Walls and Roofs

Exterior cladding

Choosing the right exterior siding for fitting, cost comparisons & appearance

Top Tips for choosing the best siding for your house - comparisons of siding products with cost, durability, ease of installation & attractiveness - because balancing performance with cost and appearance is important. Siding is important! There is no stage of home construction that you should rush through, but if…

Windows and doors

Choosing windows - which window frame? wood v aluminum v vinyl

The energy efficiency of your home is greatly affected by doors and windows, so choose well. Here are some tips about what to look for and what to avoid. Material choices for window frames: Window frames can be made from a variety of materials offering different levels of performance and insulation values. Air in…

Roof coverings

How to choose the best roofing materials

Choose durable roofing materials that will last through wind, precipitation and exposure to U.V rays. 1. Asphalt shingles: Asphalt shingles © Ecohome We’ll start with shingles to get it out of the way, because choosing an eco-friendly, durable roof covering starts first with dismissing any idea of installing asphalt…

Wall assemblies - new construction

Choosing a building envelope - starting with the perfect wall

When it comes to choosing a building envelope there are many variables to consider: what climate zone you're building in, performance, durability, health, comfort, and of course, cost. What is the best wall system for a home? We're frequently asked which is the perfect wall system for high-performance LEED , Passive…