Walls and Roofs

Roof assemblies - new construction

Why roofs need to be ventilated and how to ventilate a roof properly

Roofs - all homes have them in one form or another, and they're a potential cause of all manner of problems effecting the durability and performance of homes. Roof ventilation needs to be adapted to the type of roof and the climate. It is pretty much inevitable that at least some warm, moist air from living areas…

Windows and doors

Suspended-film insulating glass windows - A definitive guide for these high-performance windows

High-performance suspended-film insulating glass windows may offer the perfect solution of window performance, window cost & window weight. As early versions of suspended coated film windows had issues, we took another look & review the LiteZone units. Why suspended-film insulating glass windows may be a…

Insulation and soundproofing

How much insulation is too much in attics and walls?

There will come a point where the cost of insulation in any attic, wall or basement - and the energy required to manufacture and transport it - will outweigh any savings. Want to find out where that point is. Home insulation - how much is too much? A House can definitely be under-insulated (millions of homes…

Windows and doors

Product feature: window film treatment to reflect heat and lower air conditioning bills

Passive cooling techniques such as reflective window films can increase comfort, home durability and lower energy bills at the same time. E xtreme summer temperatures pose a very real health risk to the most vulnerable members of society. There are some tips to help keep a home cool during a heat wave , but faced…

Insulation and soundproofing

Does plastic foam or Styrofoam insulation have a place in green building?

Which type of insulation is best for reducing emissions and safely mitigating climate change? There may be a case to be made for EPS rigid insulation. Are foam insulation panels a green choice? The short story is, maybe. And the long story is, well.... When we launched Ecohome about a decade ago, our mission was to…

Insulation and soundproofing

Non-toxic natural building insulation made of grass

Natural insulation materials such as hemp insulation, cellulose (including grass based), wood fiber, straw and cotton act as carbon storage and reduce embodied energy and carbon footprint of homes & buildings. Natural building insulation materials In order to combat the climate change impact of the built…

Walls and Roofs

The easiest way to insulate walls from the exterior in older homes

Fitting extra insulation to an older home when renovating can be a great idea, but when insulating exterior walls from the outside take care to do it right. Ecohome investigates the easiest ways to retro-fit insulation to walls. How to insulate house walls from the outside Adding extra insulation to the exterior…

Walls and Roofs

Condensation on windows is a pain but is it a problem & how to stop it?

Condensation on windows is a pain in winter and runs down the wall can mean hidden issues in our homes - What causes fogged up windows, how big a problem is it and, most importantly, how do we stop it. Condensation on windows – is it bad? It’s that time of year when condensation on windows becomes a pain, we wake up…

Air and vapour barriers

What is a blower door test? What's the cost? How do you find a company to do one?

A blower door test identifies air leakage in a home; you can find and fix those air leaks for a more airtight, mold & rot-free and energy-efficient sustainable green home. What is a blower door test? Blower door tests are becoming part of many State and Provincial mandatory building codes - the new BC Energy Step…

Wall assemblies - new construction

Larsen truss wall systems with double-stud construction & extra insulation for new homes & energy efficient home renovation

Larsen truss wall systems are ideal for improving wall insulation when renovating homes & for building new homes with high performance insulation systems & double-stud walls. Larson truss wall systems for new green home building & renovations for max wall insulation A Larsen Truss is a type of lightweight & non…

Air and vapour barriers

Aerobarrier home and attic air-sealing spray

Aerobarrier is a non-toxic acrylic spray that quickly and affordably seals air leaks in attics and homes. We cannot overstate the importance of airtightness in homes and attic rooms. A proper air barrier reduces heat loss in winter, overheating in summer, and prevents moisture build up in walls which can lead to…