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kestrelcourtstudy
7 Minutes of BS (Building Science)
What separates a good exterior insulation system from a great one: fewer layers, less thermal bridging, lightweight claddings, and a dedicated air and water barrier at the sheathing...
March 12, 2026
Fatal flashing problems
Frequent roofing mistakes—like bad flashing, lazy nailing, and reverse-layering illustrate why correct roofing installation matters: water damage.
Nov. 12, 2025
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Some original bones and mashed-up meat make a door whose secret is safe.
Oct. 31, 2025
In a Radiant Slab, Where Does the Plastic Go?
It goes over the foam: concrete is the primary air and radon barrier, while plastic is the vapor barrier.
Oct. 29, 2025
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Minisplit heat pumps provide heating and cooling to room-size spaces. Place the head where it will wash the space with air and place the condenser where it won't obstruct traffic...
March 20, 2026
Drywall Solutions: Uplift, Arches, and Movable Joints (Building Resilience)
How modern drywall beads prevent cracks, create crisp corners, and reduce warranty issues
Sept. 8, 2025
Square Channel Siding from James Hardie on Building Resilience 2024
Installing a new siding product that sits flat on the wall, locks together, and sports crisp square channels: Square Channel from James Hardie's Artisan collection
April 14, 2025
Seal Leaks from a Distance with GreatStuff WIDE (Building Resilience)
A one-part canned foam that can seal wide swaths of leaky assemblies, like rim joists and CMU.
March 10, 2025
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Drainage and airspace allows liquid water to drain out and air to circulate
April 27, 2026
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​​​​​​​Deep overhangs need cantilevered support outlooks that tie into the roof framing
April 9, 2026
Roof Truss Uplift: How it Works and How to Solve It
Two ways to avoid truss uplift problems: floating drywall corners and using backing angles
Sept. 18, 2025
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In previous summations, we illustrated how to calculate hip and valley rafters for a basic hip roof. We also identified the leading cause of humpy hips: High Heels. Or heel height...
June 12, 2025
Pocket hole joints featuring various clamping methods for use with pocket hole screws
Learn how to optimize pocket hole joinery with practical tips on material consistency, edge preparation, and versatile clamping techniques for professional results.
April 13, 2026
Tick Stick: The Carpentry Tool That Does the Impossible
Scott Wadsworth shares his experience with the tick stick, showcasing its effectiveness in creating custom shapes and accurately fitting materials, even in challenging scenarios...
April 7, 2026
Introducing Deck2wall® Spacers
Joe Ghiringhelli of Deck2wall explains how proper water management at deck ledger connections prevents rot and costly repairs, emphasizing the importance of correct installation...
March 30, 2026