Specific project advise – GreenBuildingAdvisor

I just found green building advisor and have already planned my project and am hearing different stories from contractors. I just thought I’d check the information from contractors.

Overview : 1970s home

1. Baths and Kitchen gutted

2. Finish off garage

3. New Attic insulation

4. New Windows

Insulation :

I am in CA climate zone 4 and intend to redo

– all new insulation in attic

– exterior wall bathroom insulation

– garage wall insulation (half connected to living space and the other half to external walls)

I plan to use Rockwool. Do I need faced or unfaced batts for each of these? And if faced should the vapor retarder (kraft paper) be on the conditioned space or facing out?

If I can’t get my hands on faced rockwool, what should i use for vapor retarder on the walls or attic (if needed)?

Windows :

I have a stucco exterior. For new nail fin windows is it better to use something like a Milgard 8130T with a 1 inch stucco key or 8140T (nail fin version) with wider ZBar 2in nail fin? And Why?

How much of a difference does internal or external trim help with energy efficiency and longevity of the window on my stucco walls? And why?

Is there a big advantage to having the trims installed with the window vs having a GC come in and do the trims? And why?