Insulating an existing basement slab with spray foam and a thin slab pour? – GreenBuildingAdvisor
I would be interested to hear if anyone has any experience insulating an existing (old) basement slab with spray foam, then topped with a new thin-slab pour (about 1.5″)? In my particular situation, there are some complications that may steer me away from the traditional guidance shown here and on fine homebuilding of rigid foam […]
I am working on a project with an advantech subfloor. For various reasons it won’t be enclosed for about 2 months. We recently got a good bit of rain and mold has already formed on the underside of the subfloor. The basement/crawl is designed as a conditioned space so no vents.my question is can we […]
I am a student creating an ADU located in Maine, Portland. We have a complex system which we divided into two: the sloped windows and the gliding door system. Kawneer is a commercial manufacturer that we are considering for our design. We are using HSS 6″ by 6″ for the structural opening of the windows […]
Q&A Spotlight The desire for exterior insulation is complicated by overhangs and bay windows By Chuck Bickford | November 3, 2025 An exterior overhang is only one complication on the path to a deep energy retrofit. The term deep energy retrofit (DER) can make even the most seasoned homeowners or contractors nervous. It’s an ambitious […]
Hi Everyone, I’m starting design and builder interviews for a custom home in Oakland County, MI (Climate Zone 5A) — a 1-acre clearing on a heavily wooded 15-acre parcel. The goal is to build about 25 % better than current code following Pretty Good House principles: comfort, durability, reasonable cost, and solid building science rather […]