings.
The standoff between homeowners and electric utilities in Hawaii over rooftop solar installations provides a critical precedent for construction professionals nationwide. When the Hawaiian Electric Co. began enforcing a rule on the island of Oahu requiring homeowners to seek utility permission before installing photovoltaic panels, the local solar industry saw permit volumes cut in half
Energy efficiency has become a defining priority for building professionals across the residential and commercial sectors. The data is clear: without smarter energy use, harmful carbon emissions would be 60 percent higher than they are today, and energy use per household has fallen roughly 16 percent between 2005 and 2018. For architects, contractors, and developers,
Electric vehicle adoption has brought a new set of considerations for homeowners, particularly around how and where to recharge. One of the most significant developments in this space has been the emergence of utility-sponsored charging programs that dramatically lower the cost of fueling an EV. In parts of Indiana, for example, Northern Indiana Public Service
Wind energy has emerged as one of the most significant renewable energy sources in the modern power generation landscape. By the end of 2013, the American Wind Energy Association (AWEA) reported that wind projects with a combined capacity exceeding 12,000 megawatts were under construction across the United States, driven largely by technological advancements that lowered
The COVID-19 pandemic fundamentally changed how building professionals think about indoor air quality and disease transmission. While building science has long focused on energy efficiency, moisture management, and thermal comfort, the emergence of airborne pathogens has brought new urgency to understanding how building systems affect human health. The intersection of respiratory viruses, indoor environmental quality,
