Recent Comments and Answered Questions on Green Building Advisor

  • @Peter
    John Clark | Jun 20,2018 10:24 AM EDT
    Perhaps, but in my neck of the woods (Metro Atlanta) very few custom-built homes go up that have a GLA of less than 3k. Those that do go up are basically limited to infill urban lots. The ...
    Read More
  • What a great community. I
    | Jun 20,2018 10:19 AM EDT
    What a great community. I appreciate the quick replies!! I am very experienced contractor, having done several hundred helicals over the years. I feel confident in a traditional concrete ...
    Read More
  • half basement insulation
    Jared Weber | Jun 20,2018 10:06 AM EDT
    That handsome guy in the super-suit was painting the ceiling joists (which will be left exposed)... same guy will be doing the insulation... Thanks for your input. I guess I have a couple ...
    Read More
  • David, I'm having a similar
    Jeremy Good | Jun 20,2018 09:50 AM EDT
    David, I'm having a similar problem with open-cell SPF made by SWD Urethane. It was installed just over a month ago (mid-May) and we have a sweet chemical smell that's much more prominent when ...
    Read More
  • I wouldn't count on the
    Jon R | Jun 20,2018 09:46 AM EDT
    I wouldn't count on the occupant as a "heating facility" - a previously unoccupied closed door room is going to remain too cold for hours. Just install baseboard electric heat where the ...
    Read More
  • Gonzalo, most every story of
    Andy Chappell-Dick | Jun 20,2018 09:34 AM EDT
    Gonzalo, most every story of SIP failure can be traced to bad installation; your description of improper and absent air-sealing is the worst I've heard. I put up a SIP structure five years ago, ...
    Read More
  • As a general rule coolcalc
    Dana Dorsett | Jun 20,2018 09:32 AM EDT
    As a general rule coolcalc overestimates loads, often by 35%. A cooling load of 21.5K for a 1600' house is about a ton per 1000', which isn't unheard of, but somewhat bigger than average. A ...
    Read More
  • I was impressed after living
    Jon R | Jun 20,2018 09:28 AM EDT
    I was impressed after living in a SCIP house. But it's not popular in the US. You should have no problem finding people who can do poured concrete covered with rigid foam - probably at a lower ...
    Read More
  • Cheaper and quieter than a
    JAMES KREYLING | Jun 20,2018 09:25 AM EDT
    Cheaper and quieter than a fan-powered Cadet heater to fulfill code compliance, would be to hardwire in a basic electric baseboard on a thermostat. Easy to leave turned "off." In the bathroom, a ...
    Read More
  • +1 on using adhered
    Jon R | Jun 20,2018 09:19 AM EDT
    +1 on using adhered membrane/tape (both sides if possible) and not relying on just caulk or spray foam for air sealing.
    Read More
  • You should read resource
    Armando Cobo | Jun 20,2018 09:17 AM EDT
    You should read resource information from The Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety (IBHS). https://disastersafety.org
    Read More
  • It doesn't take a
    Dana Dorsett | Jun 20,2018 09:12 AM EDT
    It doesn't take a "Michaelangelo of shotcrete" to do SCIP- just about any in-ground swimming pool contractor could do the shotcrete part correctly. The bigger problem is finding experienced ...
    Read More
  • For Hurricane (and
    JAMES KREYLING | Jun 20,2018 08:51 AM EDT
    For Hurricane (and earthquake) resistance, and thermal comfort and airtightness, SIPS are excellent. But would not be best at levels subject to flooding. If a flood risk, first level should be ...
    Read More
  • Thanks Martin. I like the
    | Jun 20,2018 08:51 AM EDT
    Thanks Martin. I like the idea of concrete. I was in Puerto Rico a few years ago, and love the buildings with concrete roofs that somehow don't leak. But of course, they don't have to deal with ...
    Read More
  • Thanks Martin, I just put
    | Jun 20,2018 08:51 AM EDT
    Thanks Martin, I just put passagyrs in when I created my account as this is my email handle. My name is Gonzalo. While we were trying to figure the problem out I had done my own research online ...
    Read More
  • @Dan
    John Clark | Jun 20,2018 08:45 AM EDT
    Here's the data. https://www.census.gov/construction/nrc/pdf/quarterly_starts_completions.pdf https://www.census.gov/construction/nrc/definitions/index.html Take note of the definitions.
    Read More
  • GBA readers, In support of my
    Martin Holladay | Jun 20,2018 08:45 AM EDT
    GBA readers, In support of my program to reduce the number of confusing acronyms and abbreviations -- with the aim of beginning a conversation with an explanation, after which use of the acronym ...
    Read More
  • Russell, If you want to add 6
    Martin Holladay | Jun 20,2018 07:13 AM EDT
    Russell, If you want to add 6 inches to the exterior of your wall -- for example, to create more shade for your innie windows -- you can. But the best way to do that is with insulation, not an ...
    Read More
  • I'm very sorry for the
    russell boudreau | Jun 20,2018 06:49 AM EDT
    I'm very sorry for the confusion and grateful that you have offered your help. Ill try to get my thoughts better organized and maybe get a few sketches uploaded if I can. Since the double skin ...
    Read More
  • Russell, I'm more confused
    Martin Holladay | Jun 20,2018 06:41 AM EDT
    Russell, I'm more confused than ever. In your original post, you wrote, "The basic idea is keep existing 2x6 rafters and use Larsen truss for risers and dense pack." In your latest comment, ...
    Read More
Register for a free account and join the conversation


Get a free account and join the conversation!
Become a GBA PRO!