Blog
Hello Folks, We’re taking on the challenge of building our first home and garage in the Northeast (climate zone 6a), and doing our best to keep costs low while still making sure the structures are solid and durable. My questions are about whether reclaimed, irregularly sized plywood can be safely used for sheathing and subflooring—especially […]
I would love to get the community’s opinion on fixing a leaky bulkhead. The grading nearby slopes down to it, and that is not really changeable. Its top couple of feet is an old, cracking, rotting mix of brick, concrete and pressure treated wood. I’m thinking remove the door, dig down a foot or two […]
Hey Everyone! I am working on an 20×24 ft Studio ADU build here in Oklahoma (Climate Zone 3A) and have been researching a lot on this forum and podcast and decided I should join the community! The current problem I am facing I could use your feedback on is determining where to place our mini […]
Curious if I’m overthinking my heating need for my basement renovation. 115′ perimeter, 50% above grade, all walls R15 closed cell, 7′ ceilings with new 4″ poured slab, 85sf of replacement R3 windows and a door. We run a 125k steam boiler with insulated pipes, that certainly throws off some heat. Call it 75 BTU/degree […]
It would be helpful if you provided more details. – Where are your goals? Comfort? Reducing energy bills? Code compliance? – Where are you located? – What is the house like? (age, overall construction quality) – What is the roof like? (simple gable, chopped up lots of hips, etc.) > And the fact that I […]
Any advice would be appreciated . Had a wireless internet line installed and buried next to my foundation , well it was placed on the ground because its path was not completly covered with dirt . We had some rain and water made its way under my foundation . I know because my tile floor […]
Energy-Smart Details Each individual component has their own challenges, combining all three requires proper planning and execution By Grant Baver | June 23, 2025 More Energy-Smart Details Building codes are moving towards the use of continuous exterior insulation and drainable rainscreen systems. Moving beyond drainable rainscreens, vented rainscreens can add even more durability to a […]
I’m building an addition for a client and the concrete contractor let me know damp proofing the interior of the garage foundation walls is required by code. I looked at the code and it doesn’t specify whether to dampproof the outside or inside. I’ve seen this done on the inside of another garage in a […]