Member Profile

Pros and Cons of an airtight house

A house needs to breathe, right? Yes, they do, but not the way most builders or homeowners think they do.  Many argue for a leaky house to allow the house to breathe.  That is one method to get fresh air. However, it is not the most cost-effective or healthiest method. The phrase “build tight and ventilate right”...

50% of the "perfect wall" control layers with one product

The only way to mainstream advanced building science concepts is to make them simple to install.  As we designed and are building the #1920sMakeoverATL, we have to work with readily available materials and keep in mind the skill set of the local labor force.  “Perfect Wall” summary   The concept of a perfect...

The “Perfect Wall” defined and demonstrated

We keep using the term “perfect wall” when describing the various control layers on the #1920sMakoverATL deep enegy retrofit and learning house.  This concept does deserve to be unpacked since it sounds like I am stating that a wall is perfecting level or plumb.   What is the “perfect wall”? The term...

What is a "water resistant barrier" (WRB), examples and misconceptions

A water-resistant barrier (WRB) is a material used in construction to prevent the intrusion of moisture into the interior of a building. It is an essential component of the building envelope, designed to protect the building from water damage, air infiltration, and heat loss. It is vapor open, meaning it has a perm rating so that moisture can...

What is ACH50, and why does it matter?

We have been making good progress on the #1920sMakeoverATL learning house. In some content we created about this project, we have thrown out the term ACH50 without explaining why it matters.   As our society becomes more aware of the importance of sustainability, green building practices are becoming increasingly popular.   One...

Hi-Velocity HVAC System for Modern Designed Homes

I worked with a high-velocity HVAC system attached to a ground source heat pump a decade ago.  We had to use this system because the architect did not leave us any room for ductwork, so the four-inch ducts that were part of the high-velocity system design were ideal for our project. The client liked the system because the air...

Buildings need to dry- not breathe!

Hopefully, by now, most people understand that "Build tight/ ventilate right" is how most green building programs require you to build.  Less understood is the necessity for buildings to "dry out." In most climate zones, you DON'T want to wrap your building facade in plastic or some material with zero perms. ...

There are more to toilets than just low flow

When low-flow toilets were introduced to the market decades ago, they were a complete failure.  Toilet manufacturers took older models and changed a few parts to be compliant.  I even remember in the '90s, people installed the compliant model, and after the inspections, they would change them out to the model "that...

Top 5 reason induction cooking is safer than cooking with gas

Induction cooking is superior to gas in many ways, and manufacturers are realizing this and adapting according. In 2021, Zline added induction cooktops to their appliance offerings. When I met them in 2020, they had some nice hoods and design-grade gas ranges.  Now they are offering induction because high-end consumers are becoming more aware...

"Going Green" is cool again?

Observations at the 2023 International Builder's Show. I noticed a new theme at the International Builder's Show this year.  All exhibitors made a point to tell me about their innovations related to climate change and politics.   I even saw some booths themed with all-green building facts and figures. This is not...