Siding replacement opportunities for zone 5 (Massachusetts), older 1880s house – GreenBuildingAdvisor
We need to re-side our 2100sqft house 20mi outside of Boston. Original sheathing with cellulose blown into the walls. Windows were deleaded and restored and mostly work well (newer Harvey storm windows). I’ve read a bunch of articles about siding and exterior insulation, but am not sure if the recommendations have changed much since they […]
Hi, I’m working up the learning curve of planning out re-siding my Zone 4 PNW home. I’ll be adding house wrap, 2-3″ of exterior insulation, and a 3/4″ rain screen and just trying to nail down a few details: 1) House wrap – Going with self adhering. Can I expect a notable long term benefit […]
Hi, I have a 1500 ft2 house built in 1900 in coastal Rhode Island (climate zone 5A). The house has a rubble foundation in good condition with consistently mortared joints. The basement floor is an uneven, discontinuously poured “rat slab” of approx. 1-2” thickness, poured right on the dirt. I run a dehumidifier continuously, which […]
I just put a house under contract in climate zone 5A. I am planning a deep energy retrofit. I have been reading GBA and following the Unbuilt it crew and others for years now and am looking forward to over prioritizing the budget on the building envelope. I will be doing all the work myself. […]
Musings of an Energy Nerd Sixteen years after GBA was launched, it’s time for a retrospective view By Martin Holladay | August 1, 2025 Martin Holladay, Justin Fink, and Dan Morrison in 2012. Dan Morrison was Green Building Advisor’s first editor. [Photo credit: Karyn Patno] More Musings of an Energy Nerd When I began working […]
Senator Whitehouse Demands EPA Reverse Plan to Eliminate Climate Programs EPA plans to shut down key climate programs, including the Greenhouse Gas Reporting Program and Energy Star, sparking concerns over industry competitiveness, consumer costs, and transparency in emissions data. By Stasia DeMarco May 13, 2025 Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.), Ranking Member of the Senate Committee […]
The High Price of Politeness: Why Saying ‘Please’ to ChatGPT Costs Millions In a world racing toward automation, it turns out that good manners come at a price — a steep one. By John K Waters May 05, 2025 This story comes to us courtesy of our Coverge360/1105 Media sister publication, Pure AI (pureai.com). Earlier […]
Green Renovation Strategies for Commercial Spaces Smart renovations help businesses cut costs, boost comfort, and build a greener future—one upgrade at a time. By James Carter May 02, 2025 Sustainable building is no longer just nice to have. It is becoming a smart move for businesses of every size. Rising energy prices, tighter environmental rules, […]
I’m adding continuous exterior insulation to a 50 year old home in zone 5a. I work for a rural Habitat for Humanity affiliate so budget and accessible materials are challenges. I need a little help confirming if I’m on the right track with the wall I’m working with. The house has 2×4 walls with fiberglass […]
Hello! I’m scratching my head over the best way to insulate a roof in a renovation project. I’m in TN (Zone 4). First off, I am a big time opponent of spray foam. I am trying to figure out the best way to insulate a 2×8 vaulted ceiling while minimizing the use of spray foam. […]