Walls and Roofs

Windows and doors

Installing doors & windows for the best performance in high efficiency homes, LEED & Passive House

Top tips for installing windows & doors to prevent water leaks & air infiltration, helping them perform better & last longer, especially in LEED, Passive House & ZNE homes. The importance of installing doors and windows correctly: Window and door openings are breaches in a building envelope that need to be carefully…

Wall assemblies - new construction

Dense-packed cellulose insulation wall systems

Dense-packed cellulose insulation in double stud walls offers high performance while maintaining a low carbon footprint. Here we bust some of the unfortunate myths and misunderstandings surrounding this type of wall construction. Dense-packed cellulose insulation - the history In 2005, Metric Homes of Carp, Ontario…

Insulation and soundproofing

Properly insulating basements and concrete slab floors

The importance of properly insulating basements cannot be stressed enough. Uninsulated basements and poorly insulated basements can be responsible for as much as 1/3 of the total heat loss of a home. How much insulation does a basement floor need? Insulating a basement is a great idea if it wasn't insulated when…

Insulation and soundproofing

Controlling sound transmission in buildings

Before attempting to improve a wall or floor, it is essential to assess the situation to try to identify the major cause of the inadequate sound isolation. Unnecessary alterations can be a waste effort and money. The first step to controlling sound transmission in buildings is assessing the situation. What kind of…

Insulation and soundproofing

Understanding sound transmission in buildings

Sound transmission in multi-unit dwellings and single family homes can affect quality of life. Learn how to prevent it. Before embarking on any structural changes, it is most important to understand that the sound isolation between two homes is not determined only by the common wall or floor. All the other parts of…

Insulation and soundproofing

How insulation works

Understanding how insulation works is best achieved by first understanding the way heat loss occurs in homes. How does home insulation work? Insulation slows the rate of heat transfer, helping keep homes warmer in winter and cooler in summer. Nothing stops heat from moving, but it moves slower through some materials…

Wall assemblies - new construction

Lumber choices for wood frame construction - choosing timber for framing & building homes

Solid wood & various wood-based products are used for framing, insulating & finishing homes. Here is how to choose different lumber products for framing & their proper construction applications when building houses. Framing lumber choices for building homes Framing lumber, also known as structural wood, is the grade…

Wall assemblies - new construction

Modern straw bale SIPS construction: high performance, durable, affordable & interesting

Straw bale SIPS (Structural Insulated Panels) have all the benefits of traditional straw bale homes, but address all the risks. Straw bale homes, are they any good? Traditional straw bale home construction can be a low-tech and affordable route to a very ecologically responsible home . There are, however, some…

Wall assemblies - renovation

Green home improvements: an energy-saving pyramid scheme that actually works!

There are a number of ways you can up the efficiency of your home without spending much money. Here are our top 10 energy-saving home improvement tips with the greatest return. The best tips to save money and reduce bills? First of all, the best way to reduce bills & save money is to spend as little as possible for…

Air and vapour barriers

Interior sheathing as an air and vapor barrier

3/4 inch OSB sheathing on the interior can be an excellent air barrier and a great vapor barrier as well. Taping sheathing as an air barrier for walls There has been a steady evolution in the way we build homes over the last couple of decades, and the old standby wall recipe of 2x6s, fiberglass insulation and…

Air and vapour barriers

Replacing polyethylene vapour barriers with latex paint vapor control

Vapor retarder latex based primers can be twice as effective as the requirements laid out in many building codes regarding vapor barriers requirements. Vapor barriers in walls, why polyethylene can be problematic It would probably surprise many home builders to hear what really causes moisture accumulation in walls…